City cops weight and watch

Bermuda policeman and cricketer Dwayne Leverock’s catch gives Mumbai cops hope

MUMBAI: This is one catch that is keeping Mumbai cops happy. When the 260-lb, potbellied Bermuda policeman and part-time cricketer Russell Dwayne Mark ‘Sluggo’ Leverock exploded off his feet to pouch a blinder of a snick from Indian opener Robin Uthappa, and then rushed to the boundary blowing kisses to all and sundry in the crowd, Mumbai’s very own overweight and potbellied cops suddenly felt light.

“I saw the catch taken by Leverock. As a cop I felt very proud as he’s from the same fraternity. People who are overweight in our department should take lessons from his alertness and fitness,” Additional Commissioner of Police (West), Bipin Bihari told DNA.

And Bihari is already making his overweight colleagues hit the roads with a vengeance. He has asked all police personnel in his zone to move around in neighbourhoods and localities by foot and in groups.

First, the public will see the people in uniforms among themselves and say ‘hello’ to them. And second, the policemen will become more agile and fit like Leverock,” says Bihari.

Bihari’s move has enthused top bosses and colleagues alike. “This is a good move as policemen have to be fit. In fact, for longer distances they can use cycles, which will make them fit and alert,” Maharashtra Director General of Police P S Pasricha told DNA.  Among police circles, despite his girth, Pasricha is considered a fitness fanatic and jogs five kilometres every morning.

Senior Police Inspector, Juhu, Pradeep Shinde is pleasantly surprised at what one outstanding catch can do to improve the collective fitness levels of the Mumbai police force. “This is a good move. After watching that catch I am doing my exercises regularly. Moreover, when we go out as a group walking it builds confidence in the people and they directly interact with us. I am sure it will make me more fit in the days to come.”

Shinde’s colleague Inspector Ramkishen Raingutwar of Oshiwara Police Station isn’t too enthused about the move to walk the streets, but isn’t complaining. “The top bosses have introduced it. And we have to do and are doing it,” he says.

Priti Shekhar, a housewife from Juhu-Versova Link Road, is happy that the World Cup, despite India’s humiliating exit, is doing some good for the city. “If Leverock can show such alertness and fitness despite being potbellied and overweight, why can’t our cops match him? At least the World Cup is putting the fitness spirit into our cops. This should have been done earlier. Moreover, with cops walking the streets, the public will feel reassured,” she says.

Next time you see an overweight and potbellied cop walking your streets, and politely enquiring about your well-being, you know whom to thank for it.