All successful law enforcement officers are required to perform satisfactorily on tests of physical fitness. Physical fitness is key to an officer’s ability to apprehend suspects, cope effectively with long work shifts, interact with uncooperative individuals, and recover from injuries that may occur in the line of duty. After a serious accident, law enforcement officers that are physically fit have a greater chance of returning to duty. Some physical abilities, such as using firearms, are not often used in the line of duty. The fact that some abilities are not used daily does not diminish their importance.
