NCJ Number
111417
Date Published
1985
Length
116 pages
Annotation
This analysis of job tasks involving various levels of physical ability for line entry police officers of the Metro-Dade Police Department (Florida) produces recommendations for applicant screening and officer training.
Abstract
Using a questionnaire, data were obtained from 248 randomly selected police officers who did not have specialized assignments at the time of selection. Females comprised 31.3 percent of the sample. Notable differences in frequency of task encounter or performance for males and females were found in the following activities involving various physical abilities: grip strength, balancing, run assist officer, carry or lift 50 pounds, drag 100 pounds, subdue suspects, jump, run long distance, climb through window, push disabled vehicle, forcible entry, climb onto roof, climb concrete fence, climb wooden fence, and water rescue. There were also differences in the perception of importance of various tasks based on sex. The study recommends a physical agility orientation package for police applicants and the administering of a physical agility examination to all police applicants as part of the personnel selection process. A remedial training program should be provided to interested applicants based on the parameters enumerated in this study. The training curriculum should encompass physical agility, and inservice training and testing should be provided to all sworn personnel using tasks in the agility examination. Appended questionnaire, data tables and 5 references.