CRESTVIEW — Running, jumping walls and hurdles, crawling under piping and dragging a 150-pound dummy are all part of the Crestview Police Department’s obstacle course for applicants. Participants must complete the course in less than six minutes, four seconds to be considered for an interview.
Eight applicants attempted the course on Wednesday, accompanied by a journalist. Immersion is a tool for understanding, and that’s why I accepted the challenge to complete the physical exam.
The course began in front of a squad car with seatbelt buckled, key in the ignition and hands on the wheel. Applicants exited the vehicle and used the key to open the trunk and retrieve a pistol and flashlight.
The pistol was empty and had to be placed on a nearby chair; the flashlight remained in hand throughout the course.
After a 200-yard run, applicants climbed a wall and leaped over several shorter obstacles. Next, a serpentine run was performed and hurdles were crawled under. Then, one of the more difficult parts — the dummy drag.
The dummy weighed about 150 pounds and had to be dragged 100 feet. After completing the several preceding tasks, the drag put additional strain on the legs.
“The dummy was hard but you have to bring it to your arms and then your chest to take the weight off your legs,” applicant Travis Nilsen said.
Once the dummy was dragged, the course had to be run again — in reverse — followed by another 200-yard run.
The course concluded by “firing” six shots from the empty pistol with each hand, placing the gun and flashlight in the trunk and returning to the vehicle. Time was stopped after the seatbelt was fastened, the key was in the ignition and hands were on the wheel.
“Pacing and focusing on each obstacle was the most important part,” applicant Sarah Pember said.
Pember and Nilsen completed the course in the allotted time. Only one applicant failed to complete the course within limit but she did complete it, which is important, according to CPD Cmdr. Andrew Schneider.
“If they don’t do it in time but finish, they’re welcome back to come back and attempt again when we do the training,” Schneider said. “If they quit out there, then they’re done.”
Interviews with Chief Tony Taylor and his command staff are arranged with passing applicants. While the course is a step in the recruitment process, it’s not the only thing CPD seeks in potential officers, Schneider said.
“We look for people with a ‘Type A’ personality that can communicate with people in their community,” Schneider said. “Some people just want to be behind a badge and those aren’t the people we’re looking for.”
“The desire to help others and contributing to the community is why I want to [join law enforcement],” applicant Jesse Rosier said, adding he wants to serve in whatever way possible.
Fellow applicants shared similar sentiments.
Nilsen hopes to give back to younger generations in a way he believes older generations gave to him.
“I want to make a difference; I want to make the world a better place,” Pember said. “I just want to help the people around me.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Police hopefuls test skills