Just two per cent of officers have failed their fitness test according to figures released by the College of Policing today.
The figures show an average pass rate of 98 per cent based on a total of 93,956 tests carried out between September 2014 and August 2015.
“These figures show that the vast majority of police officers are physically fit to perform their duties and serve the public,” says Jim Mallen, chairman of Bedfordshire Police Federation.
While compulsory fitness testing was introduced nationwide in 2014, the job-related fitness test had been used in Bedfordshire from about five years earlier. Robust processes are in place – including training or referral to the occupational health unit for a bespoke test if appropriate – to help officers meet the standards required to pass.
Nevertheless Jim expressed concern after the national figures revealed women and older officers were more likely to fail the test and said there must be fairness and equality in the fitness tests.
