Fewer Women Pass Fitness Tests Officers Mark
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grape vine British Association for Women in Policing July 2014 Fewer women pass fitness tests Officers mark FEMALE police officers had less Yvonne’s death success in the new job-related fitness A TWO-minute silence was testing than their male counterparts, held to remember police officer newly published figures have shown. Yvonne Fletcher, on the 30th The results of more than 30,000 anniversary of her murder. police fitness tests taken nationwide Metropolitan Police commis- have been published. In those, wom- sioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, en had a national average pass rate of said the force is “determined to 92 per cent, compared to 97 per cent catch the person responsible” for for male officers. the murder. The tests are being assessed by the The officer, who was just 25 College of Policing as forces prepare when she died, was gunned down to introduce annual assessments for on 17 April 1984 outside the Lib- all officers. Figures from tests taken yan embassy. No-one has been between September 2013 and March Fewer female officers pass the fitness test compared to male officers. prosecuted for her death. this year were submitted to the Col- Members of her family joined lege of Policing from 39 forces. “The opportunity to have a go in HM chief inspector of constab- friends and colleagues in remem- In five forces, 100 per cent of single gender sessions and with pace- ulary and former police pay and bering her on 17 April. Floral female applicants passed: Avon and makers are two examples of ways conditions reviewer Tom Winsor tributes were left at her memorial Somerset, Hertfordshire, Hum- that confidence can be built. BAWP recommended that all officers who in London (pictured). berside, Northamptonshire and would encourage the continuation “may be” deployed to the front line Northumbria. of such sessions and will be sharing – including chief officers and those Debbie Wood, who represents best practice in due course.” on secondments and federation Sussex Police and BAWP on the Na- The 15m shuttle run is based representatives – take the test. tional Fitness Working Group, says on scientific research to match the The review recommended that many forces run practice sessions for aerobic demands of officer safety any officer who fails the test be women (and men) who need help training. There is no obstacle course penalised in their pay packet. Failure passing the fitness tests. or upper-body strength testing. The to pass the test three times will The sessions provide a test standard is the same as that used result in dismissal for unsatisfactory Sir Bernard said: “At the end of environment without the pressure when recruiting officers. performance. the day, Yvonne Fletcher’s parents and allow officers to gain expertise In September 2013, the College Assistant Chief Constable Rob lost their daughter. and coaching from other officers issued interim guidance on how Price, National Fitness Working “Her sister lost a sister. We lost and staff. Her force and others also police forces should implement the Group Lead, said: “The results to a colleague, and we’re determined provide training plans for those who fitness test. Fitness testing is in an date are encouraging and show the to make sure we catch the person need extra support, she said. interim phase to allow data to be vast majority of officers tested are fit. responsible.” Mrs Wood added: “Qualitative examined so it can be understood New guidance will be issued to forces He said the investigation had data suggests that supportive practice how specific groups of individuals later this year with a strong emphasis “never stopped”, adding: “We’re sessions, most of which are run by are performing. on providing supportive measures to determined to make progress, women’s support groups within in- The College will use this data help officers pass the test.” and I’m confident we’re making dividual forces, help officers that are to carry out an equality impact Steve White, chairman of the good progress.” finding the job-related fitness tests assessment and make any necessary Police Federation of England and challenging. While these sessions revisions to national guidance before Wales, said: “Fitness tests need to re- appear to be mainly attended by all forces begin annual fitness testing flect the diverse nature of the police women, many forces have an open- in September following recommen- force and be appropriate for each to-all policy. dations in the Winsor Review. role officers may undertake.” July 2014 1 Farewell to old friends as BAWP Inside your July looks forward to new challenges BAWP newsletter THE BAWP Annual General Meet- ing was held on 10th June, where we