September 7, 2026, 6:06 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Anyone wanting to become a police officer in Berlin must first demonstrate that they meet the physical demands of the job. The police academy’s fitness test includes a challenging obstacle course that all applicants must complete within a set time.
These Tasks Await in the Fitness Test
The course consists of five rounds with various obstacles: Applicants must jump over boxes and a barrier, flip a 65-kilogram old tire, scale a 1.8-meter climbing wall, and move a rescue dummy. According to training officer Thomas Mehlert, the exercises are based on typical situations in police work. Rescuing injured people, overcoming obstacles, or moving vehicles are all part of the job.
Also of interest: What you need to know for the KSK fitness test
There are fixed time requirements for the test: Women have just under four minutes, while men must complete the course in 3:32 minutes.
Sick Leave Regulations in Germany Further Relaxed
Expert Tips for Everyday Life: Exercise as the Key to Mental Strength
Why the Police Focus on Fitness
The Berlin police are urgently seeking new recruits. According to Police President Barbara Slowik Meisel, this is not due to changed requirements. “In 15 years, we have not lowered our standards. The tests have not become easier, yet rejection rates are rising,” Meisel explains.
In addition to physical fitness, language skills are also crucial. Of the 10,874 applicants in 2024 and 2025, 4,271 failed the German test. This corresponds to 39.3 percent.
BILD Reporter Tries the Entrance Test
To find out how demanding the fitness test really is, BILD police reporter Axel Lier (50) took the test himself. He completed the course in 2:54 minutes. While the first rounds were easy, fatigue and disorientation set in later. During the dummy rescue, the reporter’s stamina began to wane.
Afterward, the reporter also tried the dictation test that applicants must pass during the selection process. A text of about 200 words is dictated through headphones. The police do not disclose how many errors are allowed.
Despite the current recruitment crisis, Police President Slowik Meisel sees light at the end of the tunnel: “The country’s economic situation is driving more suitable applicants to us. And no one needs to fear AI. Police work remains human, close to the citizen.”