More dates set for women only fitness testing

16 June 2020

Dates have been released for the Force’s women only Job-Related Fitness Tests for the remainder of this year and into early 2021 with COVID-19 restrictions in place.

The tests will be conducted with no more than three runners and two trainers at a time as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The fitness tests will take place at 8.30am at either Ripley or Chesterfield on the following dates:

Tier 1 (two-day)

Ripley: 2/3 July

Ripley: 6/7 August

Ripley: 10/11 September

Chesterfield: 5/6 October

Ripley: 2/3 November

Chesterfield: 4/5 January

Ripley: 3/4 February

Chesterfield: 1/2 March.

Tier 2 (one-day)

Chesterfield: 10 July

Ripley: 21 August

Ripley: 16 September

Ripley: 7 October

Ripley: 4 November

Chesterfield: 6 January

Ripley: 17 February

Ripley: 8 March.

Kirsty Bunn, Derbyshire Police Federation secretary, was influential in securing the women-only fitness tests which started last year.

She said: “The fitness testing was suspended due to the outbreak of the pandemic but the Force has worked hard to be able to reintroduce them, which is great.”

Kirsty said the female-only tests were initiated after the Federation and the Force’s Equality Unity became aware many women were feeling anxious about taking the tests.

“We believe taking the tests alongside their male colleagues was a contributory factor,” she said. “We were not seeking any preferential treatment for women but felt 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 try to help address their anxiety.

“The standard of fitness test 5:4 is not compromised but women officers who feel that anxiety or concern have the opportunity to take the test in a female only environment which they may be more comfortable with,” she added.

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

If your JRFT is due and you would like the opportunity to attend one of these sessions, please send an email to Force Training with the date of your training and stating your preference for a women-only test.

The Operational Training Team can offer support and advice to anyone concerned about the test.