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We Need You: Influence of Hiring Demand and Modified Applicant Testing on the Physical Fitness of Law Enforcement Recruits

Author

Listed:
  • Robert G. Lockie

    (Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92835, USA)

  • J. Jay Dawes

    (School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA)

  • Matthew R. Moreno

    (Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92835, USA)

  • Megan B. McGuire

    (Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92835, USA)

  • Tomas J. Ruvalcaba

    (Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92835, USA)

  • Ashley M. Bloodgood

    (Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92835, USA)

  • Joseph M. Dulla

    (Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4229, Australia)

  • Robin M. Orr

    (Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4229, Australia)

Abstract

A challenge for law enforcement agencies is the many positions that need filling. Agencies may modify their applicant test battery (ATB; multilevelled testing including fitness, background checks, psychological evaluations) to increase the hiring pool of potential recruits by augmenting the utility of testing. This study determined fitness differences of law enforcement recruits hired under two different ATB protocols. Retrospective analysis was conducted on seven academy classes (442 males, 84 females) hired under an older ATB, and one class (45 males, 13 females) hired under a newer ATB. Recruits completed the following before academy: 60 s push-ups and sit-ups (muscular endurance); vertical jump (lower-body power); medicine ball throw (upper-body power); 75 yard pursuit run (75PR; change-of-direction speed); and 20 m multistage fitness test (20MSFT; aerobic fitness). Independent sample t-tests ( p ≤ 0.001) and effect sizes ( d ) evaluated between-group fitness differences for recruits hired under the different ATB protocols (combined sexes, males, and females). There were no significant differences between the ATB groups. However, newer ATB female recruits completed 13% fewer 20MSFT shuttles than the older ATB group, which, although not significant ( p = 0.007), did have a moderate effect ( d = 0.62). Females hired under the newer ATB had lower aerobic fitness, which could impact physical training performance and graduation.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert G. Lockie & J. Jay Dawes & Matthew R. Moreno & Megan B. McGuire & Tomas J. Ruvalcaba & Ashley M. Bloodgood & Joseph M. Dulla & Robin M. Orr, 2020. "We Need You: Influence of Hiring Demand and Modified Applicant Testing on the Physical Fitness of Law Enforcement Recruits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:20:p:7512-:d:428601
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robin Orr & Rodney Pope & Samantha Peterson & Benjamin Hinton & Michael Stierli, 2016. "Leg Power As an Indicator of Risk of Injury or Illness in Police Recruits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-10, February.
    2. Arvey, R.D. & maxwell, S.E. & Landon, T.E. & Nutting, S.M., 1992. "The Development of Physical Ability Tests for Police Officers: A Construct Validation Approach," Papers 92-05, Minnesota - Industrial Relations Center.
    3. Robert G. Lockie & J. Jay Dawes & Katherine Balfany & Ciara E. Gonzales & Maria M. Beitzel & Joseph M. Dulla & Robin M. Orr, 2018. "Physical Fitness Characteristics That Relate to Work Sample Test Battery Performance in Law Enforcement Recruits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-12, November.
    4. Robin Orr & Rodney Pope & Michael Stierli & Benjamin Hinton, 2017. "Grip Strength and Its Relationship to Police Recruit Task Performance and Injury Risk: A Retrospective Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-11, August.
    5. Robert G. Lockie & Katherine Balfany & Ashley M. Bloodgood & Matthew R. Moreno & Karly A. Cesario & Joseph M. Dulla & J. Jay Dawes & Robin M. Orr, 2019. "The Influence of Physical Fitness on Reasons for Academy Separation in Law Enforcement Recruits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-13, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Matthew R. Moreno & Karly A. Rodas & Ashley M. Bloodgood & J. Jay Dawes & Joseph M. Dulla & Robin M. Orr & Robert G. Lockie, 2020. "The Influence of Aerobic Fitness on Heart Rate Responses of Custody Assistant Recruits during Circuit Training Sessions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Zacharias Papadakis & Andreas Stamatis & Filip Kukic & Nenad Koropanovski, 2021. "Moving Past the One-Size-Fits-All Education-Training Model of Police Academies to the Self-Prescribed Individualized Exercise Prescription Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-19, November.
    3. Robert G. Lockie & Karly A. Rodas & J. Jay Dawes & Joseph M. Dulla & Robin M. Orr & Matthew R. Moreno, 2021. "How Does Time Spent Working in Custody Influence Health and Fitness Characteristics of Law Enforcement Officers?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-17, September.

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