OPOTA Fitness Requirements Change?

[jr324]

While talking with my partner last night, he had mentioned that he was told that Ohio had changed the exit requirements for physical fitness for OPOTA. Does anybody have any knowledge of this? If so, do you know what they have changed them to? I'm hoping for the good of recruitment that they have made them a litlle easier.

[LPI]

Here is a link for an academy still listing the 11:58 1.5 mile for males 29 and under.

http://www.mtc.edu/Academic/cj_peace_off.htm

[Jumper]

While talking with my partner last night, he had mentioned that he was told that Ohio had changed the exit requirements for physical fitness for OPOTA. Does anybody have any knowledge of this? If so, do you know what they have changed them to? I'm hoping for the good of recruitment that they have made them a litlle easier.

Please....PLEASE!!!! Tell me that you're joking?

[drewsy64]

yeah, man, a 12 minute 1.5 isn't that hard. I've been getting back into running recently, and I've been consistently running my 1.5's in 12:30. I'm sure that once I really get into my workouts, I'll be able to get that 12 easily. If you think about it, it's just 8 minute miles back to back. I agree, OPOTA shouldn't make it easier. Cops need to be in shape, just comes with the territory

[wpipes]

Can anyone verify this or is it line of BS. how can this nasty rumor be verified or debunked......anyone.....bueller?

[LPI]

This thread is the only place I have heard it. All the acadamies that I am aware of are still using the same standards. Call OPOTC directly and get it out of the horses mouth.


Here is a link directly from the AG website, showing the same standards.

http://www.ag.state.oh.us/le/training/pubs/50thChart.pdf

[waxcop]

Those are the right stats. I am a Police Academy Commander in Ohio and last year 10 out of 12 cadets in the Fall Academy class could not achieve the minimum. I spent 25 + years as a cop and never even heard of anyone having to chase a perp more than a couple blocks. I find the run requirement way out of line and would bet that fewer than 20% of the officers on the street today could meet that standard. Most of the instructors who teach at my academy also think the required level is stupid.. 100 or 200 yard run should be required, but a mile and a half???? Come on, give me a break!!!! Don't look for them to change, either.

Chief Bill

[Mystikal]

thats not far off colorado's requirements either... well.. what each agency can set them to. most use the cooper standards.. which for <29 is 12:51 for 40%. for 30-34 its like 13:21 for 40% i do believe. Being an asthmatic I have a hard time even making the 40% giving my all.. but i blew away the pushups and situps getting near 100% on each yet i was still dogged on my run :mad: I agree.. short sprints wouldn't be bad.. which i can accomplish.. but if its more than a few blocks.. i'm getting the car.

[jr324]

Thanks for the informative reply Chief Bill. That's all I needed and I also whole-heartedly agree with fitness standards but I feel that ohio's is outrageous

[LPI]

Thanks for the informative reply Chief Bill. That's all I needed and I also whole-heartedly agree with fitness standards but I feel that ohio's is outrageous

You're 21 and should have no problem with these standards, if you are having problems with the standards, lay off the twinkies.

I'd like to add, obviously you will not be chasing someone for 1.5 miles, but may chase somebody for a few blocks and then have to fight them for five minutes.

The purpose of the 1.5 mile timed run is to measure the heart and vascular system's capability to transport oxygen (stamina and endurance).

[wpipes]

I dont think it's fair to tell anyone to "lay off the twinkies". slamming others on this forum is poor taste. not everyone is a natural born athlete. that being said some people who are out of shape and want to pass that run need to put forth the effort in and out of the academy. i am one of two sponsored people in my class of 21, all others being open enrollment. i ran my mile and a half in 17 minutes to start and i'm down to under 12.30 now. i agree LEO's should be in shape. i also think that OPOTA's fitness requirement is very strict compared to other states. i'm 6'3, 245 and running does not come easy for me. but like in the military you have to suck it up and press on. i know people who can run the time in 10 something, but dont know thier *** from a hole in the ground. should the times change? i think OPOTA should look at how many have not passed the run just as the chief had said, this is something that needs addressed.

