Police applicants should get ‘weight loss training’ as one in four are unfit

As many as one in four police applicants are “unfit” and should get help to lose weight says an obesity forum.

Police Scotland has been told to help overweight new recruits slim down rather than reject them. This comes after news a significant number of people were being knocked back for failing fitness tests.

Between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, 358 applicants to Police Scotland’s regular constabulary failed to meet the standard of fitness required.

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Compared to the previous year only 196 applicants were denied when they failed to meet the national standard. Already, Scottish applicants do not have to pass a fitness test like they do in England where they are compulsory. Instead, Scots are made to undergo several tests throughout their two-year probation.

The figures revealed that 44 probationary officers failed the fitness test in the 2021-22 period.

Tam Fry, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: “The police, like the military, should offer weight-loss training rather than lose aspiring recruits. Whilst training they should, of course, not be assigned frontline duties until, ultimately, they are fit for purpose. The police and recruits will feel better for it.”

The figures, released under freedom of information legislation, show that 1,218 applicants passed the fitness test in the past year.

A “bleep test” shuttle run where applicants run against the clock is used to assess fitness levels. The applicants are asked to run repeatedly between two markers placed 15 metres apart and the goal is to reach each marker at the sound of the beep.

The running test is usually held in an indoor gym hall, although applicants had to complete a timed 1.5-mile run outdoors last year.

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Superintendent Simon Wright, head of recruitment at Police Scotland, said: “Policing in Scotland is a highly rewarding career and all candidates are taken through a rigorous recruitment to ensure Police Scotland recruits the best talent from across the UK.

“Part of this process involves a fitness assessment, where a candidate’s readiness to take on the day-to-day role of a police officer is assessed. This is not a competition and is designed to evidence that the candidate is ready for our 12-week training programme and a career in Police Scotland. A very small number of those applying do not obtain the necessary level of fitness, but will be given appropriate support and invited to re-submit their application following a specified period of time.”

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