WA police officers are being subsidised for having gastric-banding stomach surgery.
Under the initiative, the WA Police force will reimburse half the cost of the procedure up to a maximum of $2,000.
A spokesman for the Police Commissioner says out of the 5,700 officers in WA, only a handful have taken up the initiative since it was introduced late last year.
He says officers have to undergo a comprehensive health check prior to the procedure to qualify for the subsidy.
WA Police Executive Director Greg Italiano says the agreement is a worthwhile investment in improving the health of police officers with obesity related chronic illnesses.
Police Union President Russell Armstrong says it is a fantastic iniative.
"I think gastric banding is a fantastic breakthrough for people who are overweight and that's why we certainly give the Commissioner all the credit under the sun for doing such, I think, a fantastic thing for his staff," he said.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/07/2812445.htm