[LPI]

I dont think it's fair to tell anyone to "lay off the twinkies". slamming others on this forum is poor taste. not everyone is a natural born athlete. that being said some people who are out of shape and want to pass that run need to put forth the effort in and out of the academy. i am one of two sponsored people in my class of 21, all others being open enrollment. i ran my mile and a half in 17 minutes to start and i'm down to under 12.30 now. i agree LEO's should be in shape. i also think that OPOTA's fitness requirement is very strict compared to other states. i'm 6'3, 245 and running does not come easy for me. but like in the military you have to suck it up and press on. i know people who can run the time in 10 something, but dont know thier *** from a hole in the ground. should the times change? i think OPOTA should look at how many have not passed the run just as the chief had said, this is something that needs addressed.

LOL, being able to run a 12 min. 1.5 mile is certainly not a "natural born athlete". :eek: But I will concede that the requirement is a little stringent, a 12:51 1.5 mile, as other states have, may be more appropriate.

As far as your statement that OPOTA needs to look at how many have not passed the run, there certainly is no shortage of applicants coming out of the acadamies now is there?

The "lay off the twinkies" statement may have been harsh, but it is true. Instead of complaining about the standards, lose the weight and train. Problem solved!

[Jumper]

I'm sorry but you're going to get no sympathy from me if you can't meet the OPOTA requirements. They're not harsh, they're ridiclously easy.

Like LPI said, you may not have to chase someone for 1.5 miles but if you're gassed after about 300-400 yards, THEN you gotta fight someone, more than likely you're going to get your *** kicked.......or worse you'll get mine kicked.

I'm 44 years old and run about a 8:52 mile and a half. I'm not a "natural" athlete or gifted. I work hard at my fitness.

You have two choices: Meet the standard. Or don't.

[juszczec]

Hi folks

FWIW, fitness is an avocation of mine. For a lot of reasons, not the least of which is I help run a karate/jujutsu program out of a health club in Akron.

I've learned much about getting/staying in shape. I'm interested in sharing it with people who need it so they avoid any of the problems (injuries) I've had.

PM me if you think I can help. I'm also going to be reading/posting on this site's Fitness forum.

[adams2311]

I just want to comment on this thread, because I feel compelled to weigh in on this issue. I am an active duty Marine and physical fitness is a very important apspect of our job. Much like the military, police departments also require a physical fitness standard. I urge you to not take take physical fitness lightly because your life may depend on your level of fitness one day. I have two combat tours in Iraq, I strongly feel that my Marines and I made it out of some hairy situations because of our conditioning and I am sure that some members of this forum can back me up on this. Physical fitness is one of the most important factors in your quest to becoming a law enforcement officer, hence the physical training regime in the police academey. We have a saying in the military, sweat in a peace time environment so that you don't have to bleed in war. Train now and train hard. Your life may very well depend on that 1.5 run one day!!!

[mock1]

Well I just took the pt test 8-1-08 .The test started at 09:00 and it was 96* outside.There was only five of us left and only three of us passed it.I'm 32 so I had to run the 12:25 man it was so hot when I got close to the finish line I fell down because my body was just out of gas.I was at 11:50 When I fell and I rolled across the finish at 12:09.Then I couldn't see or walk for 45 min I gave every body a good laugh:confused:.The funny thing is I ran every day I was in good shape.There not going to change the pt test at all.My instructor for pt is on the opota committy that made the requirements and he said if anything they may make inservice officers do yearly tests.

[JB1978]

Some of the comments on this thread are just absolutley ridiculous. Go beat on your chest somewhere else, you know who you are. You may be able to run like the wind, that gives you ZERO right to judge anyone else and further more your atittude is the reason a lot of people don't like police officers. It makes you look very, very bad.

Now that I got that off of my chest!

The OPOTA PT requirements, especially the run are a little extreme. I don't care who you are, gifted athlete or not. 1.5 miles in 11:58 is no joke. I HIGHLY doubt there are many people coming off the street who are at that level. I doubt even more the number of police officers on the street who could do that at any given moment.

