Recruit Physical Training
Program open to SALETC recruits, law enforcement, military personnel and their families.
Goal: To bring SALETC recruits to a level of fitness that will allow them to perform at or above the 50th percentile standards on the Cooper's Physical Fitness Test and receive exemplary marks on the required POPAT.
You have invested a great amount of time and effort to be at the academy so do not let poor physical fitness stop you from achieving your dream. You will go through the required tests during the training session so your first day at the academy will not be a surprise. Our training program strictly follows the TPD's requirements and includes training days at the SALETC. Dozens of recruits have joined our group in the past and have all successfully graduated!
"Good physical fitness is essential to the success of any recruit entering a law
enforcement training program. Developing good exercise habits now, promotes health, stress
reduction, and enhances readiness required for today's law enforcement recruits."
— Captain R. Harper, Tucson Police Department
Methods
Recruits will be required to follow a six to eight week training program consisting of three available workouts per week. Each workout will consist of cardiovascular conditioning, strength training (including calisthenics, agility training, and dynamic body movement), injury prevention education, and stretching. Additionally, recruits will be advised on proper nutrition, gear selection, hydration, and rest and recovery. The training program will include optional cross-training activities such as hiking, rock climbing, swimming, and participation in local endurance events. Finally, recruits will run through the Cooper's Test and the POPAT three times throughout the program (beginning, middle, and end) to track progress, as well as weekly fitness tests to track improvement. See coaches' bios.
Cost
$100 (you will receive training apparel, discounted training shoes, performance nutrition and 8 weeks of small group training)
Training Outline
Week one:
Recruits will be introduced to the program. We will spend time reviewing test requirements, injury and over-training prevention, proper nutrition and hydration, and expectations. Additionally, recruits will run through the Cooper's Test and POPAT for the first time. All results will be recorded and saved for future reference.
Week two:
Recruits will begin base-line training, focusing on correct form and basic ability. We will start with one to two mile pace runs (maintaining a steady pace without walking or stopping), dynamic stretching, and basic strength conditioning (i.e. push-ups, sit ups, squats and jumps, and other basic movements targeting the core muscle groups).
Week three:
Recruits will add agility training to the base-strength workouts. They will run short obstacle courses, dodging drills, and 360 degree speed and stability movements (forward and backward, side to side, etc). Core strength and joint stability will be emphasized as well.
Week four:
Recruits will add sprint drills along with the longer runs. This will increase speed and endurance on both sprint and distance-length runs. We will also increase the intensity of strength and agility training.
Week five:
Recruits will re-test the Cooper's Test and the POPAT. The rest of the week will focus on skill and muscle maintenance. We will not increase intensity or duration during this week so as to give the body some active recovery. Alternative cross-training exercise will be emphasized this week.
Week six:
Recruits will be able to complete a steadily-paced 3 mile run, followed by two full obstacle courses; one individual and one team. This is a more dynamic form of strength conditioning that will emphasize physical achievement with realistic body movements. Courses will include both power and endurance components.
Week seven:
Each recruit will create and implement one skill, strength, or endurance task for the group to perform. This will promote leadership, responsibility, and accountability, as well as a good team dynamic.
Week eight:
Recruits will be tested one last time on the Cooper's test and POPAT standards. All participants will receive information on how to maintain physical fitness after completing the Recruit Training Program and the Police Academy. Recruits will feel confident of their skills and achievements entering the academy. Each participants will know exactly how they will be tested physically, how to approach it, and their personal ability to achieve standards exceeding the minimum requirements.