Police Fitness Test Proposals 'Too Tough'

Proposals to toughen up the basic police fitness test are coming under criticism for being too hard for many officers.

A recommendation in the 2012 Winsor report on the future of policing called for more rigorous exercises which test endurance and strength.

Currently, the annual mandatory test is the traditional timed bleep test - running to and fro on a 15-metre track up to a certain level.

It is often described as being too easy because it has a 97% pass rate.

A former detective superintendent with Suffolk Police, Chris Mayhew, agrees the test needs to change to ensure police officers are up to their job.

He said: "Their role is quite varied, from foot patrol - out for eight to 10 hours, possibly involved in chases, restraining people, carrying protective equipment.

"They do need a good level of fitness. I don't think this test is good enough to test that."

There are plans to replace the test with a much tougher one being used by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

It comprises several different obstacles on an assault course including a stair climb, a run across a balance beam, dragging a 39kg bag and climbing a 6ft wall.

It has to be completed three times in less than four minutes.

But while the basic test is criticised as too easy, the PSNI one is said to be too hard - especially on females, with only two in 10 passing.

Carl Errington, a personal safety and physical trainer with Suffolk and Norfolk Police, also has reservations about the practicalities of staging the proposed test.

He said: "It is very heavy on the time. The normal test we get through about 15 officers in around four minutes. With this one it's going to take that per officer - and it's a location issue as well.

"How many police training venues would be this size? Very few up and down the UK.

"I think we need to keep with the current job-related fitness test and see how it goes over the next two to three years."

The College of Policing, responsible for setting police tests, is considering the proposed changes.

Steve White, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: "The organisation supports the need for officers to keep fit, but also that forces the need to ensure proper help, advice and support for officers to pass the tests."