, 1885-04-19
TESTING POLICEMEN.
HOW CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS
ARE APPLIED TO CANDIDATES.
Examination Into the Physical Merits Of
candidates-LininE the Dumb-BsIis
The Dea Weight Test
Mile Race.


L.""L. tNHN OK fFculNE IpALl Oh
An examination into tho physical merits
Of candIdafes for the police department aud
also competitive examinations OF roundsmen
who aspire to promotion as sergeants were
held at Woods gymnasium, under the direc-
ton OF Inspector Byrnes. and IN the presence
OF one OF the members OF the advisory civil
service board. John Wood, tho teacher Of
athletics. conducted the examinations.
A score OF roundsmsn, who stand in tho
line OF promotion TO be made sergeants, were
first tested. While the sergeants' du-
ties keep them most OF the ume in
the station house. aud they arc esps-
eiaiiy required 10 show proficiency In
the Office work required Of them, It was
thought best 10 require n physical examia-
lion as tending 10 keep up the physical eK-
cellsnee Of the whole force as a body. Most
OF the men examined this morning were well
built and did easily what was asked OF them.
They were required first to lift a thirty
pound dnmb-beil with the right hand. rails
Ing il over the head, then a fifty pound one
With both hands. one after the other. When
the men did this successfully thoy were
marked ten, this maximum; when with a
great effort, nine. No ono failed completely.
Next they were required TO lift a dead
weight Of 80 pounds; next 10 lift 200 pounds
from the floor while in n stopping position,
aAA Nltu a. Au1A aHI1 WIN Moik ntns 70 pun
up eighty pounds from the floor, the ropes
passing over their shoulders and the men
being fequirel to bend forward In order b
test the strength Of the abdominal muscles
The final test was a quarter mile run, tho
fastest OF tho mon doing the distance In one
minute and -three-quarters and the slowest
In two minute and a quarter. This test
was hard upon tho stout mon. Perfect order
was maintained during the examination, a
clerk standing behind Mr.. Wood and re-
cordipg his estimate. The men showed the
utmost good nature.
The tssts prescribed for applicants for tho
position Of patrolmen were MON eracting
than for the roundsmen, strength and fleet
ness being absolutely essential h a good
patrolman. Nearly 400 men, most OF them
young and all % thom having already passed
the physicians examination. were present.
and were examined by patches OF twonty.
The tests with the dumb bells were similar
TO those required Of tho sergeants Two
men failed 10 raise the nfty pound bell and
were marked eighty. In raising a dead
weight the men were tested with $50 pounds,
then with 400. then vita 450. Three OF the
men failed to raise the heavy weight.
Tn next test required them TO raise them
selves by tlie arms and touch the bar with
their chins Two Of the men failed 20 raise
themselves even once, Mhic best man ralsed
himself nine times. The men were next ssnt
around the track a quarter Of a mile, the
quickest making the distance In minute and
twenty-five seconds, the slowest-two OF
the men falling-ln a little mors than two
minutes - bod.
Some Of the men who failed In ono test
succeeded easily In Others. the lghtsst men
not raising the weights we'll. but making
good time IN the raceA The result Of the
physical tests furnish one factor in making
up tho final decision as TO a mans fitness,
the others relating 20 general character, ex-
psrienes and obligatory subjects, which in
clude reading. seiting. Arithmetic, police
regulations and knowledge OF the city.