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Posted by: mschumann

What are the departments looking for physically in a police officer?
Personally I have been on both ends of the spectrum........

I use to compete in various fitness contest. 180lbs, 3.7% bodyfat and I could run/ do what ever physically

Now, Im about 230lbs and compete in the sport of "strongman" (same sport thats on ESPN) and I am working towards recieving my Pro card as a lightweight strongman in the USA. At this point I can definitly pass the physical fitness test to be considered for the police.

So what is better for me to do? Should i go back down to the athletic/low body fat physique or should i stay where I am with a larger frame? I am just not to sure what police departments take into consideration when hiring a potentialfficer and i want to be prepared.

thanks

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Posted by: MM1799

Police departments dont want some guy who can bench press 500lbs and cant run a mile. Neither do they want someone who can run the Boston marathon and cant bench their respective weight. It is a physical job. Both in the sense of needing muscle to defend yourself but also stamina for when some idiot decides he's going to take off on you. A balanced person is great instead of someone who can do one extremely well and the other extremely poor.

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Posted by: mschumann

ok man thanks.... that sounds good. Fortunitly my sport requires a person to be both strong and in good condtion. I was kind of dreading losing weight haha

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Posted by: cmagryan

If I could add: The variety of tasks you are called upon to perform as a police officer call for flexibility, core strength, endurance....a strong, functional, all-around condition is called for above the rest. Like MM said, balance is the key. Also, if one relies too much on physical training, they may let their guard down mentally ... most of us have seen 150 lb addicts summon the strength to battle the biggest guy on our departments.

The PO I would most want backing me up is an average looking guy....until it's game on, (and you know who you are, NT!)

Good luck.

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Posted by: xxafspxx

Just make sure your not so big you can't carry your pistol or fire your rifle, and all around physical fitness is a must.

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Posted by: Nighttrain

Is that a picture of you pulling skeet off Pond St? I dig the new range attire.

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Posted by: cmagryan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nighttrain I dig the new range attire.

Better than the workboots, sweatshirt and powdered munchkin?

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Posted by: Killjoy

Quote:

What are the departments looking for physically in a police officer?

Invulnerability. Or flying.

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Posted by: CTrain

Have you seen The Departed? Ok, you basically have to look like Matt Damon or Leo.

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Posted by: MB720

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTrain Have you seen The Departed? Ok, you basically have to look like Matt Damon or Leo.

Yeah, but maybe not so much Anthony Anderson's character haha.

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Posted by: 5-0

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Posted by: DodgeRam

Its not all about how strong you are. No offence but I have met plenty of meat heads who could flip a cruiser but have a hard time counting to 20...

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