Annual Police Fitness Test:
JRFT Rules & Support

The Job-Related Fitness Test (JRFT) measures aerobic capacity and is set out in College of Policing guidance for police officers who undertake Personal Safety Training. The standard extended from recruitment testing to serving officers following the Winsor Review recommendations, according to College of Policing background material.

The guidance says the standard is the same as the one used in recruiting officers. It uses the 15-metre shuttle run (the bleep test), or the Chester treadmill alternative in some cases.

Whether PCSOs and special constables are tested is a force decision rather than a national rule: see PCSO and special constable fitness tests.

For officers who undertake PST, the College of Policing standard is Level 5.4 on the 15m bleep test: 35 shuttles, 525 metres, in about 3 minutes 35 seconds. Forces must deliver the test to the 5:4 standard only.

The College of Policing says evidence shows age and gender affect performance but that it is inappropriate and illegal for forces to make concessions in the standard for these groups. Forces can instead offer support, such as women-only sessions, mentoring or pacemakers.

Some forces now test serving officers at a lower level, 3.7. Kent Police's fitness SOP (O43l) says the College of Policing sets 3.7 for police officers and special constables, while student officers must pass 5.4 before personal safety training. A West Yorkshire Police FOI response (April 2024) says the level for police officers was reduced to 3.7 from the week commencing 1 April 2024, and that new students in their first year stay at 5.4. Surrey and Sussex policy 1140/2025 accepts 3.7 (or 8 minutes on the treadmill walk test) from existing officers as an interim position while the national standard is under review, though the forces still want 5.4.

The College of Policing fitness page we read on 6 October 2026 still gives 5:4 and is marked under review, and we did not find a College publication setting 3.7. Treat 3.7 as a local rule and check your own force's current policy. The sources are set out on our police fitness test by force and Chester treadmill test pages.

Failing the JRFT is dealt with through support first. The guidance says forces should be supportive and sympathetic, provide supportive action and allow at least two retakes, although it is ultimately the individual's responsibility to pass.

Where the fail is linked to fitness, injury or ill health, forces must run a structured Occupational Health referral with a documented action plan. The guidance advises at least six weeks between retakes. The guidance does not say what happens to your duties in the meantime, so that is a local matter.

The guidance we reviewed does not say that failing the bleep test places an officer on Restricted Duties, so this is a local force matter. The Police Federation says officers on restricted duties are not required to take the test.

If restricted duties do apply to you, our restricted duties guide explains the general position. Pay protection is a matter for Police Regulations and your force, so check the detail with HR or your Federation representative.

Not automatically. If all appropriate support measures and alternatives have been delivered and an officer still cannot reach the standard, forces may consider the Unsatisfactory Performance Procedures (UPP) in the Police (Performance) Regulations.

The College of Policing guidance refers to the 2012 Regulations; the Police (Performance) Regulations 2020 have since replaced them, so check the current process. The NPCC fitness testing working group also recommends gas exchange testing before any formal sanction, although forces are not required to offer it.

If you are carrying an injury or a medical condition that makes running the test unsafe, do not take part. Tell your force and ask about medical screening and Occupational Health.

Guidance says forces must run a structured referral involving Occupational Health (OH) where an officer cannot pass the medical screening or fails because of inadequate fitness, a musculoskeletal complaint or ill health. The referral must include a documented action plan giving a realistic period to improve. Some forces also offer alternative tests, such as the Chester treadmill walking test, but that is a local decision. Coming back from injury or time off? See returning to the bleep test after injury.

The College of Policing lists higher recommended levels for specialist roles.

Shift work can make it harder to keep fit.

Disrupted sleep and irregular meals can make it harder to keep training.

A common approach is to aim to be comfortably beyond the standard in practice, rather than only just at 5.4.

Having some margin means factors such as a slick, dusty sports hall floor, test-day nerves or minor joint stiffness are less likely to cost you the pass on the day.