Pennsylvania Agency Adds Agility Test for New Recruits
In the past, recruits had to meet physical standards set by the state’s Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission. That has age and gender standards for sit ups, push-ups and runs of 300 meters and 1.5 miles.

Officer Caitlyn Stallings of the Lancaster Bureau of Police demonstrates dragging a 150-pound dummy as required in the agency's new agility test.
Lancaster Bureau of Police/Facebook
When the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Bureau of Police next offers potential recruits the opportunity to take its physical fitness test, candidates will get a taste of policing’s physical demands thanks to a new agility course.
Elements include being given a suspect description then quickly exiting a patrol vehicle, climbing over a 5-foot-high wall, crawling under a 2-foot high by 10-foot-long obstacle, climbing through a window, identifying the suspect and dragging a 150-pound dummy for 15 feet — over the span of about 150 yards, Lancaster Online reports. The test is timed and must be completed in one minute and 36 seconds.
In the past, recruits had to meet physical standards set by the state’s Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission. That has age and gender standards for sit ups, push-ups and runs of 300 meters and 1.5 miles.
Recruits will still have to meet those standards to enter the police academy, but not to qualify for the first step of joining the Lancaster force.
More Training

Safariland Solis Rethinks Concealable Duty
What if Level I retention didn’t require a full duty rig? Safariland’s Solis delivers trusted ALS security in a streamlined OWB platform built for administrative and plainclothes professionals who need protection without the bulk.
Read More →Two-Officer Tactical Doorway Entry Techniques
Entering a room during active-threat situations requires communication, coordination, and disciplined tactical movement. In this video, trainers from the United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association demonstrate critical room entry concepts, including fatal funnel awareness, team coordination, and safe tactical movement.
Read More →High Compressed Ready Explained | Muzzle Control For Room Entry
In this video, Mike Willis, law enforcement national training and program director for the United States Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, demonstrates the high compressed ready position and discusses muzzle control during room entry.
Read More →
Built for Patrol: How One Police Chief Fixed Communication, Boosted Visibility, and Changed the Culture
Patrol work hasn’t changed—but the expectations on officers have. See how one police chief helped officers get the right information at the right time, improve patrol visibility, and strengthen trust without adding complexity or surveillance. This real-world story shows how patrol-driven technology can make the job safer, smarter, and more effective—starting on day one.
Read More →Why Attend the DroneSense Innovation Summit by Versaterm?
Let’s hear from Ryan Bracken, head of product, about why your agency should send someone to the first annual DroneSense Innovation Summit by Versaterm in April.
Read More →
Caswell Live Fire Spins Off from InVeris
Caswell Live Fire has spun off from parent company InVeris, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Caswell’s founding. Over the past 100 years, Caswell has developed pioneering solutions that support military, law enforcement, and commercial clients worldwide.
Read More →When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips with a yellow headline that reads When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?
Read More →How to Pick Your High-Risk Stop Location for Tactical Advantage
Hear veteran trainer Mike Willis, of the United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association, explain several considerations that can help you wisely pick your best spot to initiate high-risk or felony traffic stops.
Read More →Coffee Break with Police Experts: Using Your Patrol Vehicle for Cover
In this video, hear from Dustin Mowery, a product specialist at Team Wendy, as he discusses how to best use a patrol vehicle for cover.
Read More →
Preventing Blue-on-Blue Shootings
In this video, Mike Willis, law enforcement national training and program director, United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association, discusses how to prevent blue-on-blue shootings.
Read More →
