24 replies to this topic

[LosingGrip]

Does anyone know roughly how long the fitness test will last? What time roughly are we able to leave? Need to work out if I'll need to get time off work, forgot to ask when I phoned up today >.<

Edited by Chewie, 18 September 2011 - 03:33 PM.

[amp]

Does anyone know roughly how long the fitness test will last? What time roughly are we able to leave? Need to work out if I'll need to get time off work, forgot to ask when I phoned up today >.<

Hi Do you have an actual date and time for it as yet.

[LosingGrip]

Yeah, its the 21st of November, need to be there for 8.45am ()

[mastersmithson]

Not that long. Depending how many peole you have, you will split into two groups. One haf doing the strengh test and other half doing the bleep (running) test.

If I recall, once that is done then you go home. So what, a couple of hours max?

[A.S.R.]

From memory, before mid-day it will end

Edited by A.S.R., 20 October 2009 - 07:51 AM.

[Llama]

Hi All,

Just thought I'd say hi as I'm new here and am on the road to becoming an SC. I've got my PIRT on Sunday and preparing as best I can for that...

My question is how difficult is the fitness test? At the moment I'm aiming to cycle 12-15 miles a day so I don't completely die on the day!

Any personal experiences from the fitness test?

Thanks

RD

[Wrighty112]

Hi All,

Just thought I'd say hi as I'm new here and am on the road to becoming an SC. I've got my PIRT on Sunday and preparing as best I can for that...

My question is how difficult is the fitness test? At the moment I'm aiming to cycle 12-15 miles a day so I don't completely die on the day!

Any personal experiences from the fitness test?

Thanks

RD

if you can cycle that distance i wouldnt worry.... the push pull isnt hard either, if u can do more than 10 press-up you'll do fine watch this video on you tube

[TallGuy]

The fitness test is not too bad. 5.4 on the bleep test and 37kg on the push-pull. I joined before the fitness test came in so haven't experienced it myself. What gets most people though is the 4 day Officer Safety Training over two weekends which really pushes peoples level of fitness and flexibility.

[Llama]

if you can cycle that distance i wouldnt worry.... the push pull isnt hard either, if u can do more than 10 press-up you'll do fine watch this video on you tube http://www.youtube.c...h?v=3CSOGeEqT7c

Cool thanks - Looks manageable... think i'll download the bleep test MP3 and give that a go a few times!

The fitness test is not too bad. 5.4 on the bleep test and 37kg on the push-pull. I joined before the fitness test came in so haven't experienced it myself. What gets most people though is the 4 day Officer Safety Training over two weekends which really pushes peoples level of fitness and flexibility.

Oh right - Push/Pull should be fine provided I don't misunderstand what I'm meant to do...!

As for the bleep test I better get practising to make sure I reach that! Do Dorset use the 15m version?

Thanks

Edited by doyler, 04 April 2011 - 07:37 PM.

[Topman]

If you have an Iphone and have access to a treadmill there is a good app called "Treadmill" and with regards to the bleep test of 5.4 just faster then a fast paced walk you will be fine

[Llama]

If you have an Iphone and have access to a treadmill there is a good app called "Treadmill" and with regards to the bleep test of 5.4 just faster then a fast paced walk you will be fine

I work in a school and there's a wealth of sports facilities - I'll have to get that App!

Thanks for the recommendation.

Oh that's good to hear - I had this vision of sprinting myself to death!


On another note - for the medical do you have to be able to touch your toes? I can't...!

Thanks

[Chewie]

On another note - for the medical do you have to be able to touch your toes? I can't...!

They'll check to see how flexible you are, but I wouldn't worry too much - provided you can at least bend at the waist and make a decent effort you should be fine.

[Llama]

They'll check to see how flexible you are, but I wouldn't worry too much - provided you can at least bend at the waist and make a decent effort you should be fine.

Haha good news! I'm pretty flexible but the one problem I have is touching my toes!

Thanks guys - your help and advice is really appreciated!

[Llama]

Hi all - does anybody know if fitness tests are still used?

I thought they were, except a document I received today states:

"Appropriate levels of physical fitness are an important part of a Special Constable role.
Whilst you will not be assessed for fitness during your training period you will be expected to demonstrate through the Personal Safety element that you have developed and maintained an appropriate level of fitness."

Am I right in assuming that this means there is no longer a formal fitness test, but due to the physical requirements of the Personal Safety training, fitness will be assessed based on the passing of that element?

Thanks

[TallGuy]

As you may have noted today there has been a shift of ownership of the recruitment process from the VST to HR and as a consequence it appears that some information has got out of sync. So unless something has brought about the abolition of the fitness test which I am not aware of then you will be required to sit a fitness test.

[Llama]

As you may have noted today there has been a shift of ownership of the recruitment process from the VST to HR and as a consequence it appears that some information has got out of sync. So unless something has brought about the abolition of the fitness test which I am not aware of then you will be required to sit a fitness test.

Yeah noticed that one! That's cool. TallGuy, did you take a look at the schedule we were given? The first phase one training day on it was yesterday though there's no subject associated with it!

You don't by any chance have any idea when training commences subject to passing this stage do you?

Thanks

[TallGuy]

Yeah noticed that one! That's cool. TallGuy, did you take a look at the schedule we were given? The first phase one training day on it was yesterday though there's no subject associated with it!

You don't by any chance have any idea when training commences subject to passing this stage do you?

