Could you pass the NYPD’s physical fitness test?
The obstacle course from hell
The clock starts with a climb. From a kneeling position, candidates must sprint 50 feet and then scale a 6-foot chain-link fence in the Police Academy Gym. You get three tries to clear the fence.
No rest for the weary — next up is the six-stair system, where NYPD hopefuls must complete three over-and-back runs, equal to a four-story climb.
Test of strength and endurance
Still standing? The next step challenges candidates to resist or control force in a physical restraint scenario, using a weight machine designed to simulate a struggle with a suspect.
From there, it’s a 600-foot cone run, followed by a simulated victim rescue where candidates must drag a 176-pound mannequin a full 35 feet.
The final hurdle is the trigger pull. Wannabe cops must handle a dummy firearm, keeping it steady within a 9-inch target and pulling the trigger 16 times with their dominant hand and 15 times with the other.
Easing up on fitness
If that sounds tough, know that it used to be tougher.
The NYPD has dramatically relaxed its fitness requirements in recent years, responding to a record wave of retirements and a shrinking pool of recruits.
In 2021, the department extended the original 3:28 time limit by nearly a full minute to give more candidates a shot.
In 2022, they swapped out a 6-foot faux wall for a more climb-friendly chain-link fence after a viral video showed out-of-shape, wannabe cops laughably trying — and failing — to scale it.
In 2023, the NYPD ditched the 1.5-mile run, which had to be completed in 14:21 or less to graduate.
Training chief Juanita Holmes defended the decision to eliminate the timed run, arguing it wasn’t essential for police work and that it was preventing otherwise qualified candidates — particularly women — from moving forward.
“No cop on patrol runs a mile and a half,” she said. “No one’s chasing anyone a mile and a half. Not to mention every day in the gym you’re doing a mile and a half [as part of training].”
The test involves:
- Dragging a 176-pound mannequin 35 feet
- Pulling the trigger on a dummy firearm, keeping it steady within a 9-inch target, 16 times with their dominant hand and 15 times with the other
- Scaling a 6-foot chain-link fence
- Completing a six-stair system, where NYPD hopefuls must complete three over-and-back runs, equal to a four-story climb
- Resisting or controlling force in a physical restraint scenario
Conclusion
The NYPD’s physical fitness test is a grueling obstacle course that requires recruits to push their bodies to the limit. While the test has been relaxed in recent years, it’s still a challenging and demanding assessment that only the most physically fit candidates can pass.
FAQs
What is the NYPD’s physical fitness test?
The test is a series of six obstacles that must be completed in under 4 minutes and 28 seconds while wearing a 14-pound weighted vest.
What are the obstacles in the test?
The obstacles include climbing a 6-foot chain-link fence, completing a six-stair system, resisting or controlling force in a physical restraint scenario, dragging a 176-pound mannequin 35 feet, pulling the trigger on a dummy firearm, and a 600-foot cone run.
Why did the NYPD relax its fitness requirements?
The NYPD relaxed its fitness requirements in response to a record wave of retirements and a shrinking pool of recruits. The department also argued that the original fitness standards were preventing otherwise qualified candidates from moving forward.
Can I retake the test if I fail?
Yes, you can retake the test if you fail. However, you typically need to wait 90 days before you can retake it.
