Before the test administrator can proceed with the test, your resting heart rate and blood pressure will be taken. This is to ensure that your heart rate is not equal to or above 100 beats per minute and your blood pressure is not equal to or above 160/90 mm Hg. These national standards have been set as a safety precaution. If you are equal to or above these levels, you will be asked to see your physician again to get additional permission to proceed with the test.
WPS-Physical Applicant Testing Protocol
This test is based on the Police Officers Physical Abilities Test (POPAT) with several modifications to the original protocol. These changes were implemented on January 1, 2008.
POPAT protocol and concept were developed by Douglas W. Farenholtz, MSc. and Dr. E.C. Rhodes in cooperation with the Justice Institute of British Columbia and the University of British Columbia.
Further information on WPS-PAT is available from the Winnipeg Police Service or by contacting the recruiting line at 204-986-4654.
WPS-PAT Orientation
The WPS-PAT Orientation is an in depth description and overview of the WPS-PAT. Participants will have an opportunity to view the course components and familiarize themselves with various stations. The orientation session includes a "walk through" of the test after which the participants are divided into small groups for a chance to try each station. Consultants will provide safety and exercise tips to each individual.
Participants will not be allowed to run a full course, but will be given approximate lap times for maximum of three to four laps and will try the push-pull and weight carry stations. Certificates will not be provided.
WPS-Physical applicant test
The WPS-PAT is designed to have you demonstrate that you have the minimum ability to perform the physical duties associated with this occupation by assessing your ability to:
- Get to the problem quickly: 400-metre mobility/agility run
- Deal with the problem physically: Push and pull station (80 lbs.)
- Take the problem away: weight carry (80 lbs.)
The test is conducted in a gymnasium with the participant attired in clothing appropriate for physical activity and supportive footwear with good grip. It consists of running 400 metres (1/4 mile) over a six- lap course including climbing up and down stairs, jumping over low obstacles, followed by pushing and pulling 80 lbs. of resistance and finishing with lifting and carrying 80 lbs. a distance of 50 feet.
To pass the WPS-PAT, the participant must perform all activities within the defined protocol and complete the timed portion (parts 1 and 2) within four minutes and 15 seconds and then lift and carry the torso bag a distance of 50 feet (part 3).
Most test participants will experience a maximum heart rate during the test. The WPS-PAT will place a brief but maximal stress on your cardiovascular system. It will also stress your anaerobic, muscular strength and endurance fitness. The test is designed to encourage you to work at your maximum physical abilities. If you have concern over your ability to perform hard work, you should not perform the test.
The test will be described and demonstrated to you before your performance. Further, you will be given time to practice the test items so that you will know your capabilities and have the confidence to complete the test should you choose to continue.
Demonstration
Test breakdown
400-metre mobility/agility run
This involves six laps of a circuit incorporating changes of direction, climbing over a 3 foot fence, negotiating six stairs up and down and hurdling low barriers. You will be encouraged to complete the run portion as quickly as possible. On completing the sixth lap, move immediately to the Pulling Station.
Station 1 is generally completed within two to two-and-a-half minutes with an average lap time of 20 to 25 seconds. The test administrator will give you your time at the end of each lap to assist with your pacing. You must successfully complete six laps of this course before running to Station 2.
In negotiating the 3-foot high fence you are required to touch the bar with at least one hand. You may touch the bar with any part of your body. Negotiating the stairs requires placing you feet carefully especially in laps 4, 5 and 6 as you fatigue. If a stick is knocked off during the hurdles, a two-second penalty will be added to your final time for each stick displaced.
Experience has shown that in addition to obvious heavy breathing, test participants experience muscle fatigue in the legs during the 400-meter run. This is particularly evident during laps 4, 5 and 6 and requires additional caution during the stair run. Testers will require you to demonstrate control when negotiating the course so that you minimize the chance of injury.
Push and Pull Station
After completing the sixth lap you move directly to the PULL station. This involves grabbing the rope with two hands and pulling the 80-lb. weight off its rest while moving through a controlled 180-degree arc (half circle). You must complete three arcs with the weight off the bottom rests. You will be asked to move your whole body deliberately from side to side while keeping the weight up off the rests. The tester will require you to break the plane of the machine with your shoulder closest to the wall, which requires a deliberate side to side movement.
If the weight touches the rest during the three arcs, you must start the activity over and complete three arcs in succession without the weights touching bottom. Further, your arms must not be straight or locked out when you are moving from side to side. You will be required to show some degree of bend at the elbow joints to demonstrate the necessary shoulder girdle and arm strength. Two verbal corrections will be provided and if you are still unable to demonstrate correct technique the test will be stopped and recorded as incomplete and not meeting standard.
Following the third arc you will be directed to lower the weight and move to the adjacent mat to complete two sprawls. This involves lowering yourself down to the mat to lie on your chest/stomach. This is followed by a roll over to your back and standing up. You will be asked to touch a 5-foot high line/ mark on the closest wall prior to repeating the fall to your chest/stomach rollover to back and stand up sequence. After your second sprawl you will move immediately to the push machine.
The push sequence is similar to the pull in that you must push the 80-lb. weight off the rests and keep it off bottom while completing three arcs (half circles). Once again you must not allow your arms to straighten during your side to side motion. If the weights bottom out during the sequence you will be asked to re-start and complete three pushes in succession before lowering the weights. If you are unable to demonstrate correct technique after two attempted corrections, the test will be stopped and marked as incomplete and not meeting standard.
Following the third arc you will be directed to lower the weight and move to the adjacent mat to complete two sprawls. This involves lowering yourself to the mat to lie on your chest. Roll over to your back and stand up. Touch the 5-foot high line on the wall and repeat a second sprawl. Stand up and return to the pull station where you will complete another three arcs pulling, two sprawls, three arcs pushing and two sprawls. Upon completing your final sprawl you will stand and touch above the 5-foot high line with your hand, which is the signal for the timer to stop.
This station takes between 70 to 90 seconds to complete. It involves a total of six pulls, six pushes and eight sprawls completed in the sequence described above.
Weight carry
This station is not timed, but you will be required to begin the weight carry within 30 seconds of the completion of Station 2. This involves picking up an 80-lb. torso sack in a safe manner using both hands. Once the sack is off the ground it may be carried with the arms and must be in front of the body. You will carry the sack a distance of 50 feet and then lower it to the floor in a controlled manner. You have two attempts to complete this portion of the test.
The torso sack must be carried in front of the body with both hands and/or arms demonstrating hand grip, elbow flexor, back and leg muscular strength and endurance. The torso sack must not be carried on the hip or shoulder. The material of the sack must be gripped with the hands to initiate the lift and carry which will demonstrate hand grip strength. Scooping the weight off the floor with the arms is generally unsafe lifting technique and is not allowed.
If you are unable to lift and carry the 80-lb torso sack a distance of 50 feet, you will be deemed to have failed the test.
This is a heavy weight for most persons and thus the risk for injury is high if a poor lifting technique is used. It is important to keep the back in a neutral position, secure the weight and lift with the legs.
Pass or fail statement
To pass the WPS-PAT, you must perform all activities within the defined protocol and complete the timed portion within four minutes and 15 seconds and then lift and carry the 80-lb. torso bag a distance of 50 feet.
POPAT protocol and concept were developed by Douglas W. Farenholtz, MSc. and Dr. E.C. Rhodes in cooperation with the Justice Institute of British Columbia and the University of British Columbia.