The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is seeking incumbent officers from municipal police agencies in Erie County and surrounding areas to participate in physical ability and fitness testing. The purpose of the testing is to finalize a new job-related physical ability test standard for entrance and graduation from the police academy that is legally defensible and employs the same performance standard for all police officer1 candidates. This standard will be job-related and based on the business necessity of the job of law enforcement work in the State of New York. In return, law enforcement agencies will be able to maximize their investment by selecting police officer candidates who can perform the rigors of academy training by already possessing the physical abilities necessary to complete the academy requirements associated with learning and performing the physical skills of the job prior to exiting the academy.
DCJS has scheduled incumbent officer physical ability and fitness testing for September 17-18, 2025, in Erie County at the Erie County Law Enforcement Training Academy, 6205 Main Street, Williamsville, NY 14221. Incumbent officers will need to attend both days of testing to collect the data necessary for finalizing the physical ability testing standard. Officers will be expected to complete tasks that reflect the physical demands of the job as well as a series of tests that assess the officer’s physical fitness level.
To accomplish this, DCJS is asking each agency to send a diverse group of sworn officers, including both male and female personnel from a range of age groups and fitness levels. This diversity will help ensure the testing and resulting standards are representative of municipal law enforcement agencies in New York State. Participants selected must be currently medically cleared and considered fit for full and unrestricted duty by their agency and participate as part of their agency’s collateral duty assignment, just as any normal training activity. This assures that any incident associated with illness or injury during testing will be treated by your agency as a job-related episode. In the unexpected event, emergency medical services will be on-site during the testing.
Both days of testing will begin at 0830 hours and conclude at approximately 1630 hours. To register officers, please complete the form found at https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8388379/Incumbent-Officer-Physical-Ability-and-Fitness-Testing-September-17-18-Erie-County by August 18, 2025. (Please complete one form per registrant.) DCJS will provide a confirmation notice along with any further pertinent information to registered officer(s). Thank you for your participation in this process. I recognize that changes in schedules and assignments can be inconvenient, but your efforts are both appreciated and, ultimately, in the best interests of both your agency and the State of New York. I am available to answer any questions you may have; I can be reached at (518) 457-1595 or by email at joshua.vinehout@dcjs.ny.gov.