Hiring Process - Police - Gwinnett County

Physical Agility Test:

Obstacle Course

The course measures a total of 870 feet (290 yards/265.2 meters). The course consists of a series of nine interspersed individual tasks, arranged in a continuous format that are viewed as being essential (physical) job-tasks for law enforcement training:

• Running
• Jumping (low hurdle)
• Climbing stairs
• Low crawling
• Jumping (broad-type)
• Climbing a fence (chain-link/four feet)
• Climbing through a window
• Moving/dragging a weight (150 pounds)
• Changing direction on the run

The standard for successful completion of the course will be for the PFA participant, unassisted during the event, to complete the course in no more than two minutes and six seconds (2:06). A time penalty (two seconds added) for failure to negotiate the low crawl or the ditch jump will be imposed and added to the individual’s cumulative score. Failure to negotiate any obstacle and/or to stop continuous motion will NOT constitute a “failure”. PFA participants will be allowed three attempts to successfully negotiate obstacles (stair climb, fence, wall/window). At each failed attempt, the instructor will tell the student to back-up to a designated point in attempt to gain momentum to negotiate the obstacle. Following a third failed attempt at a given obstacle, the student will be instructed to walk around the obstacle and to continue the course in order for the individual’s time to be recorded for purposes of the comparison of performance (time) to ability (non-negotiation of obstacle(s)).

The candidate starts the course at a point, indicated in green on the course map.

• The candidate runs one and ¾ laps around the perimeter of the course
• The first obstacle encountered in the interior consists of two low hurdles, one and a half feet high and four-feet long, placed 13 feet apart
• After clearing the hurdles, stairs (five steps up to a 32-inch wide landing, 45 inches above the floor, and five steps down) must be negotiated twice (note that each step has a 7.5 inch rise and tread that is 11-inches wide)
• Once the stair event is completed another low hurdle must be cleared; the trainee must then successfully negotiate a low crawl under an obstacle set at 2 ½ feet above the floor
• Make a turn and clear a ditch simulation that is six feet in width
• After another turn, a chain-link fence (four feet in height) must be climbed
• Two additional turns made, and a four-foot high window (opening is 3' wide x 4.5' high) must be successfully entered
• The candidate must then drag a 150-pound dead weight a distance of 20 feet
• After the weight drag, the candidate exits the course, completes one final lap around the perimeter, and finishes at the point indicated in red on the course map

To learn more about the obstacle course, see the graphic below.

Watch this video to learn more about the Physical Ability Test course

Preliminary Orientation:This step is to provide the applicant with some basic information about the Police Department. Personal information is also gathered. Some of the information will include, but is not limited to, educational background, employment history, and personal data. During this phase, an applicant will complete the Preliminary Orientation Booklet which requires the submission of detailed work and life history.

Oral Interview: Applicants who successfully complete the physical fitness assessment are scheduled for an oral interview. This interview is conducted by members of the Department ranging from the ranks of police officer to major.

Once the applicant successfully completes Phase I, they are placed on an applicant register. If the applicant is selected, they are given a conditional job offer. The final job offer is based on the successful completion of Phase II.