NCJ Number
138286
Journal
Aslet Journal Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Dated: (July/August 1991) Pages: 6-10
Date Published
1992
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The "Human Resource Model" is presented in a practical and outline form to clarify the issues leading to the development of court defensible physical abilities standards, that is, Police Officers' Physical Abilities Tests (POPAT).
Abstract
This model identifies the psychological and physiological components of person (the human resource) and demonstrates the connection between these components. Psychological components include intelligence, knowledge, cognition, and demonstrable psychological characteristics. The physiological components that ultimately may limit an individual's ability to perform work are medical health, physical health, physical fitness, and demonstrable physical abilities. This simplified lay model illustrates the connective sequencing of the physiological components that ultimately instruct (through the cognitive process) the muscles to perform work. The physical structure (anatomy) of the body and its related physiological systems may limit an individual's ability to perform certain types of work. Similarly, the levels of physiological fitness of an individual also may limit his or her ability to perform. The development of POPAT and related tests is based on this model of the human resource. Law enforcement officer applicants need to demonstrate their abilities to "get to the problem," "resolve the problem," and "remove the problem" at the demonstrated levels of "average male prisoner."