Written question asked by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 11 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 January 2006. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Monday, 23 January 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Police

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what level of fitness is required for police officers;

Answer: All applicants recruited to the post of constable must be in good health and able both physically and mentally to perform the duties of a police officer.As part of the standard recruitment process, applicants are required to pass a national job related physical fitness test to ensure that they are capable of meeting the physical demands of police work and to ensure that they are not put at risk from undertaking police tasks. The test must be passed prior to entry and again during the probationary period.We are also considering the introduction of regular testing of all officers in-service to ensure maintenance of the minimum fitness standard.Details of the recruit fitness test are contained on the Police Could You website at www.policecouldyou.co.uk and are set out for forces in Home Office Circular 43/2004. We are placing a copy of the Circular in the Library of the House.Officers in certain specialist roles are also required to demonstrate a higher level of fitness on a regular basis. Work is being undertaken to ensure consistency in standards across the Service.Officers are encouraged to develop and maintain health and fitness as part of the Home Office's strategy for a healthy police service and individual force occupational force strategies.

Secondary information