Moment four female Chicago police officers spend three minutes trying to arrest 'shoplifter' who easily escaped...as commenters' claim the women's WEIGHT stopped them performing their duties

Video posted on social media of four female Chicago police officers attempting to arrest a suspected shoplifter has sparked backlash over the department's health and fitness standards.

Footage shows the attempted arrest on 95th Street and Ashland Avenue where the four female officers outnumbered one male suspect.

The Chicago police officers approached the suspect and he emptied out his pockets when they start to detain him.

As the officers tried to put a pair of handcuffs on the man, he repeatedly broke free from their clutches.

The four officers pinned the suspect against a wall, but were still unable to get the handcuffs on him. Police scanner audio revealed one of the officers defeatedly asking for backup during the incident. She sounded out of breath.

Despite being outnumbered, the suspect managed to break free from the officers and ran off.

Out of breath, an officer is heard on police radio traffic describing the situation as the suspect runs away, 'he's taking off.' 

As the suspect fled, a semi-truck pulled through the intersection and blocked the surveillance camera. 

Additional audio from the attempted arrest revealed a dispatcher told the officers to let the suspect go.

'If we can't contain him and it's just a retail theft, let him go,' a dispatcher said.

The video sparked outrage online and commenters questioned if the fitness abilities of the officers limited their ability to arrest the man.

'This is what happens when you get rid of the health and fitness standards, and introduce quotas,' said a Twitter user named Joe.

'They can't do the job. This is a fitness issue,' said Frank. 

Eve said, 'Do they even have health and fitness standards anymore? This was painful to watch.'

According to the Chicago Police Department website, during the application process candidates take a Police Officer Wellness Evaluation Report test, which includes a sit-and-reach test, one-minute sit-up test, one repetition maximum bench press and a one-and-a-half mile timed run.

Data from the week ending on November 23, shows total crime in the city is up 20 percent year to date, according to the Chicago Police Department.

Robbery in the city is up 24 percent, theft is up 4 percent and motor vehicle theft is up 50 percent this year.

Residents have begged the city's recently elected mayor Brandon Johnson to do more to curb the rising crime.

Earlier in November, a pregnant woman shared her fears that she had miscarried after being carjacked at gun point in the Dem-led city.