[jsalcedo]

Forget ballplayers. More than ever, police officers are juicing up to get an edge on perps—but at what price? Men's Health investigates.
By: Sabrina Rubin Erdely, Men's Health Illustration by: Eddie Guy

Officer Jimmy (not his real name) knew his steroid use was paying off when, one day, the Ohio policeman needed to wrestle a suspect to the ground—and the guy crumpled like a piece of wet cardboard. "It took no effort at all," Jimmy marvels. For Kevin, a military policeman, his steroid epiphany came as he was throwing a rowdy patron out of a Southern California bar: Kevin grabbed the guy by his belt and yanked him right out of his chair. "He landed about 2 feet behind me," he remembers. Former Suffolk County, New York, officer Tom Foley had a steroid moment of a different sort when, while vacationing in L.A., he was pumping iron at Muscle Beach—with visions of his idol, Arnold, dancing in his head—and spectators started taking his picture.

"It was unbelievable!" Foley exclaims with a bashful smile, holding up a framed photo from that session: a shot of his shirtless back, an explosion of finely cut lats and traps. Foley, 33, is seated on the back porch of his girlfriend's Long Island home, enjoying the simple pleasure of breathing free air. He's on his very first weekend furlough from prison, where he's nearing the end of a 3-year sentence. And while he's stayed in excellent shape behind bars, he's no longer Muscle Beach buff. "Yeah, it was amazing," Foley says, peering nostalgically at the photo. "And that was on 200 milligrams."

Good Cop, Bad Cop

Call them Juicers in Blue. With their rippling physiques and flair for battling bad guys, they call to mind a flesh-and-blood Justice League—or at least a casting call for a Van Damme movie. And these three men are hardly isolated examples. Cops have long been a hush-hush subset of anabolic steroid users, says Pennsylvania State University sports-science professor Charles Yesalis, Sc.D., author of The Steroids Game. "Most of the police officers I've known who have used these drugs consider them a tool of the trade."

The phenomenon cuts across the country: In recent years, cops in nine states have been accused of steroid-related crimes. Like the four Norman, Oklahoma, police officers whose steroid use was uncovered during a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation last fall, and who were fired. Or the Tampa, Florida, cop who gave a drug dealer a thousand Ecstasy tablets from a police-impounded car in exchange for steroids and was sentenced to 2 years in 2003. Or the Pennsylvania officer who in 2002 pleaded guilty to steroid possession—and to selling 'roids to two other cops.

Such incidents are sufficiently widespread that the DEA has published a pamphlet called Steroid Abuse by Law Enforcement Personnel, whose cover depicts two uniformed officers surrounded by floating syringes. Still, because juicing cops are a secretive subculture within a secretive subculture, experts have a hard time quantifying the problem. "Resoundingly, yes, I've heard many, many accounts of police officers taking steroids," says Harvard steroid specialist Harrison Pope, M.D., author of The Adonis Complex. "But it's impossible to put a number on it. Even if I got a federal grant to study this, I wouldn't be able to get that number, because of the veil of secrecy." Officer Jimmy, however, is less constrained. "Steroid use is very pervasive in law enforcement," insists the 26-year-old cop. "I'd say, of the cops I know, 20 percent to 25 percent of them are using."

Whatever the true tally, it raises the question of what this means for the average, mostly law-abiding civilian. The next time you're pulled over, will you be hassled by an officer raring for a fight? If a cop loses control in a fit of 'roid rage, will your township get slammed with a brutality lawsuit? And, experts speculate, do steroids render cops less effective at their jobs, making you less safe?

"It hasn't been studied enough, and we need to know more," says Larry Gaines, Ph.D., chairman of the criminal-justice department at California State University at San Bernardino and the author of one of the very few research papers about cops on steroids. "We don't have a sense of the scope of the problem. And it is a potential problem, because of the potential for violence."

Officer Jimmy sees the matter differently. Although he professes to feel conflicted about juicing—it is, after all, a felony to take anabolic steroids without a prescription—he thinks 'roids made him a better cop. "What law enforcement needs is a little testosterone," he says. "Every cop should do a cycle a year."


