Revised police fitness tests are designed to better prepare officers

PLAINFIELD – As police departments across the Hoosier State search for new officers, the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) is considering changing its physical fitness requirements to better prepare officers in the field.

Once cadets are recruited by their local police departments, the aptitude test is a prerequisite for acceptance into the academy.

On Wednesday, nearly 100 law enforcement trainees at ILEA underwent a physical test to try out the new course.

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The current test has been around for years and includes things like mile, half run and vertical jump, but Wednesday’s practice test was very different.

“The recruits trying to pass the test will wear a vest, they will run around the gym, they will do strength exercises, they will go up and down the stairs and they will also shoot a weapon,” said Lt. Patrick Cousin, of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

This new tactical course also included jumping a fence, securing a 185 dummy and a cognitive portion of identifying a mugshot.

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The change was a year-long effort between ILEA and the University of Indianapolis to make the test more objective by revising the physical requirements to better meet the needs of Indiana Police Departments.

“We reached out to the departments and asked them, as part of a task analysis, what they wanted from their new police officers on the field,” explained Lt. Cousin.

On Wednesday, this new test was validated for research at the University of Indianapolis.

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“What we’ve done since last spring is look at the previous test that they did for their fitness stuff, take that data, test the same people with the new test and compare those numbers,” Dr . Nathanial Eckert, an associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Indianapolis.

The settlement could lead to a complete change in testing to better prepare the academy’s recruits.

“Before I came here I had a bit of experience on the road and I have to say that really applies to what we do. Jumping over the fence, going up the stairs, running and ducking under things — that really applies to what we do in the field,” said intern Tanner Strelecky, who was hired at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office in July .

So far, many recruits WRTV has spoken to said the course is challenging but much more practical for day-to-day police work.

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“I think this fitness test would be much better and more applicable,” said trainee Tara Sprandel. “It keeps the heart rate up and is more realistic.”

The study’s biggest goal is to make changes that would better equip local law enforcement.

“So if these young men and women are fit enough to complete the testing through this mechanism, we believe they will be better police officers and better serve their communities when they return to their home agency,” said Timothy Horty, ILEA executive director.

“Once they pass this test, it’s a good indicator of whether they’re fit enough to work in the police force,” Lt. cousin added.

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Cousin also said he believes the new test, if implemented, could attract more people than the other test displaced, which could help with recruiting officers.

The University of Indianapolis was on site Wednesday to help administer the new tests.

The research was carried out by both students and professors at the university.

After the university has collected all the necessary data, the next step is to validate the tests.

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The new requirement would apply the same standard for men and women, which corresponds to the current status.

Once validated, the ILEA could decide to phase out the current testing requirements and implement the new tactical fitness course as standard across the country over the next year and a half.

Further information about ILEA can be found here.