The Development of a Competence-Based Physical Test for Dutch Police Recruits

Abstract

1502 As part of the redesign of general education of Dutch police officers, the evaluation of physical abilities of police recruits was revised. PURPOSE: To develop a physical test and concomitant test criterion based on physical competences that Dutch police officers can meet in daily practice. METHODS: This project had a stepwise character: 1) expert meetings with experienced police officers to make a gross selection of observed tasks and activities, 2) a real-time task and activity analysis using PalmTRAC and a Polar Accurex Plus heart rate monitor during 67 ride along sessions, 3) calculating maximal estimated values of duration and workload (%HRR) of relevant or critical incidents, 4) translation of task-activity combinations into physical competences, on which 5) a field test was constructed and 6) conducting the test to assess a test criterion for police recruits, based on the performance of recently (<3 years) graduated police officers. RESULTS: In general, physical aspects of policing are characterized by intermittent relatively long periods of relatively low-intensity tasks/activities (e.g. patrolling by car) and relatively short periods of high-intensity tasks/activities (e.g. arresting a heavy resisting suspect). Physical competences of Dutch police officers were based on the latter category and found to be: 1) sustained pursuit, 2) controling a (non-cooperative) suspect, 3) manual transfer of a suspect/victim and 4) manual transfer of (heavy) objects. To simulate these competences, they were incorporated in a standardized field test. Context and physical workload of the competences were assessed based on the calculated estimations of maximal duration and workload as assessed during the task and activity analysis. An example of a competence is given below.TableBased on the performance of 47 recently graduated police officers (28 male) on the field test, the test criterion was determined on 3 min 20 sec. CONCLUSIONS: As from 2004 Dutch police recruits will be tested on their physical abilities with a competence-based test which reflects the physical aspects of their future job.