Women only fitness tests being offered by Force

5 March 2019

Federation secretary Kirsty Bunn has succeeded in securing women-only fitness testing sessions.

They will now be held monthly, from April, after Derbyshire Police Federation and the Force’s Gender Agenda Network raised concerns about the number of women officers failing the Job-Related Fitness Tests (JRFT).

“We became aware that many women were feeling anxious about the tests and we believe taking the tests alongside their male colleagues was a contributory factor,” Kirsty explains.

“We are not seeking any preferential treatment for women but we feel that since both nationally and locally the pass rate for female officers is lower than that of male officers something needed to be done to address try to help address their anxiety.

“The standard of fitness test 5:4 will not be compromised but women officers who feel that anxiety or concern will have the opportunity to be able to take the test in a female only environment.”

Women who want to continue to take the fitness test in mixed groups can still opt to do so.

The women-only JRFT sessions will  be available at 8.30am on Day 1 of the identified two-day officer safety training refreshers on the following dates this year:  

For those who only complete a one-day course, the dates are as follows, and again they will take place at 8.30am:

 If your JRFT is due and you would like to take up this opportunity please send an email to Force Training  with the date of your training and stating your preference for a women-only test session.

 As you may be aware, the Operational Training Team can offer support and advice to anyone concerned about the test.