Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Hey I'm 16 and I've just realized that i should probably start working out now since I'm growing like crazy...
So I was wondering how fit you actually have to be to become an officer? Am i going to have to be able to run five miles? Do 20 pullups? I know there is no way to tell someone exactly how fit they have to be but give me an estimate. :) If you need more information like how heavy I am or soemthing just ask. thanks!

Fitness goals are very dependant on each individual. Not only do you need to know where you are starting, but where you want to go.

Hey I'm 16 and I've just realized that i should probably start working out now since I'm growing like crazy...
So I was wondering how fit you actually have to be? Am i going to have to be able to run five miles? Do 20 pullups? I know there is no way to tell someone exactly how fit they have to be but give me an estimate. :) If you need more information like how heavy I am or soemthing just ask. thanks!

Are you asking how fit you have to be to become a Police Officer? If so you should put that in there. Just my .2 cents though. :D

1. thanks pookie...fixed that :)
2. Well I was wondering more about how fit I would need to be to pass a police fitness test? I don't know if you're allowed to tell me anything about that though :P

Tests can vary greatly from state to state and, in some cases, department to department. I would suggest looking at the departments that interest you and finding determining the specific standards.

I would suggest, however, that you aim for the top end. Passing and being qualified is a far cry from being in the "most competitive" group from which most are hired. Competition is stiff and you will rarely get hired just passing.

Different departments have different standards.
Try going to a few PD websites and checking out their hiring criteria

You should be as fit as you can possibly get.

What I mean by that is, kick your own arse and try to get in the best shape you can get yourself into. Yes, that's specific to your own capabilities - you will find others who are more fit then you. And, yes, that is setting the bar very high - the best shape possible. But 1) you should never set your goals at minimum standards - you should always challenge yourself to the best of your abilities, and 2) when you are testing for a dept - many years from now, youngin - the LAST thing you want is to wasted energy on worrying about the physical agility test. Focus your energy on testing well and interviewing well. The physical agility should just be something you have to do, not something you have to pass.

May I add music helps one to perform and push into overdrive. :D

Given that you are 16, and you are in a growth spurt, I would focus on low impact things until your growth plateaus. IE, no smashing yourself in the bones with a hammer to toughen up! :p

Given that you have grown much recently, balance and coordination should be somewhat of a focus, as it takes the brain a bit to catch up with automatic movements (hence why teenagers are so freaking clumsy!).

American Family allows people under 18 and they should have fitness instructors there for their members. Best thing is to go to someone with knowledge in person and have them give you an assessment.

If you want to just mess around, here is what my PAT was for Richmond:

The fitness test consists of the following below. The time limit for the fitness test is 6 minutes 18 seconds.

1. The test begins from a seated position at which time a street address will be given. This address must be repeated correctly at the end of the test.
2. Run 200 yards (Up and back a 50 foot distance six times)
3. Step up on aerobic step bench 20 times.
4. Perform 15 push-ups
5. Perform 15 sit-ups
6. Step up on aerobic step bench 20 times.
7. Perform 15 push-ups
8. Perform 15 sit-ups
9. Run 200 yards (Up and back a 50 foot distance six times)
10. Street Recall (If incorrect, penalty is to repeat 200 yard run)\

Now, as for the actual academy I am pretty sure we will be running 6 miles in the morning as part of the PT.

There is a Law Fit course that a lot of departments use for their PAT, you can probably do a search to find out what it consists of.

Have fun! :D

Given that you are 16, and you are in a growth spurt, I would focus on low impact things until your growth plateaus. IE, no smashing yourself in the bones with a hammer to toughen up! :p

Given that you have grown much recently, balance and coordination should be somewhat of a focus, as it takes the brain a bit to catch up with automatic movements (hence why teenagers are so freaking clumsy!).

American Family allows people under 18 and they should have fitness instructors there for their members. Best thing is to go to someone with knowledge in person and have them give you an assessment.

If you want to just mess around, here is what my PAT was for Richmond:

The fitness test consists of the following below. The time limit for the fitness test is 6 minutes 18 seconds.

1. The test begins from a seated position at which time a street address will be given. This address must be repeated correctly at the end of the test.
2. Run 200 yards (Up and back a 50 foot distance six times)
..................

Have fun! :D
Thanks :D Just what I was looking for! I'll have to try this out around my neighborhood. Thanks again :D

No problem! :D