NINETY-SEVEN per cent of Thames Valley Police officers passed fitness tests earlier this year, new figures have revealed.

Only 61 officers out of 2,048 who took the tests failed to meet the level of fitness set down by the College of Policing.

Officers have to reach level five of the “beep test”, meaning they have to be able to run nine 15 metre shuttles in just under 62 seconds.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: “We are working to support officers who have not met the required fitness standard with the aim of further improving these results, ahead of testing becoming a requirement later this year. Having a high standard of fitness enables officers to perform their frontline duties to achieve the best possible outcomes in reducing crime and protecting the communities we serve.”

The pass rate is just below the average for England and Wales, which sits at 98 per cent.

The information has been released as HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) launches a consultation on its approach to assessing the performance of English and Welsh police forces.

It will give the public a chance to have a say on how HMIC assesses how well police forces prove value for money, cut crime and provide a service that is fair and treats people properly.

HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary Tom Winsor said: “I encourage everyone with an interest in the service their local police force offers their community to read and respond to the consultation.

“This input will be invaluable in how we highlight both good practice within policing, and the areas where forces are falling short.”

  • The consultation runs until August 29. Visit hmic.gov.uk

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