Re-Evaluation of the Physical Abilities Readiness Evaluation
1
2
G. Anderson and D. Plecas
1Justice Institute of British Columbia 2University of the Fraser Valley

suggest agreement with the obstacle portion with over 85%
Regular members’ ratings of the ability of individual
elements of the obstacle portion of the PARE to realistically finding the run relevant or very relevant (R/VR), and the length
represent the tasks required of police officers in the field. appropriate. SMEs were in agreement with 94.7% rating length as
very relevant or relevant.
Too…
Percentage of responses
Too…
Controlled falls (following the vaults): 80.0% of respondents
The matt jumps
Short
2.2 13.3 73.9
7.9
2.8 Long
The stairs
Few
3.4 17.1
71.2 6.6
1.7 Many
reported the controlled falls to be R/VR, although 17.3%
The low hurdles
Low
2.7 14.9 76.8
4.5
1.1 High
suggested modifying this element. In the open comments, 30.1%
The vault
Low
4.5 16.1 74.8
3.6
1.1 High
of all those responding (n=156) suggested deleting the controlled
The controlled falls Few
0.8 10.5
70.7 11.5 6.5 Many
falls, while 42.2% of the SMEs reported the controlled falls to be
The run length
Short
3.9 13.9 74.2
6.2
1.8 Long
irrelevant or very irrelevant (I/VI).
Subject Matter Experts’ ratings of the ability of individual
Height
of
the
barrier:
In
the
PARE,
the
height
of
the
barrier
is
set
elements of the obstacle portion of the PARE to realistically
at
0.9
m
(3
feet).
Presently,
82.2%
of
respondents
suggest
represent the tasks required of police officers in the field.
retaining the barrier, although 20.6% suggest the barrier was
Too…
Percentage of responses
Too…
lower
than
it
should
be.
SMEs
report
the
barrier
to
be
relevant,
The matt jumps
Short
5.3 10.5
84.2
Long
This research project consisted of three distinct phases: 1.
although 52.6% suggest that it is too low.
The stairs
Few
16.7
83.3
Many
instrument development; 2. subject matter experts and
The low hurdles
Low
16.7
83.3
High
Push/Pull
section.
The
‘fight
segment’
of
the
PARE
lasts
instrument modification; and, 3. incumbent survey.
The vault
Low
10.5 42.1
47.4
High
approximately
70
seconds
(25
seconds
for
each
of
the
push
and
The controlled falls Few
5.6
5.6
50.0 22.2 16.7 Many
Following instrument development, 20 subject matter
pull,
and
20
seconds
for
the
controlled
falls),
and
while
longer
The
run
length
Short
15.8
78.9
5.3
1.8
Long
experts (SMEs who were Division Fitness and Lifestyle
than
the
average
encounter,
is
well
within
the
realm
of
possibility.
Advisors) completed the survey and their feedback was then Regular members’ ratings of the ability of individual elements
Respondents
(84.5%)
report
this
item
to
be
relevant
of
very
used as a basis for discussion and revision of the instrument. of the push/pull portion of the PARE to realistically represent
relevant,
while
SMES
were
overwhelming
in
support.
Surveys were distributed to a representative sample of
the tasks required of police officers in the field.
The controlled falls (between the push and pull activities): While
RCMP members across Canada immediately after they
Too…
Percentage of responses
Too…
offering some face validity, as a police officer could very well fall
completed their PARE. There was a 96% response rate with
The push segment Light
2.3 19.7
70.6
5.6 1.8 Heavy
during the apprehension of a suspect, as part of tussle, or in
844 completed surveys being returned.
The pull segment
Light
3.3 21.8
69.9
5.3
0.8 Heavy
gaining control or fighting with a suspect, both SMEs and
The controlled falls Few
1.2 13.4
69.4
11.1 4.8 Many
Questionnaires were distributed to each region of Canada
respondents were critical of this element.
The duration
Long
1.6 14.1
79.1
4.4 0.8 Short
based on the number of members serving in the region.
The resistance for the push/pull section: Present data supports
Overall, the regular members surveyed are considered to be Subject Matter Experts’ ratings of the ability of individual
the mass encountered in the push and pull segments. Within the
a good cross-section of RCMP members from across the
elements of the push/pull portion of the PARE to realistically present 95.7% were in reasonable agreement with the weight
country including 11.2% from the Atlantic Region, 28.3%
represent the tasks required of police officers in the field.
while 87% suggest retaining these elements. The SMEs were
from the Central, 27.3% from the Mid-West and 32.1% from
overwhelming in support of retaining the push and pull, with no
Too…
Percentage
of
responses
Too…
the Pacific Region.
single entry suggesting the elements were I/VI.
The push segment Light
22.2
77.8
- Heavy
Results:
The pull segment Light
27.8
72.2
- Heavy
Conclusion
The controlled falls Few
5.9
64.7 23.5 5.9 Many
Of the 844 completed surveys returned 15% were female,
Current data provides strong support for the present
and 85% male. Age distribution included 18.6% in the 20-29 Discussion:
configuration in the PARE. While consideration should be given to
year old range, 39.6% in the 30-39, 33.7% in the 40-49 and
the enhancement of the PARE, the current and previous task
Length
of
the
course:
The
obstacle
portion
of
the
PARE
takes
8.7% in the over 50 range.
approximately 25 seconds per lap for a total of 2 minutes and analysis do support the test in its actual format and
st
representative
or
very
representative
of
police
work
in
the
21
30 seconds, covering 340 meters. Member responses
century.
While police work is primarily sedentary, police officers are
required to frequently engage in near maximal workloads for
short periods of time during incidents of a critical nature.
The Physical Activities Requirement Evaluation (PARE) was
designed as a physical employment standard in 1988 for the
RCMP. To examine the elements of the PARE that are most
related to the role of police officers in the field, the present
study surveyed a group of subject matter experts, and the
incumbents concerning the present elements embedded
within the PARE, and potential changes that could be made
to improve the extent to which the PARE reflected the true
physical requirements of police work.
Methods:

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