ASCA Responses: Physical Capacity Testing Survey (September 2011)

Please provide contact information for the person in your Agency that is most familiar with the data we are seeking. State: Name and Title:

Email:

Phone:

Comments:

The Alabama Department of Corrections adheres to the Alabama Peace Officer's Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC) Rules & Regulations which govern acceptance and admission into a Law Enforcement Academy.

No

george.brewer @arkansas.go 870-267-6335 v

Yes

after a job offer is made

Yes

Established benchmarks must be met.

Brenda Valerio

brenda.valerio @doc.state.co 719-226-4404 .us

No

Deborah Craig, Planner

Debbi.Craig@ 302-857-5252 state.de.us

George Brewer, Research

Colorado

Delaware

Kentucky

4. If you answered "Yes," to either Questions #1 or #2, how are the test results evaluated?

Yes

Arkansas

Kansas

3. Does your Department give existing Correctional Officers a physical fitness or performance test?

before a job offer is made

Alabama

Indiana

2. If so, does your Department give this test ... before a job offer is made? … after a job offer is made?

APOSTC Rules & Regulations require each candidate to successfully pass a physical agility / ability test prior to employment. This test is administered by APOSTC Instructors assigned to the Training Division and consists of the following: 22 push-ups in 60 seconds, 25 sit-ups in 60 seconds, a 1.5 mile run within 15 minutes and 28 seconds, and successful completion of the agility obstacle course.

Wendy.William Wendy Williams, [email protected] 334-263-8900 Director of Training ma.gov

Idaho

1. Does your Department give a physical performance test to potential Correctional Officers?

Russ Bowling, Training Specialist

Aaron Garner, Executive Director, Research & Technology Jan Clausing, Human Resource Director Stephanie Appel

Yes

No after a job offer is made

after a job offer is made

No

Physical Training program was modified to reflect tasks performed on the job. The cut off score was determined by administering the previous assessment with the new assessment (face validity i.e. test content with job elements).

No

Our Correctional Officer Academy is held at the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) facility in Meridian, Idaho. POST staff proctor and supervise the PRT. They factor in injuries The Physical Readiness Test (PRT) is administered the first day of as well as physical limitations, but if either are present, the staff our Academy. The standards are given to the prospective officer member must have a doctor's release to participate or be granted prior to the academy so they can prepare, if necessary, for the an extension. Our PRT was developed based on a Job Efficiency testing. The PRT is a pass/fail test. Each officer is given an Task Test (JETT). All aspects of the testing can be directly linked opportunity to pass the test on Day 1 of the academy. If the officer to specific duties that an Officer would face during their shift. We fails part, or all of the test, they are given one more opportunity are looking to increasing our physical standards for both within the first week of the academy. If they fail the second attempt, Correctional Officers and Propagation/Parole Officers to be more they are dis-enrolled from the Academy. There is no annual testing in line with Law Enforcement's Patrol and Detention standards. In or re-certification required for correctional officers after they pass relation to cost effectiveness in health related costs, since we do the initial PRT in the Academy. not re-qualify or have an annual test, there is no data to support the cost effectiveness of the testing. It is more of an entry level standard.

rbowling@ido 208-658-2078 c.idaho.gov

Yes

agarner@idoc 317-232-1757 .in.gov

No

No

[email protected]. 785-296-3101 gov

No

No

stephanie.app 502-564-1355 [email protected]

No

No

Physical Capacity Testing Survey.xls (CO)

Page 1 of 6

Delaware requires all correctional officer trainees to pass a physical test prior to graduation. This test is not considered a Functional Capacity Test.

Last Updated: 9/29/11

ASCA Responses: Physical Capacity Testing Survey (September 2011)

Please provide contact information for the person in your Agency that is most familiar with the data we are seeking. State: Name and Title:

Email:

Phone:

1. Does your Department give a physical performance test to potential Correctional Officers?

2. If so, does your Department give this test ... before a job offer is made? … after a job offer is made?

3. Does your Department give existing Correctional Officers a physical fitness or performance test?

Louisiana

Jeff Travis, jtravis@correc 225-342-1330 Chief of Operations tion.state.la.us

No

No

Maryland

George Hall, ghhall@dpscs Director, Policy and 410-339-5073 .state.md.us Regulations

No

No

Alexandra McInnis, aemcinnis@d Massachusetts Director of 508-850-7880 oc.state.ma.us Personnel

