Physical Fitness: OK you may be surprised to know (or maybe not after seeing some of my fellow police officers on the streets) that there is no nationwide physical fitness requirement. Many departments have their own physical requirements. Some police academies require very tough physical standards. Think about the reality of it. You have to be physically fit to do this job, and the more fit you are the more likely you are to survive a physical altercation.
Being physically fit will save your life and maybe that of your fellow police officers and the citizens you serve. Imagine chasing a bad guy on foot for a few hundred yards and once you catch them you’re too tired to fight? You may end up dead. Being physically fit is almost a requirement for self-survival. Your best bet is to get in shape BEFORE the academy so it is not an issue.
