The Lancaster City Bureau of Police is excited to announce the unveiling of the new and innovative physical agility obstacle course and the opening of applications for the fall 2023 recruitment cycle. The physical agility test is the first evaluation applicants must pass before advancing in the Bureau’s hiring process. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a fitness level that would allow them to perform the essential job functions of a police officer.
The Bureau has moved away from using the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) standards of fitness for assessing applicants. In its place, the Bureau has created a new physical agility test. While candidates will still need to meet the MPOETC fitness standards to secure entry to the police academy, this new physical agility obstacle course represents a dynamic shift in the Bureau’s hiring process. The new test comprises of various job-specific physical challenges arranged in an obstacle course format and executed continuously from start to end.
Applicants must complete the sequence of obstacles as a pass/fail assessment. Each participant will be given a physical description of a suspect at the start of the course and must run/sprint various distances to complete each obstacle.
Obstacle course challenges are listed in order below:
- Jump a distance of 3’ (feet)
- Climb over a 5’ (feet) high wall
- Crawl under an obstacle 24” (inches) high and 10’ (feet) in length
- Climb up and down an 8” (inches) step for 12 repetitions
- Crawl through a window opening (36” wide x 30” high x 3’ above the ground)
- Identify the correct suspect and move a 150 LB dummy 5 yards
- Trigger pull exercise
“This new test is a reflection of our dedication to identifying and nurturing the best talents in our community who will uphold the Bureau’s core values of service, integrity, honor, courage, commitment, and duty. We are excited to welcome prospective officers to this challenging and rewarding career,” said Richard Mendez, City of Lancaster Chief of Police.
Interested applicants can learn more and apply on our website LCBP Careers.