Page 1 – Fit for purpose? A look officially said goodbye to two of our at fitness testing long-standing members, Assistant Page 2 - BAWP President and Editor of Grapevine Nicky Phillip- Coordinator’s columns son and Treasurer Pippa Taylor. Page 3 – Women still wearing A huge thanks to both of them men’s police uniforms for their outstanding dedication and Page 5 – The Senior Women in contribution over the years; they Policing conference will be missed. It is my pleasure to Page 6 – Will direct entry im- announce the appointment of our prove policing diversity? new Treasurer, Anne Sanlon. Cressida Dick is looking forward to the launch of Gender Agenda 3. Page 7 – Seventy years of wom- The committee has given hon- en in Surrey Police orary life time membership to the the International Association of guest speakers. Thank you to all Page 8 – Q and A with Ch Insp following: Judith Gillespie, Jackie Women in Policing Annual training who have contributed so far, and Debbie Marsden Roberts and Julie Grocutt, for the Conference being held in Winni- continue to provide feedback on continued contribution and support peg, Canada. The IAWP ‘Cardiff this important piece of work. to women within the Police Service. 2015’ Committee is busy preparing Fitness tests continue to be part Contact BAWP Next year we are celebrating 100 an exhibition to showcase in Winni- of regular discussions here at BAWP Tel: 0844 414 0448 years of women in policing and peg so if you are attending this year and we will continue to work closely Vice-President – Fay Tennet currently there are regional discus- please do drop by and show them with the College of Policing, making [email protected]. sions taking place to talk through your support. sure that it is fair for all. There have police.uk the events taking place. Do make Here in the UK, our Annual been a number practice sessions Coordinator – Parwinder Dale contact with our National Coordi- BAWP Awards are taking place on organised by Women’s networks, [email protected] nator Parwinder if you have an idea 11th November at Stratford Upon which all had positive feedback and Secretary – Carolyn Williamson to mark the occasion. Avon. I look forward to meeting have been well attended. [email protected] It was good to see so many of you you all at the awards. BAWP wishes you a very good Follow us on Twitter at twitter. at the Senior Women in Policing The Gender Agenda 3 has summer, hopefully full of sunshine. com/CoordBAWP. Conference in Belfast in March. It evolved over the past few months See you in our next edition of Like us on Facebook at www. was an extremely successful and and we look forward to celebrating Grapevine. facebook.com/bawp1 well-attended event. Of course, the its official launch in September. We next big event for the calendar is hope to mark this occasion with Cressida Dick, BAWP President Who are we? You can see a full list of BAWP committee members at the Gender is still at the top of the agenda BAWP website: WELCOME to our new look Other news www.bawp.org/page-1319216 Grapevine newsletter! We hope you We are currently working on a all like it! I am sorry say goodbye joint survey on sexual harass- to Nicky Phillipson, who will no ment in policing with Unison, the Become a longer will be Assistant Editor Superintendents’ Association, the BAWP member? for Grapevine. But we are also Police Federation and Prof Jennifer equally pleased to inform you that Brown, Deputy Chair of the Inde- More information about joining we will be working with Martis pendent Police Commission [the the BAWP can be found on our Media from now on in producing Lord Stevens Review into policing] website: Grapevine together. There will now and Co-Director of the Mannheim www.bawp.org/page-473221 be four editions a year. If you have Centre for Criminology. We are feedback back please let us know. National Coordinator Parwinder looking to send out the survey in Dale has been busy with BAWP. September. More details to follow. Grapevine Gender Agenda 3 Vice-President Fay Tennet, Grapevine is produced quarterly I have been busy with Gender near completion and we are going Secretary Carolyn Williamson and by Martis Media (www.martis- Agenda 3 document, which was in- to be launching in the Autumn. I attended the Senior Women in media.co.uk) on behalf of the formed by Manchester Metropoli- We know there have been delays Policing Conference in Northern British Association for Women tan University’s Dr Wendy Laverick launching, but we are nearly there, Ireland in March, which you will in Policing. Stories: Hollie and her research, Policing reform: so thank you everyone for your read about later in this edition (see Clemence and Sarah Ingram. consequences for the gender agenda patience. An exact date will be page 5). Design: Erena Laird.