You basically have to be fit enough to pass all the various fitness tests.
You don't have to have perfect eyesight to be a police officer, only to join the fire brigade.
Here's the drill for my local force (Sussex) from the website sussex.police.uk -
Fitness and Health
The Two Assessments
Initially, you will be required to undertake the fitech health screen. This assessment of health has two functions:
a) to enable Sussex Police to ensure recruits' health is of a satisfactory standard to allow them to undertake the more strenuous role related fitness/competency assessment and
b) to minimise the risk to the health of all potential recruits.
If all is well with the fitech health screen you will be invited to undertake the role related fitness assessment. This test is not strictly a Fitness and Health but a combination of fitness and competency.
The competency is to ensure that potential recruits can perform the skills required by officers whilst on duty, ie climbing, jumping and dragging.
The Two Assessments
a) Fitech Health Screen
Candidates will be required to complete this test and obtain an 'Average' or above rating in order to undertake the more physically demanding (b)stage.
The Fitech Health Screen consists of:
Height/weight (body mass index)
% Body fat analysis
Blood pressure/resting heart
Micro spirometry (lung function)
Cardio vascular (Vo2 uptake). 6 minutes exercise cycle at a comfortable rate (sub maximal test)
Lower back flexibility (sit and reach)
Grip strength
Each candidate will be required to complete the full assessment and receive a diagnostic report on their health. In order to continue with stage (b) an average rating will be required.
It is important to Sussex Police that we do not ask candidates to undergo physical exertion without first ensuring that they are capable of undertaking assessments without causing harm to themselves.
(b) Role Related Fitness Assessment
The assessment comprises an obstacle course containing nine of the most frequently performed activities, namely crawling, jumping, bending, stair-climbing, balancing, wall-gateclimb, weaving, carrying, dragging and running.
The activities are arranged in a scenario-type configuration allowing the candidate to complete each activity consecutively and within a reasonable time.
CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THREE CIRCUITS OF THE COURSE
CRAWLING - The activity involves crawling for a distance of 2.7 metres along a confined area. The height of the area is 100cms and 90cms wide and the roof is constructed of wooden struts. If the candidate dislodges or removes any of the struts they will be required to make a second attempt.
A candidate fails the assessment if they have three successive failures in one lap.
JUMPING - The jump is executed from a 61cms square take off zone and is measured at 1.2 metres.
CLIMBING STAIRS - The first two steps are at vehicle entry height (Land Rover) with the remaining four at normal stair length.
Candidates are not allowed to gain assistance from the side rail or knock over the aperture cross member Ð see bending. If this should occur candidates will be required to make a second attempt. It is however permitted to touch the stairs with the fingertips in order to maintain balance.
BENDING - This is assessed by the provision of an aperture on entry and exit from the stair system. BALANCING - This is along an L shape beam 2.7 metres length. The L shape demonstrates control or turning. The candidate must step on the 15cms marked area at the start and end of the obstacle. A fault occurs when a candidate falls off or knocks the cone adjacent to the right angle.
CLIMBING OBSTACLES - Candidates will either climb or vault the obstacle which comprises the centre portion of 'the stairs'.
WEAVING - In order to assess the ability to move at speed around obstacles, six cones are placed offset to each other. The candidate must move through the task without moving any of the cones. If a cone is moved the candidate must finish the task and return to the beginning for a further attempt.
CARRYING - The candidate is asked to pick up two cones and carry them round a further cone placed 1.8 metres away returning them to the box indicated. If a cone is dropped the candidate will be required to make a second attempt.
DRAGGING - The candidate will, using the handle, pull the dummy - 35 kilo weight - around a 4.6 metres course and return it to the box. The dummy will be placed wholly in the boxed area. Candidates will ensure that the conditions are met before moving on.
RUN - On completion of the drag the candidate will run 27.5 metres along an L shaped course. 9.2/18.3 metres to the Start/Finish Line