Click Play Above
I receive numerous emails regarding the Physical Agility Test. Click above to watch a demonstration and read below for all the details. If you still have questions, please email me at officermccoy@gmail.com .
The Physical Agility Test consists of three (3) separate timed events as follows:
Event # 1 - Stair Climb -The first event consists of ascending two complete floors that must be completed in 17 seconds.
Event # 2 - Agility Run - A timed obstacle course that must be completed within 80 seconds or less. The course consists of an 800 foot run (6 total laps). During the first lap ONLY, the applicant must complete a 5’3” running jump, and climb a 3’6” wall.
Event #3 - Push Ups and Sit Ups - Immediately upon completion of the obstacle course, the applicant must do 6 push-ups and 20 sit-ups within 120 seconds.
Should the applicant fail any of the events, the entire test must be retaken. Two additional attempts may be given after a failure; should the third attempt fail, the applicant must wait 30 days before retaking the test.
66 comment:
Well, gee gosh and golly, Cap'n Midnight, that wasn't hard at all. And here, I've been worrying myself sick that I'll be outta shape for the PAT.
Question for you, though: I'm 265# at 6'4". I know I'm over the height/weight ratio. What sort of leeway is there to get past that while going through the application process? I'm already working out with a PT group, and will continue to do so as a New Year's promise to myself, but do I have to wait and come back when I'm within department hiring guidelines?
Thank you for posting this! It has really helped me.
Depending on your body type we can evaluate you. Please email me for further instructions.
I watched the video for the Physical Agility Test, and I know I can pass this course. I look forward to the challenges at the Academy and beyond.
Your office is doing a great service in posting this type of information. Words are great, but showing a potential recruit the minimum level of performance in a video--now that is a great motivator.
Thank you "Slamdunk" for the compliments. I am glad that I am connecting with the applicants.
Regarding the push ups..... is there modified female pushups allowed? i.e. knees on ground to accomodate the vastly different muscle groups used compared to males?
Seems this part of the test would eliminate a lot of females, especially older females and discourage them from applying.
As we are only asking for six push standard push ups. You can do it!!!!
Officer McCoy, I want to thank you for the time given to us to come to the academy. The tour was great
Officer Mccoy I want to thank you for puting that video on the website, it motivates me. The only concern I have is that 5ft jump. I have made an obstacle course of my own in my back yard to help me train for this test. I just want to say thank you, this video has been a big help.
You are welcome. I promise the wall is not a problem. you will be fine.
Officer Mccoy, Is there a height requirement? I am 5 ft I was just wondering. Thank you again
Officer Mccoy, is there a chart on here that shows you what qualifies as having your weight proportionate to your hight? I am 6ft tall and weigh 220 lbs. Thank you for the video it has been beyond helpful!
Too easy! I did more than that on day 1 of bootcamp HOOAH!!! Will be applying soon...can't wait to get started! Served in Iraq and ready to serve H-town!
thats way easier than i thought army standards are 10 times harder im ready hpd!
Officer McCOY; I Know that you have a height to weight requirement. Im sitting at 6' and around 280lbs is there any way around this?
6' 280. On occasion, if you are a body builder and you look like you are in great shape and not just overweight, we can send you for a body fat composition test and see where you fall. If you are within 24 percent for males and 34 percent for females, we may allow you to proceed.
Im nervous about my agility test next Thursday Officer McCoy, the push-ups are killing me... any tips on push-ups?
I have a question I'm a US citizen but did not graduate college in the US will this affect my application
I was just wondering what is the time limit for running the 6 laps.
80 seconds
Officer McCoy,
How often does HPD have the academy? Once a year, twice a year? I need to know when the ideal time to submit my application would be! Thanks for the video, very excited!
You can submit your application anytime at www.hpdcareer.com Class numbers vary year to year.