Rest of story

http://articles.health.msn.com/id/100111139

[Daniel T]

Nothing good can come of this thread.

[Lupinus]

Could be the blue.

Not to bash all cops, cause most cops I respect very much-

But a lot of people when they get a badge become supercop wieners that think they can do no wrong. An "I am the law" complex and think they are above it because they have a badge and can do what they like how they like.

All cops? No. A minority? Absoloutly. So please don't asume I am bashing all cops here. But a lot of guys become aholes when they get a badge. I know a few people who became cops. Some didn't change, some gained respect for the law, others well they became high and mighty people that I wouldn't bother with if all my other friends died.

[M-Rex]

What is the point of this thread, and what does it have to do with firearms?

[jsalcedo]

What is the point of this thread, and what does it have to do with firearms?

lol that is about the 4th time you've asked me that.

Ok.. cops on roids with guns..commiting felony drug offenses.

I don't want this thread to get out of hand I just thought it was interesting.

[TallPine]

"Steroid use is very pervasive in law enforcement," insists the 26-year-old cop. "I'd say, of the cops I know, 20 percent to 25 percent of them are using."
Well, that explains a lot, actually ;)

Remember, steroids and coffee cans don't mix :p :D

[Iain]

What does it explain?

[jsalcedo]

I really don't think steroids should be illegal. (doesn't do much good does it?)

Steroid abuse by on-duty cops may be a problem due to roid rage.

I'm not sure how this may sound but I really wouldn't want a juiced up cop or anyone else handling firearms in a stressful situation.

[Biker]

Much to do about nothing. I'm told that just about any 'roid problem can be dealt with by the proper application of Preparation-H.:evil:
Biker

[TallPine]

What does it explain?
It would explain the behavior of about 20 - 25 % of our cops. ;)

[BigRobT]

I was studying MN State Law for our CCW here. If one is on steroids, even Dr. prescribed ones, they CANNOT carry. Period. I'm not so sure as the reasoning why. Possibly because it could make one more aggressive?? If that's the case, why should ANY LEO be allowed to do steroids and be allowed to carry a gun ?? Seems like an inconsistency, IMHO.

[jsalcedo]

why should ANY LEO be allowed to do steroids and be allowed to carry a gun ?? Seems like an inconsistency, IMHO.

They are commiting felonies by taking the steroids.

[BigRobT]

They are commiting felonies by taking the steroids.
Not necessarily. One could have a hormone problem and require medical treatment. Regardless, let's assume for the moment that the steroids ARE legally dispensed. It would STILL be a violation of MN State Law for a CCW holder to carry. What difference does it make if the person carrying a gun is a civilian or LEO when it comes to this issue?? Either person could still be subject to "roid rage".

[Iain]

Hold on a second, before we start discussing cops with 'roid rage' we should probably discuss whether or not roid rage is a real phenomenon.

I'm no endocrinologist, but it strikes me that the commonly understood 'facts' of steroid use come from the same sort of sources as the commonly understood 'facts' of all illegal drug use.

[Eisande]

"It would explain the behavior of about 20 - 25 % of our cops."

and folks wonder why threads like this start

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=170877

1/4 of police use steroids? Please, can any more irresponsible unverified information be spewed?

honestly, if someone made the crack about the number of overweight unfit officers they see, that might be worthy of some discussion, but this thread is way off.

Not saying that there aren't officers who don't abuse steroids.

[TallPine]

1/4 of police use steroids? Please, can any more irresponsible unverified information be spewed?

From the original article:
"Steroid use is very pervasive in law enforcement," insists the 26-year-old cop. "I'd say, of the cops I know, 20 percent to 25 percent of them are using."

Which is what we were discussing IIRC ... :rolleyes:

[Lucky]

A few months ago the police chief and union leader made 2 statements in the same week, the first was that they were pushing for the ability to administer drug tests to people on the roadside, to test for a wide variety of substances. The second was to announce their opposition and thus cancellation to a plan for mandatory drug testing of officers.

I like the idea that you can take what you want as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else, the law seems to be moving towards that idea at a slow crawl. It sounds great to blame drugs, but I like the idea of blaming people. The excuse that you were not in control of your actions because of drug use is a poor excuse, for alcohol steroids meth, anything.

