This analysis presents conclusions supported by data collected from numerous performance standards validation studies utilizing Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies documenting several fitness areas which underlie specific task performance.
In examining the issue of how law enforcement agencies can determine that being physically fit is job related, data collected in the last 15 years show that fitness areas such as aerobic and anaerobic power, strength, flexibility, explosive power, and agility underlie specific task performance. This analysis presents conclusions supported by data collected from 34 physical performance standards validation studies performed on more than 5,500 incumbent officers representing 75 Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies. The results of the validation studies provide data that suggest which fitness areas are underlying and predictive of safe and effective performance of law enforcement physical tasks. Critical and frequent tasks were operationalized into three basic events containing the specific tasks: roadway clearance, victim extraction, and sustained foot pursuit. The tests in the physical fitness battery measured the fitness factors the incumbent officers rated as important and necessary to perform the job. In addition, in determining the fitness areas that are the underlying and predictive factors for performing essential physical tasks required some basic analyses: correlation and regression. Again, the underlying factors or physical abilities that determine a law enforcement officer’s capabilities to perform essential physical tasks included: aerobic power, anaerobic power, upper-body strength, upper-body muscular endurance, abdominal muscular endurance, explosive leg power, and agility. The implications of these findings include: (1) test for these areas to ensure that officers have the physical abilities to perform the essential tasks of the job; (2) develop performance standards in these areas; and (3) provide training programs to ensure officers have the skills and knowledge to maintain personal conditioning programs during their careers. References