Time Spent Working in Custody Influences Work Sample Test Battery Performance of Deputy Sheriffs Compared to Recruits

This study determined the influence of years spent working in custody on fitness measured by a state-specific testing battery (Work Sample Test Battery; WSTB) in deputy sheriffs. Retrospective analysis was conducted on one patrol school class (51 males, 13 females) divided into three groups depending on time spent working in custody: DS24 (<24 months; n = 20); DS2547 (25–47 months; n = 23); and DS48+ (≥48 months; n = 21). These groups were compared to a recruit class (REC; 219 males, 34 females) in the WSTB, which comprised five tasks completed for time: 99-yard (90.53-m) obstacle course (99OC); 165-pound (75-kg) dummy drag; six-foot (1.83-m) chain link fence (CLF) and solid wall (SW) climb; and 500-yard (457.2-m) run (500R). A univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) (controlling for sex and age) with Bonferroni post hoc determined significant between-group differences. DS48+ were slower in the 99OC compared to the REC (p = 0.007) and performed the CLF and SW slower than all groups (p ≤ 0.012). DS24, DS2547, and DS48+ were all slower than REC in the 500R (p ≤ 0.002). Physical training should be implemented to maintain fitness and job-specific task performance in deputy sheriffs working custody, especially considering the sedentary nature of this work

Associations between Fitness Measures and Change of Direction Speeds with and without Occupational Loads in Female Police Officers

Female police officers may be required to pursue offenders on foot while wearing occupational loads. The aim of this study was to determine relationships between fitness measures and change of direction speed (CODS) in female police officers and the influence of their occupational loads. Retrospective data were provided for 27 female police officers (age = 32.19 ± 5.09 y, height = 162.78 ± 5.01 cm, and mass = 71.31 ± 13.42 kg) and included fitness measures of: lower-body power (standing long jump (SLJ)), upper-body and trunk muscle endurance (push-up (PU) and sit-up (SU)), aerobic power (estimated VO2max), and CODS (Illinois agility test). The CODS test was performed without and with occupational load (10 kg). Paired sample t-tests (between-load conditions) and Pearson's correlations (relationships between measures) were performed with linear regression analysis used to account for the contribution of measures to unloaded and loaded CODS performance. CODS was significantly slower when loaded (unloaded = ~23.17 s, loaded = ~24.14 s, p < 0.001) with a strong, significant relationship between load conditions (r = 0.956, p < 0.001). Moderate to strong, significant relationships were found between all fitness measures ranging from estimated VO2max (r = -0.448) to SU (r = -0.673) in the unloaded condition, with the strength of these relationships increasing in the loaded condition accounting for 61% to 67% of the variance, respectively. While unloaded agility test performance was strongly associated with loaded performance, female police officer CODS was significantly reduced when carrying occupational loads. A variety of fitness measures that influence officer CODS performances become increasingly important when occupational loads are carried

Battery Fitness Testing in Law Enforcement: A Critical Review of the Literature

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(4): 613-632, 2021. Police trainees undergoing training to prepare them for the occupational demands of policing are often subjected to fitness testing. The aim of this review was to critically appraise research studies employing police fitness tests. Method: A comprehensive search of four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Ebscohost [CINAHL and SportDiscus]) was conducted by two authors independently. After duplicate articles were removed, articles that did not meet the pre-determined inclusion criteria and met the exclusion criteria were removed. The remaining studies were critically appraised by two authors independently using a Downs and Black Checklist. Cohen’s Kappa coefficient was used to measure the level of agreement between appraisers and calculated by a third author. The grading system proposed by Kennelly was used to grade the methodological quality of the studies. Results: From an initial 7384 identified studies, including four from additional sources, 11 studies met the criteria for review. The mean critical appraisal score for the articles was 74.36 (± 1.48%) being considered ‘good’ quality and a ‘substantial’ level of agreement was found between the two appraisers (k = 0.75). The most common measures assessed were muscle endurance (push-ups and sit-ups) and aerobic capacity (running), with the least common measure being agility. Assessments of push-ups and the 2.4-km (1.5-mile) run had the strongest correlations to law enforcement academy graduation across the studies. Grip strength may predict occupational performance (marksmanship) as well as longevity. Conclusion: The push-up and 2.4 km (1.5-mile) run fitness tests were the most popular fitness assessments and had the strongest positive correlation to law enforcement academy graduation

An Analysis of the Body Drag Test in Law Enforcement Recruits with Consideration to Current Population Demographics

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(7): 276-288, 2022. An essential job task for law enforcement officers is a body drag, where they must drag a person from a hazardous environment. In California, a 9.75-m body drag with a 74.84-kg dummy must be completed within 28 s to graduate academy. This mass is less than the average US adult, which may suggest it should be increased. This has not happened due to concerns regarding a potential increase in recruit injuries and failure rates. However, if recruits can complete the drag without formal training, this could leave scope for increasing the mass. This study analyzed the body drag in incoming recruits, compared their results to graduated recruits, and detailed how many achieved current standards without training. A retrospective analysis of two incoming (n = 191) and nine graduated (n = 643) recruit classes from one agency was conducted. Incoming recruits completed the drag in the week prior to their 22-week academy; the graduated recruits in their final weeks. The drag required the recruit to lift the dummy and drag them 9.75 m. Independent samples t-tests compared the groups, and recruits were compared to the 28-s standard. Graduated recruits performed the drag faster than incoming recruits (~5.11 vs. ~7.28 s; p \u3c 0.01). All but one incoming recruit completed the drag within 28 s. Incoming recruits had sufficient strength and technical ability to drag a 74.84-kg dummy fast enough to achieve state standards before training. Further analysis should determine whether the current California body drag is appropriate for policing job demands