Alabama Administrative Code › Title 650 - ALABAMA PEACE OFFICERS › Appendix I - Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission's Physical Agility/Ability Examination

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
PHYSICAL AGILITY/ABILITY TEST OUTLING AND
			 "SCRIPT"
GENERAL INFORMATION
As an applicant you are required to pass a test of physical
			 agility and ability as an entry-level requirement to the law enforcement
			 training academy condition of certification. The test is composed of two
			 phases, physical agility and physical ability components, and both parts will
			 be administered on the same day. The test is formatted to a pass/fail
			 structure. Failure to successfully complete any part of phase one or two means
			 failure of the entire physical agility and ability test. After failure of any
			 part of the exam, the applicant will be given an opportunity for one (1) retest
			 within forty-eight (48) to seventy-two (72) hours (determined at the test
			 administrator's discretion). The examination will be conducted at the Police
			 Academy during your 480 hours of basic training. The physical agility/ability
			 test is to be administered within the first five class days of the academy.
			 Each event is to be video-taped.
This test simulates any number of job-related activities such as
			 jumping down from porches, stairs, walking along walls, rafters, pipes or beams
			 while in foot pursuit or checking buildings for suspects.
PHASE ONE - PHYSICAL AGILITY EXAMINATION
A. PHYSICAL AGILITY.
The physical agility portion of the test simulates certain
			 specific activities routinely expected of a law enforcement officer or
			 correctional officer, and consists of five events designed to measure minimum
			 levels of endurance, strength, agility and coordination.
This test stimulates any number of job-related activities such as
			 jumping down from porches, climbing stairs, walking along walls, rafters,
			 pipes, or beams while in foot pursuit or while checking buildings for suspects.
			 A period of running is incorporated into each of the events to stimulate the
			 apprehension and control of a fleeting suspect.
The time limit for the five physical agility events in ninety
			 (90) seconds.
Event 1 - Pushing
This test requires pushing a patrol vehicle a distance of fifteen
			 (15) feet on a paved, level surface with the gear in neutral. A driver will
			 remain inside the vehicle at all times as a safety factor.
This will demonstrate the applicant's ability to remove or assist
			 in the removal of a stalled vehicle from an intersection in order to eliminate
			 a traffic hazard or restore the flow of traffic.
Event 2 - Climbing
Climbing - This is essentially a wall surmount and is intended to
			 measure agility and coordination. It consists of a fence, six (6) feet in
			 height. One fence is made of wood and one is a chainlink fence. The applicant
			 has the choice of which fence to climb. Only one fence will be climbed. These
			 are typical of the type commonly found around numerous business establishments
			 as well as those found around residences.
The applicant is instructed to run a distance of fifty (50) yards
			 and then surmount the fence in any manner they wish so long as it is a solo
			 effort.
Event 3 - Window Entry
The applicant must run a distance of fifty (50) yards to the next
			 position where the applicant will step through an obstacle approximately
			 twenty-four (24) inches square.
This insures that the applicant has sufficient body mobility to
			 step through an obstacle the approximate size of a residential window.
Event 4 - Balance
The balance test requires running a distance of twenty-five (25)
			 yards and then surmounting a six (6) inch by six (6) inch beam suspended one
			 (1) foot in the air and walking a distance of fifteen (15) feet. At the end of
			 the beam, the applicant is required to jump the one foot distance to the
			 ground.
The balance beam is a combination test demonstrating the ability
			 to maintain balance while moving forward on a flat surface to a narrow surface
			 and back to a flat surface again. Minimum levels of both balance and
			 coordination are required.
Event 5 - Weight Drag
Weight Drag - applicant is required to run a distance of
			 twenty-five (25) yards and then lift, pull, or drag a dead weight object
			 (dummy) approximately one hundred sixty-five (165) pounds for a distance of
			 fifteen (15) feet. The applicant will drop the weight at the finish
			 line.
This test is designed to gauge the applicant's ability to
			 extricate a human being from an automobile, burning building, etc.
This concludes the physical agility portion of the exam.
			 After a minimum of a 20 minute rest break, you will proceed to the physical
			 ability portion of the test.
PHASE TWO - PHYSICAL ABILITY EXAM
B. PHYSICAL ABILITY.
Event 1 - Timed Push-ups
On the "Get Ready" command, the applicant will assume the
			 front-leaning rest position (push-up) with the arms straight, elbows locked,
			 hands about shoulder width apart, and palms placed on the floor. The feet may
			 be together or up to twelve (12) inches apart. The body should be essentially
			 straight when viewed from the side, from the shoulders to the ankles.
On the "Start Push-ups" command, the applicant begins the push-up
			 by bending the elbows and lowering the entire body until the chest touches the
			 fist of the Test administrator (the upper arms should be parallel to the ground
			 at this point).
The applicant returns to the starting position by raising the
			 entire body until the arms are fully extended. The applicant may rest in the up
			 (elbows locked) position only. the body must remain in a generally straight
			 line and as a single unit for the entire repetition.
Failure to perform the required number of repetitions in the time
			 allotted results in failure. Failure to keep the body straight or to properly
			 lower the entire body until the chest touches the Test Administrator's fist or
			 allowing any part of the body other than the hands or feel to touch the ground
			 results in disqualification. Incorrect movements will not be counted.
Each applicant has sixty (60) seconds to complete twenty-two (22)
			 push-ups.
After a minimum twenty (20) minute rest, applicants will begin
			 the timed sit-up event.
Event 2 - Timed Sit-ups
On the "Get Ready" command the applicant assumes the starting
			 position by lying flat on their back with knees bent at forty-five (45)
			 degrees. Feet may be together or up to twelve (12) inches apart, resting on the
			 ground and may be stabilized by a partner holding the ankles with the hands
			 only. The applicant's fingers must be interlocked behind the neck or
			 head.
On the "Start Sit-ups" command, the applicant begins raising the
			 upper body to the up position with elbow touching knees.
The applicant lowers the body until the upper portion of the back
			 (shoulder blades) touches the mat. The head, hands, arms, and elbows don't have
			 to touch the ground.
The up position is the only authorized rest position.
Failing to reach the up position, failing to keep the fingers
			 locked behind the neck or head, arching or bowing the back and raising the
			 buttocks off the ground to raise the upper body, or allowing feet to leave the
			 floor will result in incorrect movements. Incorrect movements will not be
			 counted.
Each applicant has sixty (60) seconds to complete twenty-five
			 (25) sit-ups.
After a minimum twenty (20) minute rest, applicants will begin
			 the timed 1.5 mile run.
Event 3 - 1.5 Mile Run
At the start, all applicants will be lined up behind the starting
			 line, on a flat, level course.
Applicants are instructed to complete the 1.5 mile run and to
			 listen to their finish time.
On the command "GO," the timing clock will be started and the
			 applicants will begin running at their own pace.
The Test Administrator timing the event will begin calling off
			 the time in minutes and seconds as the applicants approach the finish line.
			 Each applicant's time will be recorded after they pass through the finish
			 line.
Do not deviate from the course. Do not touch any other applicant
			 during the course. If you feel faint, pain, dizziness, weakness, sustain an
			 injury, or otherwise feel that you cannot complete the test, immediately stop
			 and signal for a Tester.
Each applicant must run one and one-half (1 1/2) miles within
			 15:28 (fifteen minutes and twenty-eight seconds).
THIS CONCLUDES THE A.P.O.S.T.C. PHYSICAL
			 AGILITY/ABILITY TEST
Form
			 alZ710
Author:
Alabama Peace Officers Standards and
				Training Commission
Statutory Authority:
Code of Ala.
				1975
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