video:

how to pass the police physical fitness test

PHYSICAL FITNESS

Being a police officer is an arduous job. Not only will you be carrying heavy equipment on your belt, you’ll be expected to run, crouch, and stand for long periods of time while wearing the equipment. You will also have to use force on suspects who resist arrest. For those reasons, it’s imperative that you be physically fit.

 To be successful in the process there are a few key things you can do to prepare:

 1)     First and foremost, get in shape!

2)     Don’t fall into the trap of only being fit enough to pass the pre-hire physical fitness test. The academy physical fitness standard is much more challenging.

3)     Prepare for a career, not just the test. Fitness should be a lifetime goal for police officers.

 

The Pre-Hire Physical Fitness Test

If you are applying to become an Entry Level Police Officer, you are required to successfully complete the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) prior to applying. This test is waived if you are a qualified lateral applicant.

The WSTB test includes several different events. Your performance will be graded based on how long it takes you to complete each event. Lower times equal higher points.

  • Obstacle Course Agility Run: Lowest Possible Time is 14 seconds which equals 248 points

  • Body Drag: Lowest possible time is 2 seconds which equals 63 points

  • Chain Link Fence Climb: Lowest possible time is 4 seconds which equals 120 points

  • Solid fence climb: Lowest possible time is 4 seconds which equals 224 points

  • 500-yard run - Lowest possible timeframe is 53.0 – 55.8 seconds which equals 50 points

The highest possible score is 705 and the minimum acceptable score is 320. To learn more about where to take the test, head over to our Frequently Asked Questions page.

How can I prepare for the physical test?

Please refer to the following links for assistance in preparing for the exams:

POST PELLET-B and WSTB:

https://post.ca.gov/LE-Entry-Level-Test-Battery-Applicant-FAQs

https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests

Where can I register to take the tests?

There are a variety of facilities offering these tests, but applicants often use the South Bay Regional Public Safety Consortium. You can find more information here.

Police Academy Physical Fitness Standards 

“It was ten times harder than the WSTB test!” That was the quote from one of our recent academy graduates when we asked him if the physical fitness standard in the academy was more challenging than the pre-hire physical fitness test. (Fun fact, the officer we asked was a personal trainer prior to being hired and he thought it was hard.) The take-a-way for you is that the WSTB test may not be all that challenging for you but make sure you are ready for a more difficult standard in the police academy. Although the actual standards in the academy may change, a good way to prepare would be to review the standards below and make sure you are ready.

 Sample Police Academy Physical Fitness Standard:

  •  1 ½ miles in 12 minutes or less

  • 300-yard sprint in 55 seconds or less

  • 40 push-ups in 60 seconds or less

  • 40 sit-ups in 60 seconds or less

  • Bench press 80% of your body weight

The police academy will be hard enough without you having to stress about the physical fitness standards. Take the time to get in shape beforehand, not only to pass the tests but also to help prepare you for the career ahead.