Police fitness test reviewed

The police physical fitness test could change after a review of entry criteria for recruits.

At his first appearance at Parliament's law and order committee as Police Commissioner, Howard Broad would not reveal the recommendations of the review, but said: "I think we've got to retain relevance in terms of our standards ... I'm not ruling anything out."

Police Minister Annette King also hinted at the possibility, saying "over the years there have been changes in requirements for entry".

The review followed revelations that police were turning away good people, including stocky athletes and top brains of both sexes, because many found the 2.4km run impossible to finish in the time allowed.

Men who want to join must complete the run in 10 minutes 15 seconds, while women are given 11 minutes 15 seconds. There is no allowance for age.

Reportedly, only one out of 100 who rang the 0800 recruitment line made it to police college. Mr Broad said police had to monitor and adjust recruiting.

"We've been, throughout my entire career, adjusting our recruiting standards. When I joined the police we had to have a chest expansion of two inches [5cm], we had to be able to spell, we had to pass a basic arithmetic test, and a few other little bits and pieces.

"There was no physical standard. We turned up at police college and began our physical training."

New Zealand First MP Ron Mark asked why there was such a tough fitness test before someone could train to be a police officer, yet once they were doing the job tests were optional.

Mr Broad said people had to pass a high pre-entry test to be able to cope with the course's "gruelling nature".

Mr Mark: But the moment they have graduated, we lower the standard and we only require them to pass a physical competency test and then we only make it voluntarily.

Mr Broad said there was an incentive payment for those who did the tests, and some promotions were dependent on a pass.

National MP Simon Power asked how police would achieve their promised 1250 increase in police numbers without affecting standards.

Ms King said standards would stay high: "We're not looking at reducing standards. That is an undertaking."

Asked about retention, she said police turnover was a low 5 per cent.

Deputy Commissioner Lyn Provost said most of that group - 14 per cent - retired after 25 years' service.

Exit interviews showed no pattern for departures. Key reasons given were physical injury, finding the job difficult, family and a better job offer.

Ms King said work was being done to prepare for the effects, such as more arrests, of more police.

- NZPA