- The force said female officers claimed the test caused “indirect discrimination”.
Police are under fire for abolishing compulsory physical fitness tests on the grounds that they are unfair to women.
British Transport Police said female officers were subjected to “indirect discrimination” by performing the so-called bleep test, which involved running up and down a 15-metre track for three minutes and 35 seconds. male.
Currently, only recruits and professionals, including dog handlers and armed officers, are required to pass a physical fitness test.
BTP, which has 3,000 police officers patrolling train stations across the UK, said the move would mean 50 people who failed tests would be allowed to return to the front line.
But last night, critics said police officers must stay fit.
One current police officer told the Mail on Sunday: “Members of the public report to the police expecting officers to do the job of protecting them.”
“It’s embarrassing to see a colleague barely wearing a studded vest, and knowing they might not even be able to go for a two-minute jog is not only worrying but dangerous.”
For the past decade, all police officers have been required to participate in the annual Job-Related Physical Fitness Test (JRFT). Those who repeatedly fail to reach the required standard may be placed in light duties or administrative work.
But some have complained that the so-called bleep test is too demanding and could discriminate against older PCs and women.
It was revealed today that the BTP has become the first force to cancel the exam for all police officers.
In its 2021 report on the gender pay gap, the company said it had concerns about the impact the test would have on “women, particularly those undergoing menopause.”
Now, the force has told the MoS: “We have discontinued conducting the JRFT in August 2022. This test was conducted before officers were allowed to undergo personal safety training.” This scheme only applies to new employees and professionals. ”
According to the report, as of June 2022, 8% (42 people) of female police officers had failed the exam, compared to 1.9% of male police officers (45 people).
Of the 87 test failures, 86 percent (75) were over the age of 35 and 32 percent (28) were over the age of 50.
Rachel Etever, the force’s humanities and cultural affairs director, said that since JRFT was removed, “there has been no increase in injuries, which means we have been able to return 50 officers to the front line while avoiding indirect discrimination.” .
The unit’s “labor union”, the BTP Federation, had called for the experiment to be halted. Stuart Cowan, chairman of the commission, said: “We have asked forces to consider the role of fitness testing and we welcome the pragmatic approach they have taken.”
Chief constables across the UK have commissioned research into new fitness standards, but have yet to decide what they should be.
Liberal Democrat MP and former police officer Wendy Chamberlain said: “The National Police Chiefs’ Council needs to move forward with a review of the standard fitness test so the public can be confident that police officers are working to the same standards across the country. It’s clear.” ‘
