The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is the largest police force in the United States, and becoming an officer requires meeting rigorous standards, including a demanding physical fitness test. This test, known as the Job Standard Test (JST), is a crucial hurdle for aspiring NYPD officers. It’s not just about being generally fit; the JST assesses a candidate’s ability to perform job-related physical tasks under pressure.
What the NYPD Job Standard Test Entails
The NYPD’s JST is a timed, continuous physical endurance test designed to simulate the physical demands of police work. Candidates must complete a series of six stations, without stopping, in under 4 minutes and 28 seconds. The test is the same for all applicants, regardless of age or gender. The six components of the JST are:
Fence Surmount
This first challenge requires candidates to sprint 50 feet from a kneeling, weapon-ready position, and then surmount a six-foot fence. This assesses both speed and agility, as well as the ability to quickly transition between different types of physical activity. It is important to note that the fence is now a chain-link fence, a change from a solid barrier used previously.
Stair Climb
Following the fence surmount, candidates must navigate a six-stair climb system, completing three over-and-back traverses. This section tests leg strength, endurance, and the ability to quickly change direction while maintaining balance.
Physical Restraint Simulation
Next, candidates must demonstrate their ability to resist and control force by using a tactics-and-training device that simulates a physical restraint situation. This involves completing four rotations of pushing and four rotations of pulling. This component measures a candidate’s capacity to handle physical altercations and restrain individuals safely and effectively.
Pursuit Run
The fourth station is a 600-foot run around a pattern of cones. This assesses the candidate’s speed, agility, and cardiovascular endurance, all crucial for chasing suspects or navigating through obstacles during a pursuit.
Victim Rescue
This simulates a common scenario faced by police officers, requiring the candidate to drag a 176-pound mannequin 35 feet. This tests strength, stamina, and the ability to perform a physically demanding task while under pressure, replicating a rescue situation.
Trigger Pull
The final test requires the candidate to pick up an inoperative firearm, hold it within a nine-inch diameter metal ring, and pull the trigger 16 times with their dominant hand and 15 times with their non-dominant hand. The firearm must stay inside the ring throughout the trigger pulls. This component tests hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and fine motor skills. The timer stops after the final trigger pull.
Why the JST is Important
The JST is not just an arbitrary test of physical fitness. It is designed to ensure that all NYPD officers possess the physical capabilities needed to effectively and safely perform their duties. Police officers face a variety of physically demanding tasks, from foot pursuits to restraining suspects to rescuing individuals in distress. The JST assesses these skills, ensuring that candidates are physically capable of handling these diverse situations.
The test evaluates a candidate’s:
- Endurance: The ability to sustain physical exertion over an extended period, as required by many police tasks.
- Strength: The capacity to exert force, essential for controlling suspects and moving heavy objects.
- Agility: The ability to move quickly and change direction, crucial for pursuit and navigation.
- Overall Fitness: The combination of all these physical qualities is necessary for effective police work.
How to Prepare for the NYPD JST
Given the demanding nature of the JST, candidates must prepare thoroughly. The NYPD strongly encourages potential recruits to establish an exercise routine to maintain and/or improve their overall fitness. While there are no specific BMI or body size requirements, physical fitness is a must to pass the JST. Here are some areas to focus on:
- Cardiovascular Training: Running, jogging, and other aerobic exercises are essential to build the endurance needed for the pursuit run and other physically demanding tasks. Interval training can also be beneficial.
- Strength Training: Focus on exercises that build overall body strength, particularly upper body and core strength. These can include push-ups, pull-ups, squats, and weightlifting.
- Agility Training: Practice drills that improve agility and coordination, such as cone drills and ladder drills.
- Practice the JST Components: If possible, practice the individual components of the JST, such as fence climbing, stair climbing, and mannequin dragging, to become familiar with the specific requirements. It is important to practice these elements in the order and the time constraints required by the test.
Changes to the JST
The NYPD has made some adjustments to the JST in recent years. These changes, such as altering the “barrier surmount” from a wall to a chain-link fence, and giving an additional minute for this task, have been controversial, with some veteran officers expressing concerns that the changes lower the standards for new recruits. However, these changes also reflect a focus on ensuring the test is a fair and valid assessment of the physical demands of police work. Despite any changes, the JST continues to be a comprehensive assessment of a candidate’s ability to perform critical job functions.
What Happens if You Fail the JST?
Failing the JST is not the end of the road. The NYPD offers tutoring sessions to candidates who fail their initial attempt. These sessions can help candidates identify their weaknesses and develop a plan to improve their fitness. Candidates are typically allowed additional opportunities to pass the exam.
Other Physical Fitness Tests in Law Enforcement
It’s worth noting that the NYPD’s JST is distinct from physical fitness tests used by other law enforcement agencies in New York. For example, the New York State Police utilize a Physical Ability Test which consists of three subtests: sit-ups, push-ups, and a 1.5-mile run. The minimum standards for these tests vary depending on age and gender. Unlike the NYPD, the State Police scores its test on a pass/fail basis. Similarly, the New York State University Police also has a Physical Agility Test which includes sit-ups, push-ups, and a 1.5-mile run with minimum performance scores based on age and gender.
Maintaining Fitness as an Officer
It’s important to realize that physical fitness isn’t just a hurdle to overcome for entry into the NYPD. It is a continuous aspect of being a police officer. Officers are expected to maintain their physical fitness throughout their careers. Interestingly, studies have shown that police academy cadets often exhibit better fitness levels than incumbent officers, highlighting the need for ongoing fitness programs for officers throughout their service.
The Bottom Line
The NYPD Job Standard Test is a challenging but necessary requirement for those seeking to join New York City’s police force. It is designed to ensure that all officers have the physical capabilities to perform their duties effectively and safely. While the test can be difficult, with proper preparation and training, it is achievable. The JST is just one part of a comprehensive hiring process that includes written exams, psychological evaluations, and a thorough background investigation.
The NYPD has made adjustments to the test in recent years, but the core requirements remain demanding. Aspiring officers must be dedicated to their physical fitness and willing to work hard to meet the required standards. If you’re aiming for a career with the NYPD, understanding the JST, and its demands, is crucial for your success.
