Development of a New Job-Related Physical Test for the Basic Training Program in Police Patrolling

Abstract

PURPOSE: Based on previous observation and analyses of the basic training program in police patrolling, the main physical abilities required to successfully accomplish the critical and essential tasks of the program were identified. The objective of the study was then to develop and validate a new physical test for the École Nationale de Police du Québec (ENPQ) based on a job related approach sustaining the bona fide occupational requirements criteria. METHODS: Our approach focused both on job task simulation and assessment of specific motor and physiological abilities. Seventeen tasks representing the main physical abilities elicited in the training program were evaluated throughout the test circuit, especially: lower and upper limb power, upper limb strength, global coordination and agility. To validate the test, 184 male and 56 female police students were recruited. Students executed the new ENPQ test and also a series of six ‘convergent’ measures (C): Edgren agility test (C1), dynamometer test for strength (C2), seated medicine ball throw for upper body power (C3), vertical (C4) and horizontal (C5) jump tests for lower limb power, and a maximal aerobic power estimation (C6). Among the experimental group, 39 male and 9 female police students did twice the ENPQ test for establishing test-retest reliability. RESULTS: The new ENPQ test consists of a time circuit including various tasks in continuity, separated by 3 laps: lap 1 (8 tasks), lap 2 (7 tasks) and lap 3 (7 tasks). Mean completion time was significantly different (p<0.001) between male (210 ± 25 sec) and female participants (282 ± 52 sec). Correlation between the ENPQ test time and the six convergent tests were all significant (p<0.01) and moderately high: C1 (r=-0.43), C2 (r=-0.62), C3 (r=-0.59), C4 (r=-0.50), C5 (r=-0.71) and C6 (r=-0.49). Test-retest reliability (n=48) was r=0.81. CONCLUSION: The construction design used for the development of the new test insures per se its content (face) validity. On the other hand, the correlations obtained between the independent six ‘convergent’ ability measures and the new test’s time performance confirm its multi-facetted concurrent validity. As for its predictive, or practical, usefulness for the tightening and betterment of the training standards of future police officers, this remains to be investigated.