A SENIOR North-East police officer could be forgiven for looking red-faced after failing a fitness test.

Cleveland Chief Constable Jacqui Cheer is believed to be the highest ranking officer to fail the bleep test.

The force has admitted the police chief scored 4.2 on the test - compared to the 5.4 rank and file officers will need to pass when the test goes live in September next year.

Mrs Cheer, 52, who spent 28 years in uniform, attempted the test during a day-long familiarisation programme.

Cleveland Police stressed that only front-line officers who undertook safety training for roles such as patrolling would need to pass the test.

A spokesman said: “Over the summer a familiarisation exercise was run so that officers could see what the tests would entail, and the Chief Constable took part in the full day as she was keen to see what tests the officers would undergo, as well as supporting her staff.

“As she does not undertake an active operational role, she is not required to take the fitness test."

Under the Government plans, officers have to reach level 5.4 of the beep test, which involves completing a series of 15-metre shuttle runs at ever increasing speed.

If they succeed, they will have been able to run for 3 min 34 sec.

Those who fail will be given a fitness plan and 12 months to measure up - or face dismissal for unsatisfactory performance.

Elsewhere in the region, Durham Police said Chief Constable Mike Barton had not yet taken the test, but Deputy Chief Constable Michael Banks and Assistant Chief Constable Dave Orford had both taken and passed this test.

North Yorkshire Police said Chief Constable Dave Jones had not taken the fitness test as he was recovering from a foot injury.

“However, he is determined to take the test at the earliest opportunity,” a spokesman added.

A spokesman for the Police Federation of England and Wales said: "The Police Federation feels that police officers should be fit to perform the role they do and we need to be realistic about the fact that a Chief Constable is not going to be knocking down doors and arresting people in the town centre on a Saturday night."