[jsalcedo]

Not necessarily. One could have a hormone problem and require medical treatment. Regardless, let's assume for the moment that the steroids ARE legally dispensed. It would STILL be a violation of MN State Law for a CCW holder to carry. What difference does it make if the person carrying a gun is a civilian or LEO when it comes to this issue?? Either person could still be subject to "roid rage".

Did you read the article?

It is about illegal steroid use.

Legal steroid use might have its own dangers but the discussion at hand is about illicit drug use.

[TarpleyG]

What is the point of this thread, and what does it have to do with firearms?
Every time someone on here mentions anything about cops, you step in and start with the accusations. It's getting REALLY annoying.

Greg

[12-34hom]

Make sure you post this over at TFL - Rich need a few more examples of Cop bashing on his site also.

Idiots.

12-34hom.

[Lupinus]

Remember, steroids and coffee cans don't mix
And you can't hae doughnuts without coffee

Bad cop, no doughnut! :neener:

[jsalcedo]

Make sure you post this over at TFL - Rich need a few more examples of Cop bashing on his site also.

Idiots.


Does THR need a new rule?

Ok how about no more talking about cops unless they save a kitten from a tree or do something heroic. :rolleyes:

Just because there might be some civil discourse regarding illegal steroid use by cops does not mean we are all cop bashing.

There are some serious issues being discussed here. Hows about attacking the argument instead of calling us idiots.

[junyo]

Make sure you post this over at TFL - Rich need a few more examples of Cop bashing on his site also.

Idiots.

12-34hom.And that my friends, is The High Road.

Why does anyone bother posting any topic even vaguely related to the actions of LEOs? The usual subjects always show up, whether to accuse cops of being Nazis or to accuse any critic of wanting to club cops like baby seals. Does it ever convince anyone on either side?

[Lupinus]

Make sure you post this over at TFL - Rich need a few more examples of Cop bashing on his site also.

Idiots.

12-34hom.
Oh how nice.

God forbid when a cop does something wrong someone calls him on it. Cause ya know, they are all overworked underpaid civil servants and model outstanding citizens. One would never do anything wrong, they are the law after all :rolleyes:

[M-Rex]

lol that is about the 4th time you've asked me that.

Ok.. cops on roids with guns..commiting felony drug offenses.

I don't want this thread to get out of hand I just thought it was interesting.

Well...it's probably the 4th time you've posted some non-firearm anti-cop thread. So, it really has nothing to do with firearms.

Put it up on Armed and Polite Society.

[M-Rex]

Every time someone on here mentions anything about cops, you step in and start with the accusations. It's getting REALLY annoying.

Greg

Well...ain't that just too bad.

[BigRobT]

Hey, don't get me wrong, I was a cop for a while. Steroids are a whole 'nother ball of wax in reference to drug use. Personally, I think it's a sad thing to use steroids because the long termed side effects can be devastating. I DO, however, understand their use. Cheating ?? Maybe. I'm 6'5" & 275, fairly solid. Take a cop that's 5'10", 190-200, he (or she) wouldn't stand much of a chance against someone my size in a purely physical confrontation.

JS: I was merely making reference to MN's CCW laws and civilians and making the comparison to cops. What they may be doing is illegal. I'm sure a random whiz quiz will catch it, eventually. And they will be disciplined. Apparently, you have little clue as to civil servants and the requirements they must meet. They are very similar to what the military requires, ESPECIALLY LEOS. Then again, there's ALWAYS the 10% rule. 10% of any unit, squad, etc will always screw up the rest of the unit, give them a bad name, etc.(sometimes it's even a lesser percentage)

[M-Rex]

Does THR need a new rule?

Ok how about no more talking about cops unless they save a kitten from a tree or do something heroic. :rolleyes:

Just because there might be some civil discourse regarding illegal steroid use by cops does not mean we are all cop bashing.

There are some serious issues being discussed here. Hows about attacking the argument instead of calling us idiots.

How's about you stop your late night searches for obscure anti-cop articles and then posting them here endlessly, for the sole purpose of generating anti-cop froth?

Just an idea.