Michigan

Craig Czinder, New Employee Training Manager

czinderc@mic 517-636-6113 higan.gov

Yes

before a job offer is made

No

Yes

before a job offer is made

Yes

Minnesota

Paula Baumeister

paula.baumeis [email protected]. 651-361-7228 us

No

Mississippi

Max Cathey, Acting Training Director

mcathey@md 601-359-5286 oc.state.ms.us

Yes

before a job offer is made

Missouri

Jim Wiseman, Chief of Staff Training

Yes

before a job offer is made

Montana

Ken McElroy, Human Resource BC

Jim.Wiseman 573-522-5977 @doc.mo.gov

kmcelroy@mt. 406-444-0445 gov

Physical Capacity Testing Survey.xls (CO)

No

4. If you answered "Yes," to either Questions #1 or #2, how are the test results evaluated?

Comments:

For pre-employment testing, we utilize the Cooper's standards. Each component is measured in quantifiable pass/fail standards. Those who do not successfully complete the component are not moved on in the hiring/selection process. Our fitness test has two different levels, pre-hire (2/3 of the expected standard) and "expected standard" which must be passed to graduate from our Academy, and then must also be passed at the end of their first year of service. Following that test, there are no further mandatory fitness tests. The pre-hire and Academy tests are delivered by Academy staff, the year end test is administered by Institutional Training Officers at each prison. Our test has not been validated. The MN DOC requires Corrections Officers who have received a conditional job offer to take and pass a pre-placement physical, drug test and tuberculosis screening. The pre-placement physical is an examination by a contracted medical provider who assesses whether the candidate can do the physical demands of the position.

No

No

Timed events: a 1 mile run/walk - 30 minutes; and a "tower climb" ensures applicant can stand for extended time, climb stairs and is not afraid of heights.

No

It is a timed essential functions evaluation. Applicants must climb and descend a two-step incline, bend to retrieve an object under the 17" high platform and place the object on top of the platform, run a distance totaling 300 yards and drag a 150 pound object a total of 18 feet, all within 2 minutes and 16 seconds. We tried at one time on both counts. Quit the pre-employment because our process was not validated and was causing issues with sufficient applicants. The union challenged testing for current COs, and the Department chose not to fight that battle at the time for a variety of reasons.

No

Page 2 of 6

Last Updated: 9/29/11

ASCA Responses: Physical Capacity Testing Survey (September 2011)

Please provide contact information for the person in your Agency that is most familiar with the data we are seeking. State: Name and Title:

Nebraska

L Jane Wehnes

Jeffrey Lyons, New Hampshire Public Information Officer

New Jersey

New York City

Doug Gerardi, Director of Policy & Planning

Email:

Phone:

1. Does your Department give a physical performance test to potential Correctional Officers?

2. If so, does your Department give this test ... before a job offer is made? … after a job offer is made?

3. Does your Department give existing Correctional Officers a physical fitness or performance test?

4. If you answered "Yes," to either Questions #1 or #2, how are the test results evaluated?

Comments:

jane.wehnes @nebraska.go 402-479-5979 v

Yes

after a job offer is made

No

The testing of incumbent officers is not conducted presently, but we do review the possibility annually with the Agency Director. The MPS (Minimum Physical Standard) screens only the The MPS screen is administered by a certified third party vendor. If essential job functions identified and simulated through a vendor has a concern, the MPS is reviewed by NDCS Medical validated Job Task Analysis. The 2009-2010 Workers Director, ADA Coordinator, and Human Resources Administrator. Compensation's compensable claims were down 51% from the previous year. However, we don't know if other factors besides the MPS screening attributed to the decline.

jlyons@nhdoc 603-271-5602 .state.nh.us

Yes

before a job offer is made

Yes

We utilize Cooper's Standards for Testing.

Douglas.Gerar [email protected]. 609-984-4578 nj.us

dennis.mccor Denn J. McCormick, [email protected] 718-417-2346 Director of Training .gov

Physical Capacity Testing Survey.xls (CO)

No

Yes

Currently there is no physical assessment for any Civil Service Law Enforcement Title. The Police Training Commission which governs Law Enforcement training in New Jersey has developed an academy assessment and is waiting on final approval for implementation. The test was developed by 'IO Solutions', a vendor which specializes in both physical and written testing. The test would consist of a 1.5 mile run in under 15 minutes and 55 seconds, 24 push ups in one minute, 300 meter run in under 72 seconds, and a 15 inch vertical leap. This standard would be the same for both males and females, with no consideration for age. To enter any Law Enforcement Academy the candidate would need to complete all components. Failure of one component would constitute failure of the test. New Jersey doesn't have in-service testing with the exception of the New Jersey State Police.

