WPS-PAT

Today I went to the police academy and did the WPS-PAT (Winnipeg Police Service Physical Abilities Test) which my mentor arranged for me to do with the fitness coordinator.
The test consists of running 400 meters (1/4 mile) over a 6 lap course. This includes running up/down stairs, and jumping over hurdles. After the 6 laps, there is a push/pull station where you push and pull against a 80 pound resistance while moving back and forth in a controlled circle. After this station comes the non-timed station where you lift and carry 80 pounds for 50 feet.
In order to pass you have to do it in 4 minutes and 15 seconds, but I did it in 4 minutes and 35 seconds, meaning I failed by 20 seconds. The hardest part of the whole run was doing the push station because I had slippery shoes on and its harder to push weight than to pull it.
I had a fun time trying to do the WPS-PAT and I learned that police officers have to do it every year. Those who are new have to do it in order to get a raise and those who have been working for more than a few years get 20 hours of extra time off work.

Meeting with my mentor

I met with my mentor, a Constable and another police Constable a week or two ago and I asked them some questions. A few of the things that i asked and their answers (in short form) are:
1. When you first get the job, what do you usually do?
        -You usually do about six months of desk work, then you get put in a cruiser.
2. What are some of the differences of being a female police officer?
        -There aren't really any differences anymore, unless you count females needing to be home to raise their families more than males. They have slowly changed over time, for example: there can now be two females in a car together when before a female had to be with a male.
3. What should i take in college to raise my chances of becoming a police officer?
        -You should take whatever courses you are interested in. They mainly want to see that you will try your best and accomplish your goals.

They gave me a few papers about applying and training. I will soon post a picture of the training papers on my Photos and Videos page. It mainly says to do a 5-10 minute warmup, a 10 minute workout (half hard, and half easy), a 5 minute cool down, and a 5 minute stretch, equalling a 30 minute workout. I am going to try to do this workout 2-3 times a week.

They also told me about the Winnipeg Police Service Physical Abilities Test (WPS-PAT). This test is designed to have you demonstrate that you have the minimum ability to perform the physical duties that is associated with this occupation by assessing your ability to:

• Attend to a problem quickly.
• Deal with the problem physically.
• Remove the problem.

The test consists of:

• Running 400 metres (1/4 mile) over a six lap course. This includes climbing up and down stairs, jumping over low obstacles.
• Following the six laps the applicant moves to the push/pull station where they will pull and push against 80 lbs of resistance while moving in a controlled half circle. Two controlled falls to the chest (roll over to the front and stand) are completed after each group of three pulls or three pushes. This sequence is repeated twice.
• Following the push/pull station the applicant completes the test by lifting and carrying 80 lbs a distance of 50 feet.
• The WPS-PAT test must be completed within 4 minutes and 15 seconds.
• Applicants must produce an Original Certificate of the WPS-PAT as provided by the contractor for the Winnipeg Police Service.