Thanks

The schedule you got (I forgot to pick one up) is for the current intake which started yesterday and would be scheduled to attest on the 3 July based on the old 12 week training schedule which would mean the next intake would start on 9 July at the earliest. The training program is going through a bit of a tweak at the moment and as such the only people who are in a position to advise are the HR Team. Should you be successful, at this stage the medical and the fitness test then you should be advised of your start date then.

[Llama]

The schedule you got (I forgot to pick one up) is for the current intake which started yesterday and would be scheduled to attest on the 3 July based on the old 12 week training schedule which would mean the next intake would start on 9 July at the earliest. The training program is going through a bit of a tweak at the moment and as such the only people who are in a position to advise are the HR Team. Should you be successful, at this stage the medical and the fitness test then you should be advised of your start date then.

Oh right that'll be it then... Oh cool, thanks for that TallGuy, really cleared it up for me!

[Llama]

The schedule you got (I forgot to pick one up) is for the current intake which started yesterday and would be scheduled to attest on the 3 July based on the old 12 week training schedule which would mean the next intake would start on 9 July at the earliest. The training program is going through a bit of a tweak at the moment and as such the only people who are in a position to advise are the HR Team. Should you be successful, at this stage the medical and the fitness test then you should be advised of your start date then.

Well my JRFT is tomorrow! I think it's time to exercise!

Also I've pulled a rib muscle in the week lifting a box of projectors! Hopefully it won't cause me too much grief and I'm happy to endure if it does!

One last question before the big day - how fast-paced is level 6? I'm concerned I won't pace myself and will subsequently fail!

Also is 37Kg fairly easy to push would you say?

Okay so maybe it was two questions!

thanks

[Chewie]

One last question before the big day - how fast-paced is level 6? I'm concerned I won't pace myself and will subsequently fail!

Also is 37Kg fairly easy to push would you say?

Well, everything's relative... 37k is easy if you can do it, and level 6 isn't that fast, but obviously that's dependent on how fit you are and how fast you normally run - make sure you pace yourself, and don't run *too* fast, try and get your timing right and keep it smooth rather than rush between the cones and have to keep stopping & starting. Good luck!

[Llama]

Well, everything's relative... 37k is easy if you can do it, and level 6 isn't that fast, but obviously that's dependent on how fit you are and how fast you normally run - make sure you pace yourself, and don't run *too* fast, try and get your timing right and keep it smooth rather than rush between the cones and have to keep stopping & starting. Good luck!

Thanks - read that this morning and it really reassured me! In the end decided to go over 5.4 and stop at 6.4 to keep some energy for the dyno - pulled over 45 on both... So a pass! Now to start a fitness regime to improve on my fitness!

So looking forward to training now! Not so much the personal safety because I'm one of the lower body weight guys there and forsee myself getting floored pretty easily!

[TallGuy]

Thanks - read that this morning and it really reassured me! In the end decided to go over 5.4 and stop at 6.4 to keep some energy for the dyno - pulled over 45 on both... So a pass! Now to start a fitness regime to improve on my fitness!

So looking forward to training now! Not so much the personal safety because I'm one of the lower body weight guys there and forsee myself getting floored pretty easily!

If your assessment was done by (Ms) F then you will have seen that she is pretty slim and lightweight, but boy don't spar with her on PST as what she has she knows how to use. So in a nutshell size and weight isn't the determining factor, skill, strength and speed are equally valid.
As for fitness, if you're not used to running then now is the time to start. A good bit of CV exercise with a mix of muscle building and you will be fine. You saw how thin I am!

[Llama]

If your assessment was done by (Ms) F then you will have seen that she is pretty slim and lightweight, but boy don't spar with her on PST as what she has she knows how to use. So in a nutshell size and weight isn't the determining factor, skill, strength and speed are equally valid.
As for fitness, if you're not used to running then now is the time to start. A good bit of CV exercise with a mix of muscle building and you will be fine. You saw how thin I am!

Very true - luckily we have a decent gym on site at work so I'll start a regime over there! I suppose in the real situations your applicable strength and / or stamina is aided by adrenaline too so there's that advantage!
Anyway from what I have seen on here, it seems like Dorset is one of the better forces in terms of privileges awarded to specials, and the treatment of specials - so I'm looking forward to getting started!

Oh one thing I did wonder - what exactly is the vetting looking for in me / my family? Is it just about any criminal involvement from any member of my extended family or is it serious crime within the immediate family?

[TallGuy]

Yes Dorset does value its SC and when you consider that approximately 1 in 6 Police Officers in Dorset is SC you will see that we can bring a lot to the county.

As for vetting this is multi-edged in that it has two strands. The home strand which looks at your history, current situation, employment, financial position, where you live and who you are living with, associates and family etc. And then there is the national strand handled by the security services. That's all I can really say.

Criminal activity doesn't need to be serious, it just needs to be anything which could compromise your adherence to the core values, put you, or any member of your family, at risk.

[Llama]

Yes Dorset does value its SC and when you consider that approximately 1 in 6 Police Officers in Dorset is SC you will see that we can bring a lot to the county.

As for vetting this is multi-edged in that it has two strands. The home strand which looks at your history, current situation, employment, financial position, where you live and who you are living with, associates and family etc. And then there is the national strand handled by the security services. That's all I can really say.

Criminal activity doesn't need to be serious, it just needs to be anything which could compromise your adherence to the core values, put you, or any member of your family, at risk.

Wow - didn't know there were that many! It's good to know though!
That's okay - I was just curious as to what it was they were looking for, not that I have any reason to be failed on vetting - I'm a good boy really!