Police Academy adjusts fitness test after complaints

The Police Academy announced that it is adjusting the fitness test for aspiring police officers. This follows complaints to police unions NPB and ACP that the test was too strict, did not take personal circumstances into account, and was not taken in the same way at all Police Academy locations, NOS reports.

The so-called Professional Fit test consists of 500 meters of rowing, squats, pushups, pull-ups, sit-ups, burpees and 1,600 meters of running. Those who repeatedly fail the test are disqualified from the Police Academy. 

Following recommendations from the Vrije Universitei, the Police Academy decided to adjust the test on four points. From now on, the rowing part will not only take age and gender into account, but also weight. For the running part, students will be allowed to choose whether they want to run on a treadmill or outside, in which the weather and terrain will be taken into account. The sit-ups part will be standardized. And more tools will be used to make sure the assessment is as objective as possible.

Union NPB is pleased with the changes. "It became increasingly clear that the care taken in approaching and designing an number of ProFit components left something to be desired", director Leen Spoor said to NOS. "With these changes, there is a lot of improvement."