Students get a taste of Police life

Students taking part in the push and pull test

Students from Northampton College were put through their paces last week, when they completed the Police Fitness Test at the Police Headquarters in Wootton Hall.

Students from Northampton College were put through their paces last week, when they completed the Police Fitness Test at the Police Headquarters in Wooton Hall.

Comprising of a 15 metre shuttle bleep test and a dynamic maximum push and pull test, the aim is to put officers through their paces with exercises that will be relevant to their role.

The students who took part are currently studying a Public Services course at the College and this recent visit is part of their enrichment programme which enables students to gain real life experiences in their area of study.

Sheryl Cottam, Curriculum Manager for Sport, Travel & Public Services advised, “These fitness tests are done by the same people who will pass or fail real recruits and so by offering this to our students it gives them a fantastic opportunity to witness this first hand and see if they would pass the entry requirements”.

On completion of their course, many students go on to join the armed forces or emergency services including the, Royal Navy, nursing, ambulance service or local government and so these extra-curricular experiences are invaluable in helping to decide on their career path.

Helen Hamilton Bradbury, the Police trainer who took the students through their paces said “The tests are relevant to the role of a Police Officer. They have to successfully complete these fitness tests throughout the 2 year probationary period. They are designed to test the stamina of an officer through the bleep test and also the strength, to push off offenders and restrain them with the Dynamic Push and Pull test”.

The students fully enjoyed the visit and the opportunity to see if they would pass the fitness test. To be successful the students had to run until level 5.4 on the bleep test, push 34kg and pull 35kg in the dynamic strength test. The students experience mirrored that of a new recruit and a certificate of achievement was awarded if they passed all of the Police Recruitment Fitness Tests.