Gender differences in police physical ability test performance

Birzer, Michael L.; Craig, Delores E.

doi:10.1108/07358549610122494

Cited by 45 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 7 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…[8][9][10] Physical fitness testing is often used by LEAs to in an attempt to find recruits that are capable of completing training and tasks specific to the occupation, while also not discriminating against individuals on the basis of age, sex, and ethnicity. 5 The non-inclusion of physical testing could expand the potential candidate pool, but may mean that a great range of fitness levels would be present in recruit classes. Specific to CAs, the results from this study suggested that when considering the overall mean data for male and female recruits, there were relatively few differences between the three classes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4 Fitness testing is typically used by a law enforcement agency (LEA) to ensure that they find candidates that have the requisite physical abilities to complete job-specific training and the tasks required in the occupation. Not incorporating any physical testing prior to matriculation, in addition to the non-discriminatory hiring practices adopted by most LEAs, 5 could mean that the pool of potential qualified CA recruits is greater. This increase in pool size may be of benefit to the LEA in terms of increasing their ability to select the most viable recruits and as a means to fill any vacant positions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, in law enforcement officers, numerous studies have shown inherent differences in fitness between males and females as shown by performance in assessments such as the maximum number of push-up in 60 seconds (sec), vertical jump, and 2.4 kilometer (km; 1.5 mile) run. 5,[11][12][13] This could potentially lead to a higher rate of injury in females if they are required to complete the same level of training as males, which has been shown to occur in recruits from the military. 14 Further, age may also have an impact on the physical fitness of law enforcement populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

A Retrospective and Comparative Analysis of the Physical Fitness of Custody Assistant Classes Prior to Academy Training

Lockie

Fazilat

Dulla

et al. 2018

Sport Exerc Med Open J

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Within a law enforcement agency (LEA), custody assistants (CAs) are responsible for upholding proper safety and security inside correctional facilities. However, unlike other law enforcement positions, CAs may not be subjected to fitness testing prior to matriculation. If there are differences in fitness between recruits across different classes, this could influence training adaptations following academy. Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical fitness of CAs across three different academy classes. Methods A retrospective examination of performance data was conducted on 108 CAs from three classes (Class 1: males=29, females=11; Class 2: males=22, females=16; Class 3: males=18, females=12). The fitness tests encompassed: number of push-ups and sit-ups in 60 seconds; 201-meter (m) and 2.4-kilometer (km) run times; and estimated maximal aerobic capacity (VO 2max) derived from the 2.4-km run. To compare males and females from the classes (the sexes were analyzed separately), a one-way analysis of variancewith Bonferroni post hoc was utilized (p<0.05). Effect sizes (d) were also calculated. Results Class 2 males executed significantly more sit-ups than those from Class 3. There were moderate effects for the greater number of push-ups completed by Class 2 compared to Class 3, and the faster 201-m run for Class 3 compared to Class 2 (d=0.60-1.00). There were no significant between-class differences for the females, but moderate effects for the greater sit-ups and estimated VO 2max for Class 1 compared to Class 3 (d=0.64-0.76). Conclusion Even without physical testing prior to academy, the CA classes from this LEA seemed to be relatively similar in fitness. However, physical training instructors should acknowledge that there may be select variances between certain classes (e.g. abdominal strength measured by sit-ups; anaerobic endurance measured by the 201-m run). Instructors should utilize appropriate assessments to characterize fitness of their recruits, and where possible, tailor training accordingly.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A Retrospective and Comparative Analysis of the Physical Fitness of Custody Assistant Classes Prior to Academy Training

Lockie

Fazilat

Dulla

et al. 2018

Sport Exerc Med Open J

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A number of authors have expressed concerns about the adverse impact physical agility tests are likely to have on women's chances for selection (Birzer & Craig, 1996; Campion, 1983; Evans, 1980; Gaines, Falkenberg, & Gambino, 1993; Hogan, 1991; Lunneborg, 1989; Maher, 1984). This is based on evidence that women score much lower on physical agility tests compared to men (Arvey, Landon, Nutting, & Maxwell, 1992; Birzer & Craig, 1996; Police Education Advisory Council, 1998). It is argued that these tests screen out a disproportionate number of women from the selection process (Townsey, 1982).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Applicant Reactions to Multiple Selection Procedures for the Police Force

