Victoria von Wachter represented the Respondent in Bamber v. Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police. On grounds of both indirect sex and age discrimination, Inspector Bamber challenged the imposition of fitness standards for Public Order Training, based upon the 'Shield Run' first introduced by the Metropolitan Police following the Notting Hill Carnival incidents.　 On the facts, the ET held that there was no scientific basis for establishing a level of fitness in this manner. The ET further held that there was no clear evidence that this level of fitness was an absolute requirement before Public Order training could be started.　 Accordingly, the standard was not a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.

While only a first-instance decision, the ET’s ruling suggests that police forces deploying this fitness standard should be prepared to objectively justify its imposition.

Victoria von Wachter has extensive experience in employment litigation connected to police forces, in particular discrimination cases.