NWP Officers Fit For The Job

North Wales Police officers are officially fit for the job according to the annual police fitness test results. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

From the Chief Constable down to the newest recruit all officers have to prove that their fitness levels are up to the demands of the job by undergoing annual tests. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In September 2007 North Wales Police became the first force in Britain to introduce mandatory annual fitness testing. In 2014 the bleep test became compulsory nationally. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In the latest data published today (Thursday, July 21) North Wales Police scored above the national average with 98.7% of officers passing the “bleep” test. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Officers have to complete a 15-metre shuttle run in shorter and shorter periods, reaching level 5.4 – four shuttles at level five. This means that officers have to run 525 metres in three minutes and 40 seconds. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Officers with special units are expected to perform at higher levels, with dog handlers required to complete level 5.7 and firearms officers able to do level 7.6. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Chief Inspector Mark Williams, Head of Training and Development, said: “Fitness really is key to police officers being able to do their job effectively and safely. Police officers quite often find themselves having to deal with physically demanding situations. They need strength and stamina to deal with these, as well as being able to defend themselves and others. They also need to be fit to handle police equipment safely and to work shifts. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“These results show that the vast majority of North Wales Police officers are fit. The few who failed are supported to raise their fitness levels to make sure that they’re able to pass when they’re re tested.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones said: “I was pleased to hear that the fitness levels of the officers of North Wales Police are up to scratch with 98.7 per cent of them passing the so-called bleep test. These results will give the people of North Wales confidence in the ability of the police officers to carry out their duties to the expected standard and deliver an effective police service. An officer who is physically fit is not only likely to be able cope better with the challenges of the job but is also more likely to enjoy the job.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​