Another question to all you police officers

[Matt Schumann]

Ive posted before about how im pursuing a career in law enforcement. I took the test last May and did very well. I got the list today of where I stand on the waiting list in the city's i picked to be considered for. Surprisingly im only 26th on the list for my own town. I might be tied with other people for the 26th position but im extremely happy considering the hundreds and hundreds of names. (even beat out my own cousin haha!)

This afternoon i sent out a few emails to the chief of police and to another person in charge of the cadet program they have. The chief of police wants my resume to consider me for a cadet position and the other guy i emailed suggested that I get myself physically prepared for the fitness aspect.

I believe the fitness test is your basic running, push-ups, sit-ups etc, also a obsticle course, seperating drills (i think its like breaking up a fight?) etc.... My question is, how much stalk are put into these test? Is it more like a pass/fail or is it more like a who's #1 and whos last? and does you placing have a major effect on them considering you? Do departments look for the big and strong (strongman) type person orthe normal sized, in great over all shape athlete?

I love strongman but being a police officer is my number one goal in life. I just really dont want me being around 230lbs hurt me, i cant really run when im over 200lbs because of knee injuries ive had but if i go all out I can be very athletic.

Any help would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks!

[srojv]

In New York the physicals are scored by each event and they do it by a cetain critera meaning you have to perform say 40 sit ups they must be done a certain way or they don't count and you fail, fail one section and you go home. I have seen a lot of people fail because they were not prepared.

[corey.clark]

Not sure if its the same elsewhere, but when one of the guys I lift with took the physical test, it was a pass/fail kind of thing. During the push ups and sit up parts he said they actually told him to stop once he hit the passing number even though he still had time left - but that could just be how it was done in ny. But yea - as srojv said - in ny fail one part and you failed

[WesleyInman]

Matt,

The tests are generally pass/fail just to get accepted. There may be a percentile, for example if you run the 1.5 mile in under 10minutes as compared to the normal 12:30 you might be considered to score 100%, instead of say 75%...Their is a sit and reach for flexibility again pass and fail, and usually a bench press. They don't care if you can do 5X your bodyweight, so long as you can pass your requirement, and for a male your age its around 100% of your weight on a universal machine, beyond easy.

The academy is a different story...They focus on running, and not necessarily strength. My argument during our 5-10 mile runs was that I would have a vehicle and why do I need to run this far, but to no avail. I was a FLETC graduate (fed law enforcement) years ago...now resigned, but PM me and I can give you the low down. You would do just fine, trust me on this!!

BTW, there are some departments in CT hiring right now, I think Enfield is one, which is right near the border of Mass..do a quick search on CareerBuilder, if I find the link Ill PM you.