REGINA — As of April 1, 2024, RCMP cadets and officers have a new fitness test designed to better meet the demands of the job.
While the former Physical Abilities Requirements Evaluation, known commonly as the PARE, served the RCMP for decades, physical employment fitness standards have evolved. In order to adapt to current needs, the new Police Fitness Assessment (PFA) was developed in consultation with police officers.
"The assessments address skill-specific components related to the health and fitness of the individual," says Sergeant Chris Scott, who works with the Occupational Skills Maintenance Unit responsible for delivering mandatory training to officers. "The PFA aims to empower employees in the pursuit of health and fitness for duty." Scott's unit incorporated the PFA into the existing mandatory skill renewal course—referred to as block training—that officers must complete every three years in order to stay current on various tactical skills.
The PFA measures the ability to perform four key tasks for police duty including:
- Foot pursuit
- Physical control test
- Emergency assistance
- High-priority tasks
Each assessment replicates common and physically-demanding tasks that can occur in general duty policing. The new test was first launched at Depot—the RCMP's training academy—in May 2023. To date, 1,000 officers across Canada have been PFA-tested.
There are two components of the PFA: the gold-standard and the field test.
Cadets at Depot must take the gold standard test before graduating. This test component mirrors the operational field experience officers can expect on duty. Since its launch a year ago, more than 200 cadets have graduated after being tested against it.
Officers are required to take the second component, the field test, every three years after graduation from Depot. This test can be performed at various locations, as needed.
"The field test is more portable and more efficient," says Marie-Pier Ricard, a national fitness and health promotion advisor with the RCMP. "Unlike the PARE process, instead of travelling for testing, officers can take the test at their local detachment."
Officers say that the PFA is more functional and streamlined for job-specific fitness standards.
"Preparing for the PARE, I would have a lot of anxiety with respect to an increased potential for injury," says Scott. "The PFA induces less anxiety and allows for more effort toward skill-specific tasks. It also allowed me more recovery time to perform the segments of the PFA at maximum effort."
To address the range of feelings and interests surrounding the new test, there are opportunities for officers to try it out through block training. The PFA is also modernizing to focus on individualized fitness programs that will ensure officers are able to meet their fitness goals.
Fitness and health promotion advisors are on site during testing to help participants succeed in their assessment, and officers are being given opportunities to get familiar with the test ahead of their official assessment.
"We offer individualized fitness programs to ensure a passing score," says Chelsea Gervan, another RCMP fitness and health promotion advisor.
Adapting the program
The PFA has now been fully implemented and it will be closely monitored in the first year to assess compliance and performance. Regional fitness and health advisors will regularly share feedback from officers to the National Fitness Team, so the test may be streamlined over the long term.
With its first year in full swing, divisions are ready to purchase equipment, to train fitness coordinators, and to start building capacity through the block training program.
"We expect an adventurous first year," says Leslie Frei, the national fitness and health promotion manager. "And we're ready to respond, adapt, and provide updates wherever needed."
