Patrol Officer Recruiting and Selection Process
Application Process:
Applicants must complete both sides and sign the Request to Test form and submit it to the department by mail or in person. The form can be downloaded online, obtained at the Anchorage Police Department’s main station (4501 Elmore Rd). Applicants who meet the minimum established standards will be mailed an Applicant Instruction Letter which includes information about the testing process.
Selection Process:
The selection process consists of the following steps:
- Written testing
- Physical Agility Test
- Preliminary Interview
- Psychological Assessment
- Polygraph
- Background Investigation
- Medical Assessment
- Chief’s Selection
- Drug Screen
1. Entry Level Written Testing
The first segment of the selection process is a series of entry-level tests. All tests are scored on a pass/fail basis. The applicant must meet the minimum passing score on each test segment to be invited to the Physical Agility Test.
- Nelson-Denny Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension Test: The applicant is tested for vocabulary, reading and comprehension skills. This is a two-part test.
- Video Test: This is a video based multiple choice testing format in which applicants view typical situations they may face on the job, observe the elements present, analyze them and make a quick judgment about how to respond. Entry Level Study Guide.
- Incident Observation and Report Writing Test: The applicant is shown a brief job-related video and asked to write an incident observation report.
2. Physical Ability Test
Applicants who successfully complete the entry level written tests will be invited back for the Physical Ability Test. Successful completion of the Physical Ability Test is required before continuing forward to additional steps.
Anchorage Police Department’s Physical Ability Test is short and intense and you must be in good physical shape to pass. All applicants must submit a completed Certificate of Physical Fitness Form signed by a physician in order to be eligible to participate in the test.
The test will consist of the following events:
- Grip Strength: Using a hand dynamometer the applicant must be able to achieve at least 70lbs of pressure when squeezing the dynamometer.
- Pushups: 24 push-ups, no time limit.
- Sit-ups: 32 sit-ups in 60 seconds.
- Bend, Twist and Touch: Applicant stands with their back to the wall, bends down, touches an "X" on the floor between their feet, rises, twists to the left and touches the "X" on the wall behind the applicant (this counts as one cycle). The applicant then bends back down, touches the “X” on the floor, rises, twists to the right and touches the "X" on the wall behind them (counts as the second cycle). Applicant must complete a total of at least 15 cycles in 20 seconds.
- 100 yard dash: Must be completed within 19 seconds.
- 1 mile run: Must be completed within 10 minutes and 49 seconds.
Click to view physical test video
3. The Preliminary Interview
Applicants who are carried forward from the Physical Agility Test will be given a “Conditional Offer of Employment”.
The preliminary interview is a structured interview focused on behavior relevant to the essential job elements required for the position of Patrol Officer. A Background Specialist will assess the applicant’s interview skills, employment history, driving history, illegal substance abuse history and other relevant information, and determine if the applicant meets Anchorage Police Department standards.
4. Psychological Assessment
All applicants who have received a Conditional Offer of Employment and have successfully met established standards will be invited to take the Psychological Examination and interview with a State of Alaska licensed psychologist.
5. Polygraph Examination
All applicants will be required to submit to a Polygraph Examination.
6. Background Investigation
The Background Investigation is a critical examination of an applicant’s past work and personal history. The investigation consists of:
- Criminal and civil history checks
- Military records
- Driving history checks
- Credit history checks
- Interviews with:
- Spouses/significant others
- Employers
- Coworkers
- Neighbors
- Secondary developed references
7. Medical Assessment
Applicants who receive a Conditional Offer of Employment and successfully complete the other stages of the selection process will be required to submit to a medical examination by a licensed physician approved by the Department and the Municipality. The physician shall determine if the applicant is physically sound and free from physical defects that would adversely affect the performance of duties required by a patrol officer.
8. Chief’s Selection
A Background Specialist will present a list of all applicants who have passed all phases of testing, and who have met all of the Anchorage Police Department’s standards for employment. The final hiring decision is made solely by the Chief of Police.
9. Drug Screen
All applicants will be required to provide a sample to screen for drugs.