I agree that police officers should be in the best shape possible. I also agree that you will not be chasing anyone for 1.5 miles. The PT test is proves that you can meet a paper standard. Being able to do push ups, sit ups and run IS NO GUARANTEE or in my opinion even a good indicator of how well you would perform in a short chase and or fight.

I dont understand all of the emphasis placed on the run. Running is not going to help you subdue a 285lb monster with a disproportionate amount of muscle mass and a bad temper to boot. You would think that in this line of work building muscle, not eliminating it ( which is what running does, because it reduces fat, and you cant loose one without the other). Would be the ultimate goal.

I think the standards should be changed. An obstacle course type PT test would be better I think. Something closer to what you might actually face in the field.

I ABSOLUTLEY AGREE that police officers should have to pass a PT test yearly.

What good is it if I could run a 11:58 when I was hired, but 15 years later I can't even bend down to tie my boot?

Lets all be honest. Most police officers you see walking, no , driving around today are not exactly specimens of physical fitness.

Just my 2 cents.

[FiremanMike]

I think you need to re-evaluate the purpose of the 1.5 mile run. It has absolutely nothing to do with chasing someone for 1.5 miles, it has to do with overall cardio-fitness.

In the end it's moot, the same arguments for both sides come over and over. OPOTA is not going to budge on this issue, so we're going to need to just deal with it.

[mikol427]

I agree i dont understand why the state only makes you pass this physical test once. To graduate the academy, and that's it. What's the point of even making recruits do it if their not gonna make them retest at least once a year? Also why not make those people who are already LEO's, that got on be for this new law went into effect, do it?

[FiremanMike]

I agree i dont understand why the state only makes you pass this physical test once. To graduate the academy, and that's it. What's the point of even making recruits do it if their not gonna make them retest at least once a year? Also why not make those people who are already LEO's, that got on be for this new law went into effect, do it?

Our DT instructor is on the fitness board for OPOTA, who assures is that an annual exam is coming.

[mikol427]

What happens if you go over the 11:58 by 2 or 3 sec, do they still fail you?

[FiremanMike]

During basic class, yes. We had one guy at 12:02, failed. They make it very clear from the moment you sign up for class that it is that way.

[trooperden]

I would say quite a few officers are not physically fit,why I don't know since being physically fit is a main factor in staying alive. Instead of crying about how rigid the standards are, use that energy to become physically fit, That next stop could be your last.

[Jumper]

Some of the comments on this thread are just absolutley ridiculous. Go beat on your chest somewhere else, you know who you are. You may be able to run like the wind, that gives you ZERO right to judge anyone else and further more your atittude is the reason a lot of people don't like police officers. It makes you look very, very bad.

Out of shape and thin skinned. You'll make a great cop. By the way...I may mock and criticize but I never judge.

[JB1978]

Oh here we go. Shooting off at the mouth and have no idea what your talking about or who you're talking to. Furthermore, if you're going to insert a quote of mine, be sure and use the whole thing.

Just because I said the standards where "rigid" did not imply that I was unable to meet them, now did it??????????????????????????????????????

Think skinned? DO NOT SPEAK OF THINGS WHICH YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT. Doing that can get you into a lot of trouble!!!!!!


Weak sauce, son. Next.



I'm not going to get into a ******ing contest with you, which is exactly what you want. You have proved me right with your comments.

Neanderthal, judgemental, arrogant...Definetley not one who reads something and takes the time to think about it before opening their mouth and making themselves look like a....... well, you know. Does this sound like you??????


I have no doubt that you are a great cop though and an even more wonderful human being. Really.

