Physical Fitness Assessment

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Category: Basic Training

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The physical agility entrance examination will be administered to all applicants. The exam will be conducted at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy, 1556 Riverbend Drive, Douglas WY. Applicants should wear appropriate attire for participation in physical activities, i.e. gym shorts/sweatpants, T-shirt, running shoes and gym socks.

The exam must be passed in order to be accepted into the Academy.

The entry standard can be attained by meeting one of the following requirements:

• Each student must meet the 40th percentile level in each category assessed, or
• Accumulate a 50th percentile average of all categories assessed, with no less than the 25th percentile level in any category.

Applicants must meet or exceed the minimum standard for each of the three categories.

• Male Standards by Age (pdf)
• Female Standards by Age (pdf)

What is physical fitness?

Physical fitness is a health status pertaining to the individual officer having the physiological readiness to perform maximum physical effort when required. Physical fitness consists of four areas:

1. Aerobic Capacity or cardiovascular endurance pertaining to the heart and vascular system's capacity to transport oxygen. Low aerobic capacity has been proven to be a risk factor for heart disease.
2. Strength pertains to the ability of muscles to generate force. Low strength levels in upper body and abdominal strengths have an important bearing on upper torso and low back disorders.
3. Flexibility pertains to the range of motion of the joints and muscles. Lack of lower back flexibility is a major risk area for lower back disorders.
4. Body weight and body composition pertain to body mass and the ratio of fat to lean tissue. Excessive fat is a handicap for physical movement and is a serious health risk for many diseases.

How will physical fitness be measured?

The Physical Fitness Assessment consists of three basic tests. Each test has been proven to have scientific validity. The entry assessment will be conducted in a two hour session at a designated time prior to the start of the Basic Course. A final assessment will be administered over a two day period near the conclusion of the Basic Course.

1. 1 minute sit-up test (VIDEO 5.8MB) - This is a measure of the muscular endurance of the abdominal muscles. Its an important area for performing police tasks that may involve the use of force and is an important area for maintaining good posture and minimizing lower back problems. The score is calculated by the number of bent leg sit-ups performed in 1 minute.
2. 1 minute push-up test (VIDEO 6.7MB) - This test requires the person to push their own weight off the floor and is used to evaluate upper body endurance strength relative to their body weight. Low levels of muscular endurance indicates inefficiency in movement and a low capacity to perform work. The score is calculated by the number of push-ups performed in 1 minute.
3. 12 minute walk/run (Gym Conversion Chart.pdf) - This is a timed run designed to measure the heart and vascular system's capability to transport oxygen. It is an important area for performing police tasks involving stamina and endurance and to minimize the risk of cardiovascular problems. The score is calculated by the amount of ground covered within the allotted 12 minutes and 15 seconds (An extra 15 seconds is added to the allotted time for high altitude consideration).

Physical Fitness Assessment Affidavit

With the assistance of the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs & Chiefs of Police (WASCOP), a committee was formed to take a look at the established entry standards for acceptance into the Peace Officer and Detention Officer Basic courses. The goal of this committee was to determine several things: 1) Are the current entry standards court-defensible? 2) Have the current standards created an adverse impact on Wyoming agencies in regard to the officers they’ve hired and then been forced to let go due to their failure to pass those entry standards? 3) Are the current standards meeting our needs, or are there better options available? 

In regards to the first question, the Attorney General felt that the PT standards we have in place were not unreasonable and believed they were defensible.  Based on numbers generated during the initial PT Assessments for the DOB & POB for the last 10 years, the committee also determined that the standards in place have not created an adverse impact on Wyoming agencies regarding hiring.  The committee also felt that the current standards are meeting our needs, although they recommended that the State continue to pursue funding for a validation study to more adequately determine the level of fitness an officer must be in to safely and effectively complete the rigors of the WLEA’s Basic Training.  Click here to view the PT Committee’s Final Report, submitted by former Powell Chief, Tim Feathers.

Additionally, through the direction of the Academy Advisory Board, the WLEA has implemented the use of the PT Affidavit. We hope that this affidavit will assist the Academy in validating the internal standards we have established for dealing with officers who fail the initial PT Assessment, yet are close enough to offer a second chance later in the basic (prior to any physical/practical training).  Also, information from the affidavit and the officer’s initial assessment can help us in determining any remedial training needs that may be out in the field regarding the WLEA’s PT testing protocol.

 If an agency chooses to be a part of this affidavit process, they must test their officer within three (3) weeks of the start of that officer’s basic course. During this assessment, the officer must pass the established PT Standards following the WLEA testing protocol. This affidavit must be completely filled out, signed by administration, and given to WLEA staff prior to the initial PT assessment on opening day.

An officer who presents a PT Affidavit must participate in the initial PT assessment. If he/she fails to meet the entry requirements they will be able to continue training, but will be placed on “Conditional Status.” Prior to the start of the physical skills (firearms, custody & control, etc.) portions of the basic, which occur in week 2 (DOB) and week 4 (POB), officers on Conditional Status are required to successfully pass the PT assessment. At this time, if the officer is unable to pass the entry requirements, the officer will be sent back to their agency.

AGENCIES SHOULD NOTE THAT WHEN BASICS ARE FULL, THE WLEA BRINGS IN “ALTERNATE” OFFICERS TO PT TEST ON OPENING DAY.  WE DO THIS SO THAT IF A “CONFIRMED” OFFICER DOES NOT PASS THE ASSESSMENT, WE HAVE AN ALTERNATE WHO CAN IMMEDIATELY FILL THAT SLOT IN THE BASIC.  WHEN THIS IS THE CASE, ANYONE WHO FAILS THE INITIAL PT ASSESSMENT WILL BE SENT HOME, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY HAVE A PT AFFIDAVIT.  THIS INSURES THAT THE BASIC CLASSES REMAIN FULL AND ALLOWS US TO CONTINUE TO MEET THE FUTURE TRAINING NEEDS OF WYOMING’S AGENCIES. 

FOR THOSE AGENCIES CHOOSING TO UTILIZE THIS PT AFFIDAVIT PROCESS, PLEASE CONTACT THE WLEA PRIOR TO TESTING YOUR OFFICER.  WE CAN UPDATE YOU ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS IN THE SCHEDULED BASIC AND INFORM YOU AS TO WHETHER THE PT AFFIDAVIT WILL BE HONORED OR NOT.

If you have any questions, please contact the Basic Programs Manager Brian Brooks at JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING