More than one in 10 Police Scotland recruits have failed the new fitness test

More than one in 10 Police Scotland candidates have failed a tough new recruitment fitness test, the Daily Express can reveal.

The new test comprises a 100m run with bodyweight exercises replacing the former 1.5-mile run. The force said it had been introduced to “ensure equality of opportunity for all our candidates and ongoing compliance with the Equality Act”.

Data revealed in a freedom of information request showed that 955 candidates had participated in the revamped fitness trial from its introduction on June 7, 2022, to October 7.

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Of those, 808 candidates passed the test with 147 – or 15.4 per cent – failing to meet the standard. All new recruits to Police Scotland must pass the fitness test during the 12 week initial training course at Tulliallan in Fife.

The 15 minute test involves running between two points 100m apart followed by exercises in a circuit style, including squats, star jumps, and heel kicks. Anyone who fails

The 1.5mile run in less than 18 minutes is reported to have been phased out because there were too many variables such as weather, terrain and course. The force is also phasing out the traditional bleep test, although both may still feature as part of the training course.

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

“Part of this process involves a fitness assessment, where a candidates 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.

“We are recruiting record numbers of police officers every quarter, who have successfully passed all elements of our recruitment journey.

“A very small number of those applying to join Police Scotland 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.

“Police officers are required to have a high degree of personal fitness and my advice to any candidates is to spend time preparing and developing this in advance of attending at our fitness assessment.”

There are no mandatory fitness tests on serving police officers in Scotland, unlike England, where they became compulsory in September 2014.

David Hamilton, Chair Scottish Police Federation said, “Policing is a physically demanding job and it is vital that recruits meet the standards set.

“Poor personal fitness can also be a warning indicator of attitude and commitment so a high standard is both necessary and welcome.”

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