Recruitment for new police officers and other public safety personnel has its challenges every step of the way, from advertising the open positions to selecting the candidates that will go on to the recruit training academy. In addition to the skills they will learn in training, successful recruits need to have certain characteristics that encompass both physical and psychological attributes.

An applicant must be able to perform the demanding work of law enforcement—from the clearly physical activities such as restraining offenders, foot pursuit, and wielding a firearm to the less obvious stress factors that result from the job’s very nature. Fitness can be developed, but medical issues such as cardiovascular disease, blood disorders, seizures, substance abuse, and vision problems, to name a few, can restrict a person’s ability to perform the duties required of police officers.