No

before a job offer is made

No

Officers must be recertified every three years

The Correction Candidate functional capacity is measured by a trigger pull, wherein the candidate uses a decommissioned weapon and pulls the trigger with their dominant hand 16 times, and holds the weapon in position for 1 minute. Subsequently, the candidate is expected to pull the trigger 16 times with the non-dominant hand. The second phase of the functional capacity test involves the candidate being suited up (helmet, vest and baton) and required to run up 6 flights of stairs, around a number of hallways and pull a 145 pound dummy about 10 feet within 2 minutes. In order to be qualified on the functional capacity test, both of the above requirements must be passed.

Page 3 of 6

Last Updated: 9/29/11

ASCA Responses: Physical Capacity Testing Survey (September 2011)

Please provide contact information for the person in your Agency that is most familiar with the data we are seeking. State: Name and Title:

Email:

North Carolina

Gwen F. Norville, gwen.norville Director of Training @doc.nc.gov

North Dakota

Leann Bertsch, Director

Phone:

1. Does your Department give a physical performance test to potential Correctional Officers?

919-367-7107

Yes

[email protected] 701-328-6616 ov

No

Oklahoma

Ken Skidmore, Human Resource Manager

ken.skidmore @doc.state.ok 405-425-7160 .us

Oregon

Thomas.Cram Thomas Cramer, [email protected]. 503-934-0395 Administrator, PDU or.us

2. If so, does your Department give this test ... before a job offer is made? … after a job offer is made?

before a job offer is made

3. Does your Department give existing Correctional Officers a physical fitness or performance test?

No

Yes

No

4. If you answered "Yes," to either Questions #1 or #2, how are the test results evaluated?

NC will begin implementation of correctional officer physical ability testing (COPAT) on September 19, 2011, with 4 prison locations participating. NC currently has 70 prisons; roll-out to additional prisons will take place in the future. We only give physical fitness test to those COs that are on the SORT team. We are in the process of revising those fitness standards. About 4 years ago we were in the process of establishing physical standards for our safety sensitive positions, i.e. correctional officers, probation/parole officers and fugitive apprehension agents. We contracted with a company (Concentra) to develop the standards and did a test run of 10 employees. Next we planned a larger test of approximately 10% of employees in those job families but were unable to continue due to budgetary constraints. We hope to continue as our budget allows.

No

No

Yes

Correctional Officers attending their Basic Certification training are required to take a physical fitness test. Veteran Correctional Officers assigned to the Department's Tactical Emergency Response Team (TERT) are required to preform a fitness test to remain on the TERT team at their local institution.

Pennsylvania

Joel Barrows, Special Assistant to the Secretary

jbarrows@pa. 717-975-4963 gov

Yes

before a job offer is made

No

A medical examination is conducted prior to testing and must be successfully completed prior to physical testing. Once completed, candidates are checked in, and their identity is verified. They are given specific warm up exercises (Arm Stretch, Shoulder Stretch, Heel Cord Stretch, Quadriceps Stretch and Hamstring Stretch. The physical agility test consists of a Sit-Up Test, Arm-Lift Test, Leg Ergometer Test, Sit & Reach Test and Arm Endurance Test. The tests are scored in two parts. Three trials of the arm-lift test are averaged and combined with the score of the sit-up test. The score of this part must be above 80. The second part consists of the average of three trials of the sit-reach test that will be combined with the leg ergometer test and the arm endurance test. The combined score of the three tests must be at least 190. If all are "passes" the candidate will continue on to be scheduled for a psychological test.

Rhode Island

Paul Kennedy, Chief of Training

Paul.Kennedy 401-462-0616 @dic.ri.gov

Yes

before a job offer is made

No

Results are evaluated in accordance with Cooper Standards by Academy Staff.

South Dakota

Daryl Slykhuis, Deputy Warden

daryl.slykhuis 605-367-5054 @state.sd.us

No

Physical Capacity Testing Survey.xls (CO)

Comments:

Specific validation of the pt. test has not been done for Rhode Island.

