Police officer physical ability testing Revalidating a selection criterion

The aim of this study was to determine the bona fide occupational requirements of general duty police work, and use this information to revalidate a physical abilities test used in the police recruit selection process. A systematic random sample n 267 of general duty police officers completed two questionnaires one concerning average duties, and one concerning the most physically demanding critical incident occurring in the 12 months prior. Of those completing the surveys, observational data were collected on every second officer, resulting in observational data collected for 121 officers, involving the recording of all physical activities and movement patterns observed throughout a ten hour shift. Data collected suggest there is a core of bona fide occupational requirements for general duty police work walking, climbing stairs, manipulating objects, twistingturning, pullingpushing, running, bending, squatting and kneeling, and lifting and carrying. Many of these are involved in physical control of suspects, and can be tested using a well designed physical abilities test that simulates getting to the problem, controlling the problem, and removing the problem.