Oregon Police Academy Requirements
Joining a police academy is a milestone on the path to becoming a police officer. The Oregon police academy requirements are intended to set a high standard for potential officers. Below are all the requirements and disqualifying factors. Be aware that there is a lot of competition for police jobs so going above the minimum requirements is advised. Oregon police academy requirements consist of, in part, the following:
Age Requirement
Oregon police academy age requirements state that applicants must a minimum 21 years of age. Applicants may complete an application and proceed in the hiring process at 20 years of age if they will be 21 by the starting date of the next academy class.
Residency and Citizenship Requirement
Applicants must be a resident of Oregon and possess a valid Oregon driver’s license upon appointment as a State Police Cadet.
Applicants must be a United States citizen at the time of initial application.
Educational Requirement
Oregon Police Academy requirements for education state that the applicants must possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) time of application. Correspondence or mail-order high school diplomas are not accepted.
All military veterans must have an HONORABLE DISCHARGE documented by a DD-214.
Automatic Disqualification Factors
Applicants are advised that the Oregon State Police will automatically disqualify any applicant who does not meet the general requirements as detailed below. In addition, the following information is provided regarding our criteria for automatic disqualification:
- Falsification, omission, or misrepresentation of any information during the completion of the Polygraph Screening Booklet, the Polygraph Examination, the Formal Application for Employment, and any other documents/processes associated with the Cadet Selection Procedures.
- Substance abuse/use within a prescribed time frame and/or that is beyond what is considered experimental by the Oregon State Police.
- Criminal arrests/behavior which would not reflect well on the Oregon State Police.
The core purpose of the Oregon State Police is to seek justice, preserve peace, and improve the quality of life for all. As such, the Department has established the core values of Honor, Service, Integrity, Respect, Trust, Courage, and Duty, and is seeking applicants who possess these traits and conduct themselves accordingly. Certain issues within a person’s background have been identified which will result in automatic disqualification, including but not limited to: criminal conduct (actual arrest and/or admission of behavior whether or not arrested) and substance abuse.
A preliminary determination will be made by the Oregon State Police based upon information supplied; therefore, applicants must be forthright and honest in documenting their conduct. Be advised that this preliminary determination is not binding as it is made based upon information provided by the applicant only. Should an applicant continue in the selection process, the conduct will then be discussed and documented with a Oregon State Police Officer.
Applicants are advised that all information provided to the Oregon State Police is to contain no misrepresentation, falsification, omissions, or concealment of material fact and that, upon submission of any official document (on-line or otherwise), applicants swear or affirm that all information provided is true, complete, and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief. Applicants are further advised that all information provided is subject to later investigation.
Physical Abilities Test
ORPAT
The Oregon Physical Abilities Test (ORPAT) is a hybrid physical ability-job sample physical ability
assessment process designed to evaluate entry level police officer candidates on the essential physical
