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Force Medical Examination

Police Officers encounter stressful situations, long hours and shift work. Applicants need to be fit to deal with the pressures of being a police officer. They should therefore be in good health both mentally and physically in order to cope with the demands of police work.

Disability Discrimination Act 1995

From 1st October 2004 under the Disability Discrimination Act is is unlawful to exclude candidates automatically on the basis of a medical condition or disability.

Rejection on medical grounds must be justified in terms of the aspects of the job which the applicant would be unable to carry out with a specific condition, illness or disease even if reasonable adjustments were made. Consideration should be given to the nature and extent of the disability, any adjustment which can be made, costs and practicality and likely effectiveness.

All applicants will be judged on individual merit therefore there is no definite list on what grounds a candidate would be refused entry on medical grounds.

The following areas of health are examined during the medical examination:

• Height

• Weight

• Body Mass Index (BMI)

• Blood Pressure

• Eyesight

• Hearing

• Urine Test (Drugs, Sugar, Protein, Blood etc).

• Heart

• Lungs

• Colour Vision

• Reflexes

• Muscles & Joint examination (Where required)

Some forces request that you take a full eye test at an opticians and submit their report to your force Occupational Health Unit. The cost of this external exam is normally reimbursed by your force.

Check your Body Mass Index (provided by Tesco)

Home Office Circular

Weight	BMI
Underweight	Under 18.5
Normal	18.5 - 24.9
Overweight	25 - 29.9
Obese	Over 30

A copy of the Home Office Circular regarding the medical examination can be found in the download section (registration required).

Kit & Equipment