Understanding Physical Fitness and Employment Standards

Physical screening and testing is a contested requirement amongst law enforcement personnel with a disconnect between requirement and intent often exacerbated by the failure of parties to fully understand the purpose of the measures. This session will examine four key intents behind physical screening and testing and provide research supporting their use (inclusive of graded versus neutral sex/age standards). Offering multiple case studies to provide examples, the development, implementation and downstream effects of some programs will be examined with subsequent approaches to optimize the implementation of screening and testing programs presented. Finally, three showcases, drawn from US agencies, will provide unique and specific insights.