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THE EXAMS
Every law enforcement agency has health standards, physical ability standards, and mental ability
standards. Every recruit must undergo a comprehensive medical examination. All agencies require
overall good health because law enforcement work is always demanding. In addition, many agencies have
specific requirements with respect to size, vision, hearing, or some other dimension. The requirements
of some federal agencies are enumerated in the chapter called How to Qualify. If you have any doubts
about your own medical qualifications for the position you seek, ask questions before you go through the
time and trouble of applying.
Physical fitness is another prerequisite for nearly all law enforcement positions. Some agencies have
pre-entry requirements, a physical power exam that applicants must pass to be admitted to training. Others
have a physical exam that must be passed at the end of training and conditioning. Each agency devises
its own exam; each exam differs in details. Each exam seeks to measure stamina for the job at hand.
The following sample physical fitness test for Police Officers is a typical one. This particular test is
given to candidates who have passed the written exam and the medical examination. Admission to the
police academy is contingent upon passing this physical fitness test.
Sample Physical Fitness Test
To become a Police Officer, candidates must pass a qualifying physical fitness test. Only candidates who
have passed the written test for Police Officers will be called for the physical test.
Medical evidence to allow participation in the physical fitness test may be required, and the
Department of Personnel reserves the right to exclude from the physical test any eligibles who, upon
examination of such evidence, are apparently medically unfit. Eligibles will take the physical fitness test
at their own risk of injury, although efforts will be made to safeguard them. Candidates must complete
the entire course consisting of 10 events in not more than 2 minutes and 15 seconds. Candidates who do
not successfully complete events 4, 5, 7, or 9 will be considered to have taken the maximum amount of
time indicated for each event not successfully completed. Candidates who do not successfully complete
events 3, 6, or 8 will be penalized the amount of time indicated. Candidates who do not successfully
complete an event should immediately proceed to the next event. Penalty times for events 3, 6, or 8 and
additional time for not successfully completing events 4, 5, 7, or 9 will be added to the total time of
candidates after they have completed the test.
DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS
1. Run up 3 flights of stairs, down 1 flight, and then 9 yards to a track.
2. Run 90 yards around the track.
3. Run approximately 5 yards to a maze of 6 cones set 3 feet apart and follow a prescribed course through
the maze. Penalty time is 5 seconds for missing a turn in the maze.
4. Run 10 yards and go over a 5-foot wall. Maximum time 30 seconds.
5. Run approximately 5 feet to a wooden box weighing approximately 100 pounds. Push the box a
distance of 10 feet. Maximum time 30 seconds.
6. Run approximately 4 yards and jump across a 3-foot space. Penalty time 15 seconds.
7. Run 7 yards and go over a 3-foot-high barrier. Maximum time 15 seconds.
