Home Office circular 031 / 2003
NATIONAL RECRUITMENT STANDARDS - JOB RELATED FITNESS TEST FOR POLICE RECRUITMENT
- Broad subject: Police Service
- Issue date: Tue May 20 00:00:00 BST 2003
- From:
CRIME REDUCTION & COMMUNITY SAFETY GROUP Police Personnel Unit - Linked circulars:
No Linked Circulars - Copies sent to:
Clerks to the Police Authorities
- Sub category: Police recruitment
- Implementation date: Tue Jul 01 00:00:00 BST 2003
- For more info contact:
Isobel Rowlands - Addressed to:
Association of Magisterial Officers ,Chief Officers of Police,(England and Wales)
Dear Chief Officer
The purpose of this circular is to notify you of changes to the national Job Related Fitness Test (JRFT) for recruitment and to remind you of the recording and monitoring arrangements.
The changes to the test were agreed by the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales on 16 April. The Board also commissioned further research to inform a longer term approach to fitness and health in the police service overall.
The changes agreed are:
· Discontinuation of the speed/agility element
· Change to the required standard for endurance fitness to level 5 - 4 shuttles (5/4).
Test elements and standards
The test should be run in the following order and to the following standards:
· Endurance fitness (bleep test) Level 5/4
· Grip test (static strength) Level 32kgs
· Dynamic strength test Push 34kgs; Pull 35kgs
The standards apply to both male and female candidates.
Candidates should be allowed to complete the endurance fitness test to their optimum (rather than to the minimum level required) but should be given adequate recovery time before taking the other two elements. This will provide the candidate with a personal fitness profile which he/she can use as a baseline for maintaining and improving fitness.
Candidates should be allowed to take the test on more than one occasion, if necessary, in order to achieve the minimum required standard. Three attempts to pass the test, normally with a period of up to 6 weeks between tests for training and improvement should be allowed. If a candidate fails at the third attempt, he/she should be rejected.
The test administrator must ensure that all candidates are sufficiently warmed up for the test. This should involve some whole body activity such as jogging followed by appropriate stretching exercises particularly of the leg muscles. Forces may wish to ask candidates to sign the attached disclaimer (Annex A) confirming that they are fit enough to take the Job Related Fitness Test on the day.
Helping candidates to pass the test - good practice
Candidates should receive as much information about the test as early as possible. A brochure for this purpose is included in application packs. Further information is also available on the national police recruitment website.
Many forces hold positive action evenings providing candidates with the opportunity to attend the fitness centre to familiarise themselves with the test and equipment and to help them prepare for the exercises they will undertake. Many physical training instructors offer help to candidates with the development of personal training programmes. These measures have been shown to improve success rates. All forces are encouraged to put in place familiarisation courses/positive action events.
Forces may wish to consider inviting back applicants who previously failed the test within the last three months but who reached the level of the new standards. This will be a matter for individual forces.
Fitness testing and the recruitment process
It is recommended that the fitness test is taken towards the end of the assessment process. This extends the time available for training. However, forces may prefer to ensure a candidate is fit before they go through an assessment centre. This is acceptable provided that candidates are given three attempts at the test with sufficient time for training in between. The test should not be used as a sifting tool other than in these circumstances.
Probationers
Probationers are tested for fitness during their initial training and probationary period. The JRFT (as adjusted) should be used for all probationer testing even if another test was used for recruitment. Probationers who are not fit may be liable to discharge under Regulation 13 of the Police Regulations 2003.
Monitoring and Review
The test will be monitored and reviewed. Forces will be asked to provide data annually on success rates at each element of the test and for the test overall in terms of gender and ethnicity. An annual data requirement form (ADR631) will be provided for this purpose.
Implementation
The adjustments and revised standards should be adopted by all forces by 1 July 2003.
Further information about the test and its administration may be obtained from Jonathan Cumberbatch, Health Promotion Adviser, Staffordshire Police on 01785 232080 or Paul Buckle, Head of Physical Education Services, Metropolitan Police on 0208 358 1353.
ISOBEL ROWLANDS
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