Is this Britain's heaviest police officer? Large sergeant seen marshalling protesters at NHS rally Sergeant Andy Sharp was snapped escorting protesters in central London Recruits have to pass fitness tests when they join but no requirements for non-specialist officers to complete tests once they are in the job Policemen and women have to be in good shape to catch criminals every day. But judging by this photo of Sergeant Andy Sharp, his undoubted competence does not include chasing down a fleet-footed crook. The heavyweight Metropolitan Police officer was spotted marshalling a row of protesters campaigning against cuts to the National Health Service (NHS). On the beat: Sergeant Andy Sharp marshalling campaigners at a march in central London Sporting a hi-vis jacket, he was pictured escorting marchers crossing Waterloo Bridge in London last month. One onlooker said: 'How can he possibly chase and catch crooks? This chap wouldn't be able to scale walls and nick anyone - he'd be out of breath in seconds. 'He's not a good example of a lean, mean police machine. He looks more like the caricature of the jolly laughing policeman. 'I can't believe he's passed all the health tests cops must have to go through.' At the moment recruits have to pass fitness tests when they join but there are no requirements for non-specialist officers to complete tests once they are in the job. Sgt Andy Sharp marshals protesters on a London NHS march last month A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'For serving police officers, there is not a requirement for a regular fitness test. However, we are confident that all operational police officers have the required levels of physical fitness to carry out their duties safely and effectively. All operational officers up to Chief Inspector level undertake regular refresher courses in officer safety training and must possess the minimum standard of fitness required for officer safety training. According to a survey of 2,000 members of staff working for the Metropolitan Police, just 35 per cent were of normal weight with 44 per cent overweight, 19 per cent obese and one per cent morbidly obese. John Tully, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: 'In general terms the Federation agree that officers should be fit for the role they perform. In the MPS, all operational Constables to Chief Inspectors have to perform regular officer safety training, clearly those officers taking part in safety training must have a minimum standard of fitness. This year it was announced that police officers are to be forced to take new fitness tests - and will have their pay slashed if they fail. A review of policing called for running tests and assault course-style assessments to ensure officers can carry on chasing criminals. Anyone who could not meet minimum fitness standards - including the most senior officers - would face pay cuts and ultimately dismissal.