Officer Mc Coy, I hope HPD will raise its age limit and or lower its education requirement to fill patrol posisitions. Do you think if an applicant were pay his way through the academy or reimburse HPD if he did not pass the age and education limits could be eased? Pyhsical ability and desire to serve are an equal value to HPD.
i want to apply...but im just so nervous about the sit ups i can barely do 10 and with a break i can do another set....and i get discouraged
A very important question if you dont have your name the same on your ss# and birth certificate is it a big issue????please help
Officer McCoy, very interested in joining the HPD. Do you have helicopters? :)
I can't wait for the challenge, but right now I have awhile to go. Im in 10th grade, but I believe with the determination and self discipline to get there I will achieve my dream of being a police officer. Thank you, to all police officers for being wonderful role models.
You all are so lucky that you have this PAT test. I'm in WA and I'm so nervous about our PAT. We have to run 1.5 miles in 14:34 or less, 300 meter spring in 75 seconds or less, 35 pushups without stopping, and 38 situps in a minute or under. I would love to be able to take your test.
I really don't think HPD needs to raise their age limit and they certainly shouldn't lower their education standards. Police departments need high standards, otherwise everyone could do it. Things worth having shouldn't be made as easy as possible. But the more educated a police officer is the better.
For pushups, those of you that have trouble, doing just arm workouts isn't all you need to do. You should also do a lot of core workouts so that when you are doing the pushups, your back doesn't cave in and you are able to support your full body weight. For situps, a lot of core workout will also help. During the day, if you can do 3-5 sets of 10-20 pushups and situps separately, then you should be good. After each workout, make sure you have a good amount of protein, to help rebuild your muscles faster.
That sounds like great advise. Thank you.
Officer McCoy, do you have to have a military back ground?
No, I do not, I have been a Houston Police officer since I was 19. However, I have a son who was in the Army and my father was a former Marine.
Thank you for the Video. I was training all wrong running 2 miles a day. After watching the video, I am training to the test. This is very help full.
Age 40
I think that these people just need to apply themselves and to stop being afraid of the test. Six push ups and twenty sit ups is nothing. You people quit being lazy and go pt.
I am 47 years old and know I could pass the physical requirements. Can the age limit of 44 be bypassed?
Unfortunately, no. The age limit is set. However,the Harris County Sheriff's department does not have an age limit. You could check with them.
Mike
not to be rude, but if you chasing a criminal or in physically stressful enviroment, you need to be able to do this fitness test with ease, if you cant do maybe try pt-ing harder or finding a different career path. police officers should be held to high fitness standards they represent the city and need to show a good image
the age limit is their for a reason also their is no need for the city train an officer only able to be on the force a short amount of time, the city needs to get its moneys worth, and the education standards should be high, cops should be smarter than average criminals
Officer McCoy, you mentioned you have been with the houston Police since you were 19, and reading the requirements, they said it was from age 21 to 45, and i want to ask how you joined so early, since i'm 19 and would like to enroll and be a patrol a officer as well
Back when I joined the age limit was 19-34. Now it is 21-44.
Does Houston have any sting operations?
Such as bait cars and etc?
HPD has very large undercover operations with all the bells and whistles that you can think of.
What is the average age for a cadet? I am 42 and thinking of a carrer change.
The average age used to be more consistent a few years ago with the 20-30 range. However, within the last few years the age has increased and we are seeing cadets in their forties quite regularly. Heck 40 is the new 30! At least that is the way I like to think...LOL
Officer McCoy, I have a concern I need your expertise on. The only requirement I am leary about is the education requirements. My college credits are from over 10 yrs ago and im not completely sure if I even had 48+. I have had a very successful (and busy) career climbing the corporate ladder therefore I have not needed to finish college. Recent life experiences(one being HPD saving my life, twice!) have opened my eyes to other paths and I am very passionate about this opportunity. What are some sugestions you may have for someone who has trouble meeting the education requirements and what they can do the quickest way possible??? Thanks, Brandie
Brandie, The good news is that the college requirements were recently reduced from 60 to 48 semester hours. You must have the college hours. From your post, I assume that you have no military or police experience which are the only ways to avoid the college requirement. I suggest you contact the schools that you attended and determine where you stand on your hours. You may be closer than you think. You can attend community college in the evenings to grab the last hours you may need. Please email me your story regarding your comment that HPD saved your life twice. I would like to read about it. My email is officermccoy@gmail.com
Officer McCoy, I have a question regarding how much consideration is given to out of state applicants? Also, would it be best for me to get a firearms license in the state in which I reside now? I am very willing to travel to Houston for interviews, testing, etc., and relocate to the Houston area. I do have friends in Houston so I would have an immediate place to reside. Thank You.
