The following Physical Fitness Assessment tests will be administered in conjunction with the overall testing process for consideration for employment with the Quincy Police Department. The tests are designed to evaluate your general physical fitness. The standards utilized for comparison are based upon the general public norms.  The tests shown are those required by the State Training Board for Police Officers in the State of Illinois. The Board of Fire and Police Commission may consider an applicant that fails to meet these minimum standards in one area, if the applicant shows an ability to attain the minimum standards.

The following are the minimum requirements for each test.

Mandatory stretching exercises will be conducted prior to the tests.  Appropriate attire (clothes and shoes) should be worn by the applicant in order to properly participate in the tests.

       The Flexibility Test (sit and reach) consists of the applicant sitting flat on the floor with their legs extended towards and touching a box.  The applicant in stocking feet will place their heels eight inches apart and touching the front edge of the box.  A yardstick, attached to the top of the box extends toward the applicant from the front edge of the box for fifteen (15) inches.  The applicant will then slowly reach forward, with one hand overtop of the other, as far as possible and then hold that position momentarily.  The distance reached on the yardstick by the fingertips is then recorded.  The best of three tries is considered the score for this test.

    The Dynamic Strength/Muscular Endurance Test (bent knee sit-ups) consists of the applicant starting by lying flat on their back with their knees bent and their fingers laced behind their head.  The applicant then sits up touching their elbows to their knees before returning to the start position.  The applicant will perform as many correct sit-ups as possible in one (1) minute’s time for the score in this test.  An assistant will help hold down the applicant’s feet.

     The Absolute Strength Test consists of an applicant using a bench press machine or free weights to press the maximum number of pounds they can in one repetition.  The score in this test will be the maximum number of pounds pressed divided by the applicant’s body weight to obtain the percentage of body weight lifted.  This test will be performed as follows:

 1.         An estimate of the weight the applicant can press in one

             maximum effort will be made.

 2.         Two-thirds of this estimated weight will then be set on the

             bench press machine.

 3.         The applicant will then be instructed to press this weight once

             for an easy warm-up.

 4.         Weights will be added in five to ten pound increments to the

              maximum weight level.  The applicant will be instructed to

              lift, at each additional weight increment, for one repetition. 

              The first three to four repetitions will serve as warm up lifts in

              order to prevent muscle injury and to prepare the applicant

              for the maximum lift repetition.

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