[Alex45ACP]

How's about you stop your late night searches for obscure anti-cop articles and then posting them here endlessly, for the sole purpose of generating anti-cop froth?

Just an idea.

"Legal and Political - Get informed on issues affecting the right to keep and bear arms and other civil rights."

If you don't like it no one's forcing you to read it.

[M-Rex]

Oh how nice.

God forbid when a cop does something wrong someone calls him on it. Cause ya know, they are all overworked underpaid civil servants and model outstanding citizens. One would never do anything wrong, they are the law after all :rolleyes:

God forbid that anyone point out that all those overworked underpaid civil servants are actually NOT committing attrocities by the dozen, nor are they out raping, pillaging, and plundering.

[M-Rex]

"Legal and Political - Get informed on issues affecting the right to keep and bear arms and other civil rights."

If you don't like it no one's forcing you to read it.

What does it have to do with firearms? Conversely, what part of it is not simply to bash cops.....yet again?

[Lupinus]

God forbid that anyone point out that all those overworked underpaid civil servants are actually NOT committing attrocities by the dozen, nor are they out raping, pillaging, and plundering.
Maybe because we already know they exist and don't warrent an article bringing it to light?

Cops are human, they do bad things on occasion. And when they do certian things it warrents mention. If you don't like them, don't read them otherwise say something useful rather then considering it cop bashing everytime someone says something you don't like about police officers.

[Alex45ACP]

What does it have to do with firearms? Conversely, what part of it is not simply to bash cops.....yet again?

Once again:

"Legal and Political - Get informed on issues affecting the right to keep and bear arms and other civil rights."

[M-Rex]

Once again:

"Legal and Political - Get informed on issues affecting the right to keep and bear arms and other civil rights."


Once again...and I'll use small words to give you a leg up.

What

does

it

have

to

do

with

guns?

[Lupinus]

What does it have to do with firearms? Conversely, what part of it is not simply to bash cops.....yet again?
Maybe because it is in legal and political and not everything is gun related that gets posted?

Lets see-

WI Assembly vote on CCW bill
Where's Team America (Anti-Fur Nuts on Larry King)
Fallen soldiers shipped home as freight
al Qaeda losing support in Iraq
Immigration Hits Five-Year High, Report Says
Saddam protesting his trial
Need US state-by-state crime rankings
Activists urging firms not to hire illegal immigrants

Just a few from the front page of this forum with either nothing at all to do with guns or at best guns only have an underlying tone to a more direct story. How bout you go bother those threads with this "whats this have to do with guns" crapola. How bout all the BOB threads in stratagies and tactics? Not every single thing here is 100% directly about guns. When someone brings to light something bad a cop does it isn't bashing. It's showing people something that happened. I have yet to see a single post here blanketing cops as bad guys, only one here taking it that way is you with nothing even remotly of value to the topic.

Just a little PS- And all the drug or political party threads to boot have zip to do with guns.

[Sindawe]

"At some point, I had to be real with myself," he says. "I wanted to be big for personal reasons." Not for survival or self-protection. Not to be some kind of superhero. "If I really wanted to be a great officer, I would go to the shooting range every week. But I don't have time," he explains. "Actually, last time around, I barely qualified in my shooting. But I still didn't go to the range," Jimmy adds, then jokes, "I was too busy going to the gym." ***? Here we have an individual who is entrusted and charged with using lethal force to protect society at large if needed, and he can barely qualify on the range because he's too freaking busy at the gym?

[Lupinus]

Good catch Sind.

I'd rather know he can shoot the guy who has taken me hostage without hitting me then knowing he can tackle the guy after my lifeless body is on the ground with a bullet in my head.

Seems more and more cops care less and less about their guns and shooting skills, if it was up to me they would have a manditory thousand rounds a month of practice and much stricter qualifying. And if they fail they get stuck on a desk untill they can learn to hit the long side of a barn. I'd rather a fat cop that can shoot then a beefy cop that can't do squat.

[pax]

It would have been nice if we could have discussed the article and its ramifications (if true).

Instead, we discussed what a terrible place THR is, how evil and/or stupid all the other posters are, and which other sites might benefit from this wonderful love-fest.

Closed.

pax