Police say they will consider a coroner's recommendations regarding fitness policies for officers.
Palmerston North coroner Tim Scott recommended on Wednesday that police implement a regular fitness programme to avoid deaths such as that of Sergeant Stephen McCarthy.
The Physical Competency Test (PCT) was introduced in 1982. Serving officers up to Commissioned Officer rank must sit the test every two years.
Mr McCarthy died of a heart attack in August last year. He previously failed the test two months earlier and had completed one month of a three-month remedial fitness programme before choosing to re-sit the test.
National manager of wellness and safety Stu Duncan told Checkpoint on Thursday police are considering asking more health-related questions before a PCT course can be taken.
"We're yet to receive the acutal recommendations. We did have some officers present and we have some indication of what the coroner stated. Once we receive the full written report, we'll take that into consideration and make whatever changes are deemed necessary."
Mr Duncan says sergeant is the first officer to have died following the test.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Michael Player says the fitness regime of police was already being looked at following a report by the University of Otago.
The Police Association's national president says he is more than happy with fitness policies. Greg O'Connor says the test is designed to keep officers fit and he does not believe police need any other scheme.