Carless

2006

Applied Psychology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cette étude de terrain portant sur des candidats voulant entrer dans la police a fait appel à la théorie de Gilliland (1993) concernant la pertinence de la justice organisationnelle. La recherche a tenté d'analyser: a) la perception que les candidats avaient de trois procédures de sélection (tests de souplesse corporelle, tests psychologiques et entretien); b) si la perception des tests de souplesse corporelle variait avec le sexe; c) si les réactions aux procédures de sélections susmentionnées avaient une influence significative sur l'attirance exercée par l'organisation, l'intention d'accepter le poste et la perception de l'équité. Les candidats ont été contactés trois fois: à la présélection (1 ° période); après les tests psychologiques, l'épreuve d'agilité physique et l'entretien (2 ° période); et à la fin de la procédure de sélection (3 ° période). Il apparut que les candidats réagissaient plus favorablement aux entretiens et aux tests de souplesse corporelle qu'aux tests psychologiques. Les femmes tendaient à moins voir que les hommes un rapport entre les tests d'agilité physique et le travail. Les réactions des candidats vis-à-vis des tests psychologiques et des entretiens étaient le plus souvent sans lien avec l'attirance, les intentions et la perception de l'équité. Les réactions envers les tests d'agilité physique influençaient le désir de rejoindre les forces de police, mais pas le sexe. La perception du caractère (in)juste du résultat de la sélection était surtout sous la dépendance des a priori concernant l'utilisation des tests psychologiques et des entretiens dans la sélection. On examine les retombées de ces résultats sur la pratique et les recherches à venir.This field study of applicants seeking to join the police force used Gilliland's (1993) adaptation of organisational justice theory to frame the study. The study sought to examine (a) applicant perceptions of three selection procedures: physical agility tests, psychological tests, and interviews; (b) whether females and males had different perceptions of physical agility tests; and (c) if reactions to the aforementioned selection procedures had a significant influence on organisational attractiveness, job acceptance intentions, and fairness perceptions. Applicants were surveyed at three time points: pre-selection (Time 1); after psychological testing, physical agility testing, and interview (Time 2); and after the completion of selection procedures (Time 3). The findings showed

show abstract

“…In the further process of selection, their achievements in the tests are assessed, and the most qualified candidates are chosen. 5 Moreover, the aim of the selection models is to eliminate the candidates whose characteristics or abilities are not acceptable for police work. 6 Exactly because of such importance selection and education have on the one hand, and the development, results monitoring and the possibility of correlating those with work efficiency have on the other, these are highly significant subject matters of all police organisations over the world.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trend of changes of student results at the Academy of criminalistic and police studies entrance exam

Janković¹,

Koropanovski²

2017

NBP

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:The aim of the research was to determine the trends of changes on the Academy of Criminalistic and Police Studies (ACPS) entrance exam. Furthermore, the paper is to find whether there are any differences between the sexes in the terms of the results of the entrance exam. 1.576 examinees participated in the research (621 female and 955 male), all of which entered the ACPS as the students of basic and vocational studies. The paper analyses their scores in all components of the exam: High School Achievements (HSA), General Knowledge Test (GKT), Serbian Language and Literature Test (SLLT), the Level of Basic Motoric Abilities development (BMA) and the overall number of points achieved on the test. The results were firstly analysed by applying the basic descriptive statistics procedure, which determined the equation of trend of changes and R-squared values. The existence of the general variability differences between groups was determined by using MANOVA, while for the determination of partial differences between pairs of variables the Bonferroni test was used. The 1 This paper is the result of the research on project: "Management of police organization in preventing and mitigating threats to security in the Republic of Serbia", which is financed and carried out by the Academy of Criminalistic and Police Studies, Belgrade -the cycle of scientific projects 2015-2019.Radivoje Janković, Nenad Koropanovski[94] NBP • Žurnal za kriminalistiku i pravo positive changes trend for both sexes in HSA and the negative one in SLLT were demonstrated. In females, a positive trend in BMA and a negative GKT trend were observed. However, an opposite effect was detected in males. Nevertheless, despite the different trends in individual tests, the overall number of points achieved on the entrance exam demonstrated a positive trend of changes in both populations. MANOVA results showed that the females had statistically better results in HSA, SLLT and BMA variables, but worse results in GKT. The overall result on the entrance examination taken into account, the females had statistically better scores by 3.31%.

show abstract

Gender differences in police physical ability test performance

Cited by 45 publications

References 7 publications

A Retrospective and Comparative Analysis of the Physical Fitness of Custody Assistant Classes Prior to Academy Training

A Retrospective and Comparative Analysis of the Physical Fitness of Custody Assistant Classes Prior to Academy Training

Applicant Reactions to Multiple Selection Procedures for the Police Force

Trend of changes of student results at the Academy of criminalistic and police studies entrance exam

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About