[HKUSP40C]

WHAT TEST STANDARDS MUST ONE MEET?
OHIO PEACE OFFICER BASIC TRAINING PROGRAM
PHYSICAL FITNESS STANDARDS
(50TH Percentile*)
Age and Gender Minimum Scores
Males (<-29) Females (<-29)
Sit-ups (1 min) 40 35
Push-ups (1 min) 33 18
1.5 Mile Run 11:58 14:15
Males (30-39) Females (30-39)
Sit-ups (1 min) 36 27
Push-ups (1 min) 27 14
1.5 Mile Run 12:25 15:14
Males (40-49) Females (40-49)
Sit-ups (1 min) 31 22
Push-ups (1 min) 21 11
1.5 Mile Run 13:05 16:13
Males (50-59) *Females (50-59)
Sit-ups (1 min) 26 17
Push-ups (1 min) 15 13* Modified
1.5 Mile Run 14:33 18:05
Males (60+) *Females (60+)
Sit-ups (1 min) 20 8
Push-ups (1 min) 15 8* Modified
1.5 Mile Run 16:19 20:08

[FiremanMike]

What are you asking?

[ammcarty]

I was sick when I did the final... I did an 11:20, with time to stop and throw up 3 times. I'm a runner by no means. Yes, training for the 1.5 sucked, but for the good of recruitment, standards should not be lowered.

[HKUSP40C]

I was not a runner either! My very first run was over 17 minutes! For the final test, I ran it in 11:18 (I was 29).

The push-ups came easy for me but the sit-ups and run took work. Even though the training was arduous, it got me in much better shape. I lost around 15 lbs and gained some nice muscle from all the training.

Remember - the PT is not just to measure how fast you can run 1.5 miles, how many sit-ups/push-ups you can do in a minute. The PT gets you in shape to handle the DT (Defensive Training). Trust me - if you've ever tussled with a suspect or even someone in a non-LE capacity, you know that you can burn energy quickly if you are not in shape or if you don't have the proper training. The idea is the PT fuels the DT.

So when you are thinking, "What the hell is the point of all this PT?" It's getting you into shape and helping you survive a possible deadly encounter. Will you ever have a foot pursuit that requires you to run 1.5 miles? It's possible but unlikely. You may, however, end up fighting for your life in a 6 or 7 minute tussle and you'll be glad that you are in-shape enough to survive and win the fight.

[berman01]

I was not a runner either! My very first run was over 17 minutes! For the final test, I ran it in 11:18 (I was 29).

The push-ups came easy for me but the sit-ups and run took work. Even though the training was arduous, it got me in much better shape. I lost around 15 lbs and gained some nice muscle from all the training.

Remember - the PT is not just to measure how fast you can run 1.5 miles, how many sit-ups/push-ups you can do in a minute. The PT gets you in shape to handle the DT (Defensive Training). Trust me - if you've ever tussled with a suspect or even someone in a non-LE capacity, you know that you can burn energy quickly if you are not in shape or if you don't have the proper training. The idea is the PT fuels the DT.

So when you are thinking, "What the hell is the point of all this PT?" It's getting you into shape and helping you survive a possible deadly encounter. Will you ever have a foot pursuit that requires you to run 1.5 miles? It's possible but unlikely. You may, however, end up fighting for your life in a 6 or 7 minute tussle and you'll be glad that you are in-shape enough to survive and win the fight.


I totally agree with this I am currently in the academy in Wooster and they do a great job getting everyone into shape. I am not a runner either when we first tested I was at 17 mins also and after 2 mnths I have cut my time down to 15 mins it's not alot but it is showing great improvements and with the situps and push ups I also suck greatly at them but I do see great improvements coming out of the butt loads that we do in class and like HKUSP40C says when you are fighting for your life you will be greatful these people got you into great shape while in school.

[Glory Days]

its also a test of personal discipline. are you willing to work out on your own and eat right to get yourself in shape. are you going to be able to reach down when your running a 17 minute 1.5 mile like some of the people just posted and be able to cut it to 11:58 or whatever you need. or are you going to go home after work, eat donuts, be out of breath when walking up 4 stairs, and then complain that the OPOTA pt test is unfair?

[ammcarty]

I was reading a similar topic in another forum... There were people on both sides of the fence (with obvious difference between the healthy and unhealthy officers). Then a CO chimed in, and put everything into perspective:

Bottom line is that criminals train in maneuvers that will help them evade, overpower, and outsmart the police. Behind bars they work out non-stop and practice various techniques to give them an advantage. Why would we not want to do the same, we want to be on the winning team right? I don't know about you guys, but I'm determined to live when a call goes sour.