Having a firearms license will not help you become a police officer with Houston. As far as out of state consideration, the applicant pool is strong and the academy classes are few. When we conduct an out of state background, we complete one of the most thorough investigations possible. We talk with your friends, neighbors and employers. With the lack of classes due to budget constraints and the overwhelming support of local applicants, out of state backgrounds are not being conducted at this time. Hopefully in the future things will change and we will begin to hire from out of state again.
Officer McCoy are there any slots open for the 2011 classes or are they both full? By the way this is a great blog, great job keeping up with it.
i have a question, i'm mid 30's and my wife and i have been running our own business since i was 23, i understand that during a background check, HPD will call on employers....i've never had an employer before, i've only worked at 1 place when i was in high school..would the lack of employment reference hurt my chance of joining houston pd?
thank you
hi how are you sir. I am currently a police officer for the miami dade police department and i am planning on moving to texas by the end of next year. i have been an officer for about 3 years now and i was curious do i have to go through the whole entire academy over again or lateral like we do down here and how long is the academy there cause over here it is 8-9 months. i just wanted some general information. Will being an officer w/experience help my chances with the hiring process. thank you and stay safe out there.
Lack of employment references will not hinder your application.
We do appreciate your experience, however you will have to attend our full academy.
I have an advance TCLEOSE certification and will receive my master in April. I have worked in Texas (Houston suburb) for almost 4 years and 10 total years experience with a Bachelors. If I applied would I lateral or complete the entire academy? If I lateral, how long is it? Thank you
Yes, you will have to receive the best training any police academy could ever give you. The academy is six months long.
Do you live onsite at the academy? what's it like being there? I just watched a few of the videos, so cool! What time do you have to be up each day? What time do you leave the academy each day? Basically, what are the hours and days at the academy? I'm so excited about going to the academy. I just recently took the physical agility test and passed it. Is there a site where I can get more information about the academy?
You do not live at the academy. You attend each day as though you were going to college. Roll call starts at 0630 and your day ends around 1630. Sometimes your shift will change depending on the training schedule and what you will be doing on that particular day. You have weekends off and holidays during the academy.
How strict are you for the credit check?
I want to sign up for (hpd) Correction Officer!! First I need my (GED) then take Intro Criminal Justice's class! What else? Help me please?
On credit, you must show responsibilty to your creditors. You must have paid them off or on a payment plan that is established. We are not looking for a score, just making sure that you have made arrangements with your creditors that is suitable.
You must have a GED or High School Diploma to become an HPD JAILER. You may check the civilian employment website or call 713-308-9000 to see if opportunities are available.
hi i was wonderering if you go attend the hpd academy and complete it do you have an obligation to join hpd or do you have the option to join another local police dept. such as sugarland, missouri city etc. ?
THANK YOU
Senior Officer McCoy,
I am Active Duty Army stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. How early in relation to my ETS date may I apply for HPD? Also, would HPD be willing to work with me for completing all the prerequisites for the hiring process? I had planned to complete all required exams, tests, and/or additional requirements, after I had returned to the Houston Area, and on Terminal leave. Thank you for your time and service.
I would suggest that you apply at least six months in advance.
Yes, the HPD Academy is to become a Houston Police officer.
Hi SR. Officer McCoy,
I'm really looking forward to become a HPD officer this something have been looking forward even before i started college. Rigth now i'm attending college i graduate on January/2012. Hopefully by then HPD will be taking applications. Can you tell me more about the T.C.L.E.O.S.E? Is this something i have to have before applying to HPD? Can you please let me know what kind of requirements i should have before applying??
Thank you for your time :)
No you do not have to have the TCLEOSE before joining HPD.
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