(A) Physical fitness evaluation. Consistent with the implementation of the Peace Officer Professional Standards and Certification Act, all applicants for the position of police officer shall be required to pass a battery of physical fitness tests.
(1) Applicants will be required to complete a battery of tests, consisting of a 1.5-mile run, 300-meter run, maximum push up, one repetition maximum bench press, and one-minute sit-up.
(2) Applicants may be required to have a medical examination to determine if they can safely participate in the physical agility testing. All applicants must have Kentucky Law Enforcement Council Medical Release Form(s) and signed by a physician if required.
(3) In response to legislation enacted by the 1998 Kentucky General Assembly, KRS 15.382, the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council and the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training, established physical training standards for pre-selection screening of peace officer applicants. The Department conducted a validation study to determine which areas of physical fitness are necessary to perform the job of a Kentucky peace officer, and the level of fitness necessary to perform the essential functions of Basic Training. Currently, the test battery consists of five items. Dr. Bryant Stamford and Dr. Robert Moffatt completed the present study in the summer of 2009. This new approach employs an “overall” scoring scheme which allows a lower score on one test item to be compensated by a higher score on another test item.
(4) The evaluation is for the purpose of demonstrating physical skills necessary to perform essential job functions and to determine as accurately as possible the ability of the applicant to cope with the extreme physical stress of a police officer. The evaluation shall be conducted and supervised by KLEC staff and monitored by designee(s) of the Chief of Police. The officer designated to perform background investigations shall express a written opinion to the Chief of Police as to each applicant’s ability to perform physical tasks relative to real tasks performed on the job.
(5) Each applicant shall receive a copy of the evaluation format a reasonable amount of time prior to the evaluation.
(B) Physical fitness. Physical fitness means having the physical readiness to perform the strenuous and critical tasks of the job. The physical fitness areas that have been determined to be the underlying factors for an officer's capability to do the job consist of five specific and different areas.
(1) Aerobic power or cardiovascular endurance. This is having an efficient heart and cardiovascular system so that an officer can perform physical tasks over a sustained period of time. It is an important area for performing job tasks such as making foot pursuits and long-term use of force situations.
(2) Anaerobic power. This is having the ability to make short intense bursts of effort. This is an important area for performing job tasks such as short sprint pursuit situations.
(3) Upper body absolute strength. This is having the upper body strength to make maximal efforts against a resistance. This is important for performing physical tasks that require lifting, carrying and pushing.
(4) Upper body muscular endurance. This is having the capability to make repeated muscular contractions with the upper body without getting fatigued. This is important for much use of force job tasks.
(5) Trunk or abdominal muscular endurance. This is having the capability to make repeated muscular contractions with the abdominal area without getting fatigued. The abdomen is the fulcrum of the body and is important in many tasks involving lifting, pulling and dragging.
(C) Measurement.
(1) Physical fitness will be measured during the performance of five physical fitness tests that will be given in three hours in one day.
(a) One and one half-mile run. This measures aerobic power or cardiovascular endurance (the ability to have stamina over time). This test consists of running/walking, as fast as possible, the distance of 1.5 miles.
(b) Three hundred meter run. This measures aerobic power or the ability to make an intense burst of effort for a short time period or distance. This test consists of sprinting 300 meters as fast as possible.
(c) One repetition maximum (rm) bench-press. This measures the absolute strength of the upper body. The candidate lies on a bench and pushes up as much weight as possible one time.
(d) Maximum push up test. This measures the muscular endurance of the upper body. The candidate executes as many push-ups as possible from the front, lean and rest position with no time limit.
(e) One minute sit up test. This measures the abdominal or trunk muscular endurance. While lying on the ground, the candidate executes in one minute as many bent leg sit ups as possible.
(2) The procedure and order for testing will be as follows. Five physical fitness tests will be given in three hours, in the following order:
(a) Bench press (percent of body weight – conversion);
(b) Sit up test (one minute time limit);
(c) Three hundred meter run;
(d) Push up test (two-minute time limit); and
(e) One and one-half mile run.
(3) The following chart is used to determine the points earned for each event. In order to meet the state standard, an overall minimum of 50 points must be achieved. Failure to meet the overall minimum requirement constitutes a failure for the test battery.
(4) Physical performance points distribution:
Event
| 9 pts | 9.5 pts | 10 pts | 10.5 pts | 11 points |
Bench Press (% body weight) | 55.3% | 59.7% | 64% | 68.5% | >73% |
Sit ups (repetitions) | 13 | 16 | 18 | ----- | >18 |
300-meter run (seconds) | 68 | 67 | 65 | ----- | 65 |
Push-ups (repetitions) | 14 | 17 | 20 | 23 | >25 |
1.5 mile run (min:sec) | 17:56 | 17:54 | 17:12 | 16:44 | <16:15 |
Rating Point Value: A total of 55 points possible | |||||
(D) Annual medical examination.
(1) Effective July 1, 1994, sworn officers of the Department shall receive a comprehensive yearly medical examination at no cost to the officer. This examination will be provided by a physician selected by the city. Participation in this program for officers hired prior to July 1, 1994, is voluntary.
(2) Each sworn officer employed after July 1, 1994, is required to participate in the yearly medical examination. Results of the individual medical examinations are confidential and will not be reported to the city. Medical concerns identified by the physician will be referred to the officer for follow-up with his/her personal physician.
(Ord. 174, 2022, passed 11-17-22; Am. Ord. 86, 2023, passed 6-23-23)