Specialist Police
Fitness Standards
The College of Policing recommended fitness levels for specialist police roles, and what we could and could not verify for CNC, MDP and BTP.
Level 5.4
Level 6.3
Level 5.7
7.6 / 9.4
Level 10.5
Own tests; check the force
Specialist Role Fitness Requirements
| Role | Typical Level | Relative demand (our view) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Constable | 5.4 | Low-Medium | College of Policing standard for officers who undertake Personal Safety Training (35 shuttles, 525m total). |
| Police Support Unit (public order) | 6.3 | Medium | College of Policing recommended standard (air support is 6.4). |
| Dog Handler | 5.7 | Medium | College of Policing recommended standard (mounted branch 5.7, police cyclists 5.8). |
| AFO / ARV | 7.6 / 9.4 | High | College of Policing lists 7.6 for Authorised Firearms Officers and 9.4 for Armed Response Vehicle officers. |
| Dynamic Intervention AFO | 10.5 | Extreme | College of Policing recommended standard. CTSFO selection standards are not listed by the College and we could not verify them. |
| CNC | Ask CNC | n/a | Civil Nuclear Constabulary says applicants must pass a multi-stage fitness test on recruitment and regularly in service. We could not verify the level. |
| MDP | PES-JRFT | n/a | MDP careers page: constables and sergeants take its own Physical Employment Standards test (20kg weighted vest, 20m shuttles, casualty drag); inspectors and above take the multi-stage test to 5.4. |
| BTP specialist units | Ask BTP | n/a | We could not open BTP's fitness pages, so we cannot confirm its standards. |
| Marine / Mounted / Divers | 5.4 / 5.7 / 6.8 | Medium | College of Policing: marine police unit 5.4, mounted branch 5.7, police divers 6.8 (marine tactical skills 7.2). Other unit assessments are set locally. |
Specialist Role Profiles
A closer look at the recommended levels and what we could and could not verify for each unit.
1. Firearms (AFO / ARV)
The College of Policing recommends Level 7.6 for Authorised Firearms Officers (AFO) and Level 9.4 for Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) officers. Level 9.4 is 73 shuttles (1,095 metres), against 35 for Level 5.4. What happens after a failed reassessment is a force matter.
2. Dynamic Intervention AFO
The College of Policing lists Level 10.5 for Dynamic Intervention AFOs, the highest level in its table. It does not list CTSFO separately, and we could not verify the CTSFO selection standard, so check with counter terrorism policing.
3. PSU / Public Order
The College of Policing recommends Level 6.3 for Police Support Unit officers (public order) and 6.4 for air support. Your force sets how it applies this.
4. Dog Handler
The College of Policing recommends Level 5.7 for dog handlers, the same as the mounted branch (police cyclists are 5.8). Your force sets the requirement for the role.
5. CNC / MDP
Both forces run their own recruitment tests. The Civil Nuclear Constabulary says applicants must pass a multi-stage fitness test on recruitment and regularly in service, but the level was not in the document we could open. The Ministry of Defence Police says constables and sergeants take a Physical Employment Standards Job-Related Fitness Test (PES-JRFT) using a 20kg weighted vest over 20-metre shuttles, with two attempts, while inspectors and above take the multi-stage fitness test to Level 5.4.
6. BTP Specialist
We could not open British Transport Police's fitness pages, so we cannot confirm its recruitment or specialist standards. Check with BTP directly.
What the Higher Levels Mean
What the higher levels mean physically. Our commentary is general, not an official explanation.
Kit and Load
Specialist roles can involve carrying additional kit. The College of Policing guidance does not say how the levels were set for each role, so this is general commentary, not an official reason.
Working in Kit
Working in protective clothing can be hot and tiring. Again, this is our general commentary rather than an official explanation of the levels.
Longer Deployments
Some deployments can be long. The bleep test itself is a short, standardised measure of aerobic capacity.
Thinking When Tired
The College of Policing table gives an estimated minimum aerobic capacity for each level: about 35 ml/kg/min for 5.4, 37 for PSU, 41 for AFO, 46 for ARV and 51 for DIAFO. A University of Chester review suggested older VO2 figures were under-reported, so treat these as approximate.
Officer Safety
Higher levels mean a higher aerobic capacity. How that relates to a particular operational task is a matter for the force and unit.
Team Reliability
Forces set their own selection and retention arrangements for specialist teams; check with the unit.
Ideas for Progressing From 5.4 Towards 9.4
A general, unofficial progression idea. There is no fixed timescale, and you should build up gradually and take medical advice if unsure.
Phase 1: Level 5.4 to 6.3
Build your basic aerobic fitness and get comfortable with turning over a marked 15m distance.
Phase 2: Level 6.3 to 7.6
Add interval runs and some lower-body strength work such as squats and lunges, building up gradually.
Phase 3: Level 7.6 to 9.4
Move to harder interval sessions and repeated shuttle practice while keeping good turning technique. Level 9 is about 11.8 km/h on the 15m test.
Phase 4: Level 9.4 and beyond
Use practice tests to see where you are relative to the level you need. Take medical advice before training hard, and build up gradually.
Unprepared for the 15m Bleep Test?
Three tools built from your own answers for the police 15m bleep test (Level 5.4): a 6-week plan, a pass predictor and a weakness analysis. Practice aids, not a guarantee of a pass.
General training information, not medical advice. Stop if you feel pain, dizziness or chest discomfort, and see a GP before you start if you have a health condition, an injury or are pregnant. No tool can guarantee a pass.
What Happens If You Fail A Specialist Fitness Test?
What the College of Policing guidance says about support and retakes, and where it is silent.
Permit & Role Impact
What happens to a specialist role or authorisation after a failed reassessment is set by the force and role. The guidance we reviewed does not say.
Redeployment Duties
Duty arrangements during retesting are a local matter. Ask your unit and force.
Support & Retesting
College of Policing guidance says forces must provide supportive action and at least two retakes (at least six weeks between attempts is advisable), and a structured Occupational Health referral where the fail relates to fitness, injury or ill health.
Fitness test updates
Fitness test changes and new training guides, by email
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Supporting Fitness Resources
The Roles Behind These Standards
Specialist Fitness FAQ
Answers to common questions about specialist standards, based on College of Policing guidance.
What level do firearms officers need?
The College of Policing table lists Level 7.6 for Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs), Level 9.4 for Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) officers and Level 10.5 for Dynamic Intervention AFOs. CTSFO selection standards are set by counter terrorism policing and are not listed by the College. Your force or unit sets the exact requirement.
What level do PSU officers need?
The College of Policing recommends Level 6.3 on the 15m bleep test for Police Support Unit (public order) officers. Your force sets how it applies this.
What level do dog handlers need?
The College of Policing recommends Level 5.7 for dog handlers (the same as the mounted branch; police cyclists are 5.8). Your force sets the requirement for the role.
Does CNC require higher fitness?
We could not verify a bleep level for the Civil Nuclear Constabulary. Its medical pre-employment guidance says applicants must pass a multi-stage fitness test on recruitment and regularly in service. Check the CNC recruitment pages for the level.
Does MDP require higher fitness?
The MDP uses its own test: its careers site says constables and sergeants take a PES-JRFT (a 20kg weighted vest over 20-metre shuttles, plus a casualty drag), while inspectors and above take the multi-stage fitness test to Level 5.4. Check the MDP careers page.
Is CTSFO Level 10.5?
The College of Policing lists Level 10.5 for Dynamic Intervention AFOs, the highest level in its table. It does not list CTSFO separately, and we could not verify the CTSFO selection standard.
Can you fail and stay in the police?
College of Policing guidance says forces should provide support and at least two retakes before considering unsatisfactory performance procedures. What happens to a specialist role or authorisation after a fail is set by the force and role.
Do specialist roles test annually?
College of Policing guidance says forces must carry out an annual retesting regime for officers who undertake Personal Safety Training. Retesting arrangements for specialist roles are set by the force, so check with your unit.
Do women have different standards?
No. College of Policing guidance says it is inappropriate and illegal for forces to make concessions in the standard for age or gender. Standards depend on the role.
How long to train from 5.4 to 9.4?
There is no fixed timescale, and we cannot give one. Going from 5.4 to 9.4 is a large step: 73 shuttles rather than 35, at speeds rising to about 11.8 km/h. It depends on your starting fitness and training. For details on the speed steps between these levels, read our Bleep Test Levels Explained guide.
Is 9.4 hard?
Yes. Level 9.4 is 73 shuttles (1,095 metres) in roughly 6 minutes 45 seconds, against 35 shuttles for Level 5.4, and the pace keeps rising throughout. It demands strong turning mechanics and high aerobic capacity. See the full chart in our Bleep Test Levels Explained guide.
Can asthma affect specialist fitness?
Asthma does not automatically stop you joining the police, according to joiningthepolice.co.uk, but specialist roles may have additional medical requirements. Ask your force about the medical standards for the role.
Continue Your Fitness Preparation
Fitness Calculator →
Difficulty GuideIs 5.4 Hard? →
Test Day GuideTest Day Guide →
Pacing ChartLevels Explained →
6-Week PlanTraining Plan →
Interactive ToolBleep Simulator →
Retake RulesFailure Recovery →
Health ClearanceMedical Guidance →
Serving OfficersAnnual Officer Testing →
Tactical Trust Notice
Fitness standards for specialist units are recommended by the College of Policing, but implementation varies between forces. Always verify the current requirement with your unit training officer. This guide is for information only. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. Sources: College of Policing job-related fitness standards, implementation guidance (2021), MDP fitness page, CNC medical pre-employment guidance.