Stage 3 – Police Fitness Assessment (PFA)

The Police Fitness Assessment (PFA) is used to assess the physical abilities associated with law enforcement training and duties. It replaces the former Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE) test.

The PFA is is a series of tasks that represent scenarios encountered by police officers. Police work can be both physically and mentally challenging. It is imperative that officers maintain a healthy and active lifestyle to ensure their ability to perform their duties safely and efficiently is never compromised.

What is the PFA?

The PFA is a series of fitness tests designed to reflect the physical tasks encountered in police work. This could include foot pursuits, physically controlling an uncooperative or resistant subject, providing emergency assistance, rescuing people, or attending a high priority call that involves wearing or carrying extra equipment.

The tests simulate scenarios where a police officer must:

  • Get to the site of an incident or problem
  • Physically resolve the problem
  • Remove a person or material from the site

^ Top of Page

What components make up the PFA?

The test begins with a mandatory group warm-up that the administrator will complete with all participants. There will also be additional time given for independent warm-up.

The PFA includes:

  • A 500m run that includes one direction change
  • Fourteen 40lb sandbag lifts to a 1.4m max height with side shuffles between lifts
  • Three alternating loaded runs carrying 80lbs over 50m
  • 10lb seated wall ball throw over a minimum distance of 2.8m

Groups will complete one task at a time and then move on to the next task once all are finished. The PFA Administrator will explain and demonstrate each task before beginning. There is also an opportunity to try each task before assessment begins.

^ Top of Page

Preparing to take the PFA

Successful completion of the PFA requires a combination of anaerobic fitness, cardiovascular endurance, and muscular strength and endurance. To adequately prepare to take the PFA, the RNC encourages all applicants to take part in some type of training program and to strive for an average, to above average, level of fitness prior to attempting the test. The RNC recommends being physically active for at least 4-6 weeks (3-5 days of cardio training per week at a moderate to vigorous level) prior to taking the PFA.

Always consult with your physician prior to undertaking any training program.

The RNC offers pre-PFA sessions designed to familiarize applicants with the layout of the test and use of proper techniques that will increase an applicants’ ability to meet the requirements. Participants will be permitted to run a portion of the PFA but not the full test. Attendance at a pre-PFA session is optional and does not guarantee success on testing day.

If pre-test heart rate is above 99bpm and/or pre-test blood pressure is above 160/90 mmHG, a test may be postponed. Additionally, if there are any significant changes in your health, you have a new illness or injury, or are taking any new medications on a regular basis since obtaining medical clearance, your test may be postponed to consult with a medical professional prior to completing the PFA.

^ Top of Page

What is the RNC’s PFA standard?

To be considered by the RNC, applicants have:

  • 2:30 mins to complete the foot pursuit scenario
  • 3:40 mins for the emergency assistance scenario

The physical control scenario is not timed.

^ Top of Page

PFA Documents

Applicants who are successful beyond the initial screening stage will be assigned a PFA date and time.

Applicants should ensure they complete and bring the following forms on their PFA testing day. Your PFA cannot commence if the forms below are not completed. These forms will also be forwarded to the applicant via email when provided a testing date and time.

*The Medical Clearance Form must be signed and dated by a physician or nurse practitioner. This clearance is valid for one year prior to your PFA date, unless there has been a change in your medical status. Do not submit these forms with your application. Once you receive notification of your PFA date from the Recruiting Office, you should make an appointment with your clinician within 30 days of your PFA date.*

^ Top of Page

TIPS for taking the PFA

  • Wear comfortable active wear that will not restrict your freedom to move or weigh you down
  • Wear running shoes with soles that grip
  • Abstain from smoking for at least two hours prior to your test
  • Abstain from caffeine products for at least two hours prior to your test
  • Abstain from the use of short acting bronchodilators for at least two hours prior to your test
  • Abstain from alcohol for at least six hours prior to your test
  • Abstain from using any stimulants for at least 24 hours (ie ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedra, etc.) prior to your test
  • Abstain from any vigorous exercise within 24 hours of your test

^ Top of Page

Stage 2Stage 4