British police officers may face compulsory fitness tests

Police officers may face compulsory fitness tests and diets to help them get in shape after it emerged that up to one in five is clinically obese, the dailymail.co.uk reports.

In the Metropolitan Police, more than half (52 per cent) of its male officers are overweight, a fifth (22 per cent) are obese, and one in 100 are "morbidly obese" the report showed.

For women officers in the Met, a third (32 per cent) are overweight, 16 per cent are obese and 2 per cent are morbidly obese, the Telegraph says.

A major review of policing has called for running tests and assault course-style assessments to ensure officers can carry on chasing criminals.

Anyone who cannot meet minimum fitness standards – including the most senior officers – would face pay cuts and ultimately dismissal, the dailymail.co.uk reports.

Tom Winsor, who has carried out the widest-ranging review of police pay and conditions in more than 30 years, said those who fail the test three times should be subject to disciplinary procedures and a pay cut.