The aim of this study was to determine the bona fide occupational requirements of general duty police work, and use this information to re-validate a physical abilities test used in the police recruit selection process. A systematic random sample (n = 267) of general duty police officers completed two questionnaires: one concerning``average'' duties, and one concerning the most physically demanding critical incident occurring in the 12 months prior. Of those completing the surveys, observational data were collected on every second officer, resulting in observational data collected for 121 officers, involving the recording of all physical activities and movement patterns observed throughout a ten hour shift. Data collected suggest there is a core of bona fide occupational requirements for general duty police work ± walking, climbing stairs, manipulating objects, twisting/turning, pulling/pushing, running, bending, squatting and kneeling, and lifting and carrying. Many of these are involved in physical control of suspects, and can be tested using a well designed physical abilities test that simulates getting to the problem, controlling the problem, and removing the problem.Like many occupations specializing in emergency services and crisis intervention, such as the armed forces and firefighters, there is no doubt that the physical demands of police work are higher than those occupations of a more sedentary nature. From the routines of shift-work and uneventful patrol to the physical responses and actions required in critical incidents, police officers must be physically capable of performing all occupational requirements successfully, and in a way which maximizes the safety and security of all those concerned (Anderson et al., 2000;Bonneau and Brown, 1995). Failure to screen out candidates who cannot perform such duties can result in injury, long term disability, rapid employee turnover and poor productivity, each having both a human and an economic cost (Brownlie et al., 1985;Superko et al.