Physical Skills and Work Performance in Policing

Abstract

Research has indicated that most police tasks seem to be, in general, fairly undemanding physically. Nevertheless, physical skills may be particularly important in police work. This study examines the extent to which this is so. The study is based on a survey of police students as well as observations and informal conversations with police students and police officers, together with interviews with police students. The findings indicate that physical skills are important in police work for three reasons: while physical skills seem to be essential in situations that necessitate physical force, physical skills also seem important from health and psychological perspectives. This study indicates that even if most police tasks do not seem to require excellent physical skills, it is important that police officers and police students exercise and have these skills.