Forget crime, FBI agents to fight the flab

THEY’RE used to solving the most complex crimes, but FBI agents now have an entirely new threat to deal with – their ever-expanding waistlines.

The US agency has been forced to introduce compulsory fitness tests for its officers to ensure they are in good enough shape to do the job.

Those who fail will have the marks noted in their files, which could see them taken off assignments that involve physical activity.

FBI chief James Comey has introduced the tests amid fears his 135,000 employees’ weight and fitness is slipping – particularly as the rise of cyber crime means they spend longer sitting at desks. He told agents: ‘The lives of your colleagues and those you protect may well depend upon your ability to run, fight and shoot.’

New recruits to the FBI have to take a fitness test, but for the last 16 years have not had to undergo any further checks.

As part of the new annual test, male agents under the age of 30 will have to run a mile in twelve-and-a-half minutes and sprint 300 metres in 59 seconds. They must also perform 24 press-ups without stopping and do 35 sit-ups in a minute.

Older agents will be given more time to complete the exercises, with a man in his 50s allowed just over 15 minutes for the mile-long run and 83 seconds for the sprint. The criteria are also different for women.

According to the New York Times, which obtained an internal memo from Mr Comey outlining the new regime, few agents have rushed to complete this year’s test – which must be carried out before October.

In the Washington DC office, only 75 out of the 800 agents have taken it so far.