Introduction

Students must meet each standard or they will not be allowed to attend or audit Academy classes. Please read the instructions below carefully, as the fitness tests must be administered exactly as required (by the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy/NMDPS).

Students should refrain from smoking, chewing tobacco or eating for two hours before the test and should stretch before and after each exercise to help prevent injuries.

The following physical fitness standards were adopted by the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board and are effective as of January 2015.

Upper Body Strength – Pushups

1 Minute Maximum Number of Pushups

 

Entrance Requirements for all males and females (all ages):

Minimum: 15

Exit (at completion of academy):

Minimum: 25

For all applicants: the hands are placed about shoulder width apart. The test administrator or assistant places a fist (3 inches is height requirement) on the ground below the applicant’s chest (male applicants only) or comparable in height, a three inch box for females. Starting from the ‘up’ position (elbows fully extended), the applicant must keep their back straight at all times and lower their body toward the floor until the chest touches the administrator’s fist or the box (females). The applicant then returns to the ‘up’ position. That is one push up. Resting is only allowed in the “up” position. If the knees, legs or any part of the body, drops to the floor, the testing ends at that point.

Muscular Endurance – Sit-Ups

1 Minute Maximum Number of Sit-Ups

 

Entrance Requirements for all males and females (all ages):

Minimum: 27

Exit (at completion of academy):

Minimum: 37

For all applicants: The applicant starts by lying on their back with knees bent (approx. 45 degrees), heels flat on the floor, fingers interlaced and placed behind the head. A partner holds their feet down firmly. In the “up” position, the applicant should touch their elbows to their knees and then return until the shoulder blades touch the floor. Resting must be done in the “up” position. Not touching elbows to knees, or not keeping your fingers interlaced behind your head, or not touching you shoulder blades, will not count as a sit-up.

Aerobic Power – 1.5 Mile Run

Entrance Requirements for all males and females (all ages):

Minimum time: 15:54 minutes

Exit (at completion of academy):

Minimum time: 14:15 minutes

These runs are timed by stopwatch on a smooth, level track

Anaerobic Power – 300 Meters

Entrance Requirements for all males and females (all ages):

Minimum time: 71.0 seconds (one minute 11 seconds)

Exit (at completion of academy):

Minimum time: 64.0 seconds (one minute 4 seconds)

These runs are timed by stopwatch on a smooth, level track.