Fears Over Officer Safety Over Training Change

29 May 2026

Officers’ safety could be put at risk by a change to their public and personal safety training (PPST), which means it will now only happen once every two years.

Cleveland Police Federation made the comments after the College of Policing decided to reduce the amount of PPST training for officers – which they had previously been required to carry out every year.

But officers are still expected to complete the bleep test annually, even though it is not a requirement of the job-related fitness test (JRFT).

Cleveland Police Federation Chair Lauren Somerville said: “I’m disappointed that the College of Policing is proceeding with this trial despite clear concerns raised by the Federation. It is even more concerning that officers and representatives are still left without clarity around both JRFT and PPST requirements.

“We have raised these issues locally and have established constructive engagement with our organisational lead, which is positive. However, we remain firmly of the view that these changes present potential risks to officer safety.

“While I am reassured by the strength of our local communication channels, I will continue to closely monitor any emerging trends – including injuries, assaults, and use of force – to ensure that the impact on our officers is fully understood and addressed.”

Federation Secretary Carl Baker described the plans to keep the bleep test as an annual requirement as “completely inappropriate”.

He said: “What is more concerning is the fact officers are being required to undertake the bleep test annually in the guise that it is a requirement under JRFT.

“The bleep test is not and has never been a job-related fitness test and is wholly inappropriate to be used for this purpose.

“The bleep test is a test to see if an officer is able to undertake the PPST, therefore it should only be carried out before PPST is undertaken. If the training is every two years then the bleep test should be as well.

“To require officers to carry out this test annually to substitute for the fact that a job-related fitness test doesn't even exist is completely inappropriate.

“Any officers with concerns around this issue should contact the Federation directly.”