ORPAT – Oregon Physical Abilities Test Introduction
The Oregon Association Chiefs of Police received a grant in 2008 to purchase and deploy ten ORPAT systems in police agencies strategically located throughout
Oregon in order to make the Oregon Physical Abilities Test
more accessible to Oregon’s
police agencies.
The Oregon Physical Abilities Test (ORPAT) is a hybrid physical ability-job sample physical
ability assessment process designed to evaluate entry level
police officer candidates on the essential physical capacities
required to satisfactory perform their job duties. ORPAT
was originally based on data taken from the Canadian RCMP
PARE research and tests as well as multiple Job Task Analysis
(JTA’s) for the Oregon police, and corrections
officers.
ORPAT was designed to replicate critical
and essential physical tasks and demands faced by police
officers in the normal performance of their duties. Both
specific tasks and overall physical demands are replicated
in the ORPAT through the use of a carefully designed and
validated, times “obstacle course.”
Part One-Mobility Run
The ORPAT consist of a 1235-foot obstacle run where the officer
must demonstrate essential, job related physical abilities
such as mobility, agility, flexibility, power and general physical
endurance.
From the course start cone the officer runs to the outside
of the marked course towards the first obstacle the balance
beam. The officer must cross the beam in a controlled manner.
If the officer falls off the beam the officer must go back
to the start cone and renegotiate the beam.
The officer goes around the next cone and turns right running
towards the second obstacle, the officer must jump across a
five foot obstacle (mat). The officer must successfully get
all the way across the five foot jump. If the officer hits
any part of the five foot mat the first penalty is free the
second one is a 5 second penalty.
The officer goes around the next cone and turns left running
towards the third obstacle, the stair simulator. The officer
must run up and down the stairs hitting at least two steps
on the way up and two steps on the way down. The officer will
go around the cone at the bottom of the stairs and go back
up and down the stairs. The officer must not jump from the
top platform. If this occurs the officer will repeat that portion
of the stairs.
The officer will turn right and proceed onto the forth obstacle,
the crawl obstacle. The officer will crawl under this obstacle
touching at least one knee on the mat. The officer must not
knock over or carry this obstacle. If the officer carries or
knocks over the crawl obstacle the first one is free the second
one is a 2 second penalty.
The officer will go around the next cone and turn left and
run towards the next two identical obstacles, 18 inch high
hurdles. The officer must jump over the center of each obstacle.
If the officer knocks over one of these obstacles the first
one is free and the second one is a two second penalty.
The officer will go around the next cone
and turn right and runs towards the next obstacle and vault
over a 3-foot high railing simulating a fence. The officer
will land on both feet in control on the opposite side of the
vault obstacle, fall to their back or stomach (alternating
on each lap) recover to their feet without mechanical assistance
and proceed around the start cone before beginning the second
lap. Six laps are completed in this manner.
Part Two-Push Pull Machine
Push Activity
After completing the obstacle run the
officer moves to the mechanical push/pull station, consisting
of a push-pull unit and a line on the wall 39” from
the floor. Reaching the push-pull machine after completing
the sixth lap of the obstacle course should not take more
that five seconds.
Upon reaching the push-pull unit the officer grasps the machine
handles and pushes 80lbs off the floor, then moves left to
right completing a 180-degree arc. Six complete arcs must be
executed by bringing the bar parallel with the base of the
machine. The officer must remain in control of the machine
throughout the activity.
The officer’s chest may not touch
the lever arm. Arms must remain bent at the elbow throughout
the performance of the activity.
Controlled Falls
Once the push activity is completed the weight
is released, again while maintaining control at all times.
The officer moves away from the unit, falls on his/her back
executes a sit-up like maneuver, rising to a standing position
touching the marked line on the wall 39 inches from the floor.
The officer will then repeat this fall to their back. The officer
then executes a third fall to their stomach executing a push-up
like movement and stands up touching the marked line. The officer
will repeat this fall to their stomach. This sequence is repeated
twice, (4 falls, 2 back, 2 front). The officer can not use
the wall for assistance to help them to the standing position.
Pull Activity
When the fourth fall is completed the officer
grasps the rope and pulls the weight off the floor. Maintaining
the weight in this position, the officer moves through an arc
180 degrees by bringing the bar parallel to the base of the
machine. This action is repeated six times. The officer must
remain in control at all times and their elbows must remain
flexed.
Part Three-“Dummy” Drag
After a 60-second rest period subsequent to completing the
obstacle course and the push-pull portions of the test, the
officer must drag a 165 pound dummy a distance of 25 feet.
Officers must use the under the arm technique to accomplish
this. The officer will then drag the dummy for 25 feet. Officer
must perform this tack in a controlled and continuous manner.
One motion is started the officer cannot
stop if they are to pass this section of the test. Officers
will have three attempts to complete the task. Three unsuccessful
trials will constitute a failure. Officer failing the dummy
drag section fail the ORPAT examination.
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