Police chiefs give up plans to dock pay of PCs who are too fat to catch criminals... because they fear being sued Annual fitness tests were part of stringent plans to reform policing culture But ahead of first planned tests next month they have been watered down Catch me if you can... Critics have claimed that some PCs are so overweight they are unable to chase down fleeing criminals Fitness tests designed to ensure that police officers can move fast enough to catch criminals have been quietly watered down for fear of legal action and compensation claims. All employees - including chief constables and civilian Community Support Officers - were intended to do annual running exercises as part of stringent plans to reform policing culture. Anyone who failed the test three times could have had their pay docked under proposals made last year by leading lawyer Tom Winsor, who is now the Chief Inspector of Constabulary. Mr Winsor has previously complained that while in the past officers walked miles on the beat, too many are now desk-bound. Critics have also claimed that some PCs are so overweight they are unable to chase down fleeing criminals. But ahead of the first national fitness tests in September, the plans have been watered down by a Home Office advisory group, so that: Anyone who fails will be "supported" in line with procedures for unsatisfactory performance, rather than disciplined. Officers who are "anxious" will be allowed to do practice runs in a "non-threatening environment." Some officers could also be spared the test altogether, with the police "union" claiming detectives would not have to. Civilian staff will not yet have to prove their fitness. The guidance, published last month by the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales, makes clear that much of the board's caution is a response to the growing compensation culture within the police. It is feared that women or older officers could claim that the test is much easier for young men to pass, and that anyone who failed could sue if they were then allowed to take part in frontline training and sustained an injury. The new report states: "This guidance sets out how forces should implement the new arrangements to ensure that the fitness tests do not unlawfully discriminate against officers because of their disability, gender or age. The work seeks also to reduce the risk of a legislative breach of the law relating to health and safety and subsequent challenge because of injury or illness suffered by an officer. Mr Winsor's original report recommended: "Those who fail three times should be subject to the appropriate disciplinary procedures." Strenuous work: Riot police in training. All employees - including chief constables and civilian Community Support Officers - were intended to do annual running exercises as part of plans to reform policing culture But the Police Advisory Board, whose members include representatives of all ranks, "reconsidered" this and concluded: "Supportive action should be provided by forces to officers who fail the test." In addition, this year there should be "no sanction applied to those officers who fail the fitness test or to those who are unable to take it because of a medical reason." Watered down: Leading lawyer Tom Winsor, who is now the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, put forward the proposals last year Although Mr Winsor said "relevant" civilian employees such as PCSOs should also do the tests, "no decision has been made with respect to fitness testing for police staff." It has even been claimed that only those on the front line who have to do regular Officer Safety Training - exercises that simulate violent attacks or riots - need take it. Jayne Monkhouse, equality adviser for the Police Federation, which represents the rank and file, said: "A detective inspector, for example, may not have to do officer safety training in their role, so they are under no obligation to do the test." Whitehall sources, however, insist it would be "extremely rare" for detectives to be let off. Those who do fail could be taken off Officer Safety Training and placed in a backroom role instead. "It may not be a defensible position to allow participation in OST following a failure which could render the force legally liable if an injury was to occur," says the board's guidance. But the main fear is that officers will use Labour's Equality Act to launch compensation claims, after trials in Hampshire found 5.3 per cent of women failed the test compared with 0.6 per cent of men. Officers over the age of 40 were also less likely to pass. The panel decided to "monitor" this year's results to see whether any group is disadvantaged before recommending changes to the College of Policing, the professional body that will draw up the final rules.