Physical Fitness Test

The San Juan Police Department Physical Fitness Test:

The San Juan Police Department, in recognizing the importance of physical fitness status for job performance, has established physical fitness standards for applicants. A validation study was conducted to determine what areas of physical fitness are important for doing the job of officer and what level of fitness is necessary to perform the strenuous and essential functions of the job. You will be expected to meet the physical fitness test standards to be selected for the position of police officer for the city of San Juan, Texas.

What is Physical Fitness? 

Physical fitness is having the physical readiness to perform the strenuous and critical physical tasks of the job. The physical fitness areas that have been determined to be the underlying factors for your capabilities to do the job consist of six (6) specific and different areas.

  • Aerobic power or cardiovascular endurance.
    This is having an efficient heart and cardiovascular system so that you can perform physical tasks over a sustained period of time. It is an important area for performing job tasks such as making foot pursuits and long term use of force situations.
  • Anaerobic power. 
    This is having the ability to make short intense bursts of effort. This is an important area for performing job tasks such as short sprint pursuit situations.
  • Upper body absolute strength. 
    This is having the upper body strength to make maximal efforts against a resistance. This is important for performing physical tasks that require lifting, carrying, and pushing.
  •  Upper body muscular endurance.
    This is having the capability to make repeated muscular contractions with the upper body without getting fatigued. This is important for many use of force job tasks.
  • Leg explosive strength or power. 
    This is having the capability to jump with power. This is also having the ability to make short intense bursts of effort. This is an important area for performing job tasks such as jumping over obstacles and sprinting in pursuit situations.
  • Abdominal muscular endurance.
    This is having the capability to make repeated muscular contractions with the abdominal area without getting fatigued. Your abdomen is the fulcrum of your body and is important in many tasks involving lifting, pulling, and dragging.

Why is Physical Fitness important?

First, physical fitness is important because the six physical fitness areas determine an individual’s capability to do strenuous job tasks. Physical fitness is a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ). Secondly, physical fitness is important to minimize health risks for health problems such as heart disease, stroke and obesity – all of which can affect job performance capabilities.

How will Physical Fitness be measured?

There are six (6) physical fitness tests that will be given in one day as a battery of tests.


PHASE 1

1.5 Mile Run is a measure of cardiovascular endurance and aerobic capacity.  This is important for events lasting two minutes or more such as pursuits of use of force.  The test is performed on a 440 yard track.  The applicant is required to run six (6) laps in an oval track.  The standard passing time for any gender and age is 14 minutes and 26 seconds.  Should the applicant fail to pass within the required time, he or she will be disqualified from proceeding further in the testing process.

Testing Procedures:

  • Warm-up for 15-20 minutes
  • Run six (6) laps around the 440 yard oval track
  • Score is the time taken to complete the task
  • Cool down for 15-20 minutes after completing the task

PHASE 2

The 300 Meter Sprint is a measure of cardiovascular endurance.  The test is performed on a 440 yard track.  The applicant is required to sprint 300 meters from the designated starting point to the finish point.  The standard passing time for any gender and age is 1 minute and 11 seconds.  Should the applicant fail to pass within the required time, he or she will be disqualified from proceeding further in the testing process.

Testing Procedures:

  • Warm-up for 15-20 minutes
  • Run 300 meters in a 440 yard oval track
  • Score is the time taken to complete the task
  • Cool down for 15-20 minutes after completing the task

PHASE 3

The Dummy Drag has a dead weight of 165 lbs (pounds).  It is placed in the back seat of a police unit.  The Applicant will then extract the dummy from the back seat, simulating an unconscious person trapped inside the vehicle.  The Applicant will then drag the dummy 50 feet with their upper and lower body strength until the task is completed.  This test also measures the flexibility of the applicant.  The standards passing time for any gender or age is 30 seconds.

Should the applicant fail to pass within the required time, he or she will be disqualified from proceeding further in the testing process.