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Hundreds of police officers fail fitness test Hundreds of police officers fail fitness test
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of police officers in England and Wales failed a fitness test due to become mandatory later this year.Hundreds of police officers in England and Wales failed a fitness test due to become mandatory later this year.
Interim results submitted to the College of Policing from 39 forces show that 851 officers fell short of the mark - out of 30,000 tests.Interim results submitted to the College of Policing from 39 forces show that 851 officers fell short of the mark - out of 30,000 tests.
Of those who failed the test, 253 were male and 598 female.Of those who failed the test, 253 were male and 598 female.
The national police lead for fitness testing, ACC Rob Price, said the results showed the vast majority of officers tested were fit.The national police lead for fitness testing, ACC Rob Price, said the results showed the vast majority of officers tested were fit.
The fitness test involves officers reaching a certain level during a 15-metre "bleep test". The "bleep test" is so called because it requires officers to carry out shuttle runs between two markers at a speed which gradually gets faster, and is dictated by a bleep.The fitness test involves officers reaching a certain level during a 15-metre "bleep test". The "bleep test" is so called because it requires officers to carry out shuttle runs between two markers at a speed which gradually gets faster, and is dictated by a bleep.
Police in Scotland are currently required to pass three tests within two years of becoming an officer.
Those failing to meet the necessary standard are given one further attempt to pass within six weeks.
'Encouraging results'
Humberside and Northumbria Police were the only two forces that boasted a 100% pass rate for both male and female officers.Humberside and Northumbria Police were the only two forces that boasted a 100% pass rate for both male and female officers.
The worst failure rates were seen in by police forces in Suffolk (7%), the West Midlands (5.8%), West Mercia and Warwickshire (5.6%), and Gwent (5.5%).The worst failure rates were seen in by police forces in Suffolk (7%), the West Midlands (5.8%), West Mercia and Warwickshire (5.6%), and Gwent (5.5%).
Data is still not available for the Metropolitan Police, the country's largest force, or for forces in Lancashire, Gloucestershire and Cumbria.Data is still not available for the Metropolitan Police, the country's largest force, or for forces in Lancashire, Gloucestershire and Cumbria.
The new fitness testing, which will become compulsory in September, was brought in after recommendations made by Chief Inspector of Constabulary Tom Winsor.The new fitness testing, which will become compulsory in September, was brought in after recommendations made by Chief Inspector of Constabulary Tom Winsor.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Price of Kent Police said: "The results to date are encouraging and show the vast majority of officers tested are fit."Assistant Chief Constable Rob Price of Kent Police said: "The results to date are encouraging and show the vast majority of officers tested are fit."
The current guidelines expect officers to reach a score of 5.4 on the bleep test (four shuttles each within approximately 6.9 seconds), while for some kinds of specialist officers the standards are higher.The current guidelines expect officers to reach a score of 5.4 on the bleep test (four shuttles each within approximately 6.9 seconds), while for some kinds of specialist officers the standards are higher.