No

Page 4 of 6

Last Updated: 9/29/11

ASCA Responses: Physical Capacity Testing Survey (September 2011)

Please provide contact information for the person in your Agency that is most familiar with the data we are seeking. State: Name and Title:

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Virginia

Email:

Phone:

Tanya Washington, Tanya.Washin Budget Analyst 615-253-8187 [email protected] Coordinator

Rosie Plattenburg, CID Plans & Operations

Tom Patterson, Executive Director

Kathy Brame, Training Manager

rosie.plattenb [email protected] 936-437-6274 .tx.us

tompatterson @utah.gov

801-545-5515

kathy.brame@ vadoc.virginia. 804-784-6802 gov

Physical Capacity Testing Survey.xls (CO)

1. Does your Department give a physical performance test to potential Correctional Officers?

2. If so, does your Department give this test ... before a job offer is made? … after a job offer is made?

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

3. Does your Department give existing Correctional Officers a physical fitness or performance test?

4. If you answered "Yes," to either Questions #1 or #2, how are the test results evaluated?

Comments:

No

before a job offer is made

before a job offer is made

before a job offer is made

Yes

Physical Agility Test (PAT) Completion: All uniformed employees and potential employees must complete the PAT to successfully pass the Pre-Service and annual In-Service Training Programs. A cumulative score of at least 75 points is required to successfully complete the PAT. The PAT and scoring guidelines are as follows: 1. PUSH-UPS – 1 point for each push-up completed in one minute 2. 45 POUND WEIGHT CARRY: (maximum 10 points) Pick up the weight–2 points, Carry the weight fifteen yards–2 points, Place weight on the floor–2 points, Pick up weight–2 points, Carry the weight fifteen yards – 2 points 3. SIT-UPS:–1 point for each sit-up completed in one minute 4. DEEP SQUATS–1 point for each deep squat completed in one minute 5. LADDER CLIMB–4 points for each set up and down the ladder (maximum 5 sets for 20 points) 6. QUARTER MILE RUN OR WALK (maximum 25 points) Utah does a PT test that requires a minimum performance prior to an offer of employment -- this is less than the standard required for graduation/officer certification but high enough to give a good indication of fitness level with optimism that the cadet will achieve the higher standard within the 13 weeks of academy training. Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) has a higher standard of fitness and this requirement must be met prior to graduation and beginning of formal duties. If a cadet is unable to meet the standard required for certification, they are dismissed from employment, and it is noted as a failure to satisfy conditions of the cadet's probationary employment.

No

Personal observation by Human Resource and training academy staff

No

Virginia utilizes a Pre-Employment Agility Test for all potential CO candidates. The test is comprised of four components: Sit-ups, Push-ups, Sprint, and One-mile run. This is a pass/fail test - a candidate must successfully meet the standards for all four We, as a department, have talked on several occasions about components. If they do not meet the standards, they do not move administering a physical training test on an annual basis; to date, forward in the hiring process; however, they can come back and rewe have not finalized a process. When we started the PEAT test. For the sit-ups and push-ups, a specified number must be testing, we noticed a decline in the number of officers that were completed within a designated time; for the sprint and mile run, recycled out of the program due to either injury, medical or each of those components must be completed within a certain time academic; I fully support pre-employment physical training. I period. Tests are administered at the facility level by the Institutional would be interested in any results that you can share with our Training Officer or the Asst. Institutional Training Officer. All persons department - thank you for the opportunity to participate. administering the tests are either trained by Academy staff or another instructor who has received the training at the Academy. All tests scores are sent in to the Academy and are kept in a database for reference as needed. Page 5 of 6

Last Updated: 9/29/11

ASCA Responses: Physical Capacity Testing Survey (September 2011)

Please provide contact information for the person in your Agency that is most familiar with the data we are seeking. State: Name and Title:

Email:

Phone:

1. Does your Department give a physical performance test to potential Correctional Officers?

Washington

Lorna Ovena, M.A. ldovena@DO SPHR Human 360-725-8590 C1.WA.GOV Resources

No

West Virginia

Wayne Armstrong

wayne.r.armstr 304-558-2036 [email protected]

Yes

Wyoming

Brenda Reedy

brenda.reedy @wyo.gov

307-777-3436

Yes

19

Total

No

15

3. Does your Department give existing Correctional Officers a physical fitness or performance test?

4. If you answered "Yes," to either Questions #1 or #2, how are the test results evaluated?

Comments:

No before a job offer is made before a job offer is made

Yes

34

Physical Capacity Testing Survey.xls (CO)

2. If so, does your Department give this test ... before a job offer is made? … after a job offer is made?

before a job offer is made after a job offer is made

Yes

Pass/Fail Standard

No

WDOC uses the same Physical Fitness test required by the Law Enforcement Academy for Detention Officers. We utilize the Cooper Institute Standards for sit-ups, push-ups and 1.5 mile run. Test results are evaluated on a pass/fail system. Candidates are offered a re-test if they are very close to passing but miss by up to one minute or up to three push-ups/sit-ups.

15

Yes

7

4

No

27

Page 6 of 6

Our agility test is physically not too demanding, and we do make provisions for officers who fail to continue employment and retest.

Last Updated: 9/29/11