NCJ Number
83376
Date Published
1982
Length
91 pages
Annotation
This physical performance testing manual instructs California's local law enforcement agencies in the proper administration of two alternate physical performance tests.
Abstract
This manual represents the culmination of a major research effort by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to develop job-related tests of physical ability that may be used by local agencies to select entry-level patrol officers. The manual provides an overview of how the tests were developed, discusses the physical job demands underlying the use of the tests, and addresses the need to substantiate these physical job demands at the local agency level. Specific instructions for administering the tests are presented, and test scoring procedures are explained. The tests described in the manual may also be used to assess the physical abilities of incumbent officers as part of a physical fitness maintenance program. Both sets of tests were administered to 92 basic academy cadets and 49 incumbent officers for purposes of assessing the job-relatedness of the tests. Six of the original seven tests of simulated job tasks were found to be sufficiently reliable to retain in the Work Sample Test Battery. They are (1) body drag (lift and drag 165-pound life-size dummy 21 feet), (2) 6-foot solid fence climb (run 25 yds., climb fence, continue running 5 yds.), (3) 6-foot chain link fence climb, (4) agility run (70-yard course requiring abrupt changes in lateral and vertical movement), (5) body carry (lift and carry 165-pound life-size dummy 90 feet), and (6) 550-yard run (no obstacles). For a description of other aspects of entry-level law enforcement testing in California, see NCJ 83375. Details of project methodology and forms are appended, and six references are provided.