NCJ Number
72029
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 28 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1980) Pages: 83-87,89
Date Published
1980
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article by a consultant to the U.S. Department of Justice concerning policewomen covers five interrelated aspects of policing: physical stature, physical agility test, physical training, officer fitness, and firearms.
Abstract
The assumptions that large size equals strength and that strength equals officer safety have both been refuted by empirical evidence. The resulting elimination or reduction of minimum height standards by police departments has greatly aided the policewoman's movement and has occurred without any significant detrimental effects to law enforcement. On the other hand, there is a valid need for some minimum height standard in policing to ensure successful job performance. In a related area of concern, that of physical agility, the majority of police agencies do not use a physical agility test in determining candidate physical fitness. Valid job-related physical agility tests should be developed and used as part of the selection process of officers of both sexes. Further, male and female recruits should be trained together, should be given the same physical training, (with supplemental training for some recruits, if necessary) and should receive training designed to emphasize agility and dexterity skills rather than brute strength. All veteran police officers should receive periodic inservice training in general physical fitness, arrest techniques, and unarmed self-defense. Finally, physically fit officers will be more self-confident and less likely to use deadly force than an unfit, untrained officer. Police agencies must develop comprehensive basic and inservice training programs to ensure safe handling of firearms. Thirteen footnotes are given.