News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A policewoman who repeatedly failed a fitness test and was dubbed 'Blue Moon' due to how often she was absent from work, has lost a discrimination case.

Detective constable Rebecca Tiffin resigned after claiming she felt she was being "over-scrutinised" by Surrey Police after failing to complete the mandatory fitness test.

She then tried to sue the force for disability and sex discrimination - but a judge today rule against her, saying it was her "choice" to leave the force after securing "alternative employment which suited her."

She told a tribunal she had an under-active thyroid gland which caused her to pile on the pounds and was also suffering from stress, anxiety and depression.

(Image: INS News Agency Ltd) (Image: INS News Agency Ltd)

The detective had been nicknamed "Blue Moon" by her colleagues due to frequent periods of absence due to health problems and attempted to move her tests on a number of occasions due to a sinus infection or child care issues.

Tiffin, of Warren Drive in Tolworth, Surrey, lost her case after the tribunal court in Reading, Berkshire, found she was not suffering a disadvantage in the test because of her gender but because of her lack of fitness.

The court also heard that her superior, Detective Inspector Rebecca Molyneux, had allowed Ms Tiffin access to the gym facilities at Staines Police Station and encouraged her to use them in her lunch breaks, invited her to join a staff running club, and even underwent the bleep test with her as support.

In relation to the claims alleging disability discrimination, employment tribunal judge Stephen Vowles concluded in a written judgement that the Detective Constable had been subject to the same performance procedures as any other officer in the force.

(Image: INS News Agency Ltd)

He ruled that Ms Tiffin had not been subject to discrimination or harassment in relation to her disability or sex, that she was not victimised by the force and that the force did not fail to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate her needs.

Addressing claims that she was pushed out of the force by her superiors, he said: "During the course of the proceedings and before the start of the hearing, the respondent conceded that the claimant was a disabled person by reason of depression and hypothyroidism."

However, he added: "The requirement to pass the Annual Fitness Assessment applied to all operational officers within Surrey Police and eventually nationally and was a necessary requirement for safety and operational reasons.

"The claimant was not 'forced' to resign.

"That was her choice and done at least in part because she had secured alternative employment which suited her."