Hi Becky

I used to work for a police force up until 2007 so things may have changed!!
But I basically it's as Kate stated. The Police Recruit Standards are set by the Home Office and for the force I was with we set the
standards for specialist posts.
Anyone wanting to go into firearms had an audio prior to undertaking the course as most only had one at time of recruitment.
If they were passed this they then came for full medical - from memory we did have medical standards that were used by larger forces as
ours was quite a small one. Also if I had concerns about any individuals from a mental health viewpoint I did have mental health
professionals I could ask for an assessment, but I have to say hardly any with issues got through the assessments anyway.

Advanced drivers had vision tests and dog handlers had audio's.

Hope this helps but probably best to contact your local force.

regards

Sam


========================================
 Message Received: Jan 02 2012, 07:30 PM
 From: "kate owen" <[log in to unmask]>
 To: [log in to unmask]
 Cc:
 Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] police service medical standards
 
 Becky,
  
 Firstly let me explain that predominantly my role where I work is Case management but I can offer the following and hope it helps.
  
 My understanding is that the medical standards for the recruitment of police officers are set by the Home Office and all forces have to
abide by them. The 'standards' for specialist roles are set by the individual forces (a quick search on the net shows that the MET are
stating they have a more srtingent eyesight test for the firearms officers)
  
 Where I work the firearms officers do the same 'medical' as for the recruits. I am not sure if they do the full medical again but they do
have a vision and hearing screen on application to firearms unit to get base line and because it may have been some years since the
recruit medical.
  
 They also have to pass a much stiffer fitness test to be recruited onto the firearms department and an aptitude assessment. It would be
very hard for someone who isn't fully fit from a mental or physical perspective to pass in my view. So this is a bit like a 'trial of
work' which can be used to ascertain the fitness of an employee in a particular role.
  
 There is no direct entry to these specialist roles so it is worth noting that they are already highly likely to be performing well as a
response officer, which is also a safety critical role, as the competition for these roles is usually fierce.
  
 The dog handlers have similar in that their recruitment to the dog Unit involves fitness test and training that would be highly likely to
identify most issues. They have annual medicals but this seems to be something that has always been done rather than  because it has been
clinically indicated and I have asked the question on many occasion as to who looks at the results and what the process might be if
something gets flagged (something to keep persisting with! if I ever get involved outside of case management!)
  
 We do not have a helicopter so can't help you on the air observer, I know that Essex and the Met do so hopefully someone will respond
from there.
  
 I would be very interested in what others are doing and when I am back to work I will check for any further advice I can offer.
  
 Regards
 Kate 
  
  
 
 ________________________________
  From: REBECCA PICKETT <[log in to unmask]>
 To: [log in to unmask]
 Sent: Monday, 2 January 2012, 17:08
 Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] police service medical standards
  
 
 
 
  
 Hi All
 
 A friend has just asked me what are the differences in medical standards for a police officer and a specialist police officer e.g a
firearms officer/ air observer/ dog handler.
 
 I'm guessing that for some e.g the firearm and air observer officer then the vision requirement are likely to be higher and where they
are in more physical roles then they will need to be fitter, but how is this reflected in the medical assessment, given that HOC 59-2004
is already quite detailed for new recruits,are the standards set a lot higher for these "internal" roles?
 
 Many thanks in advance
 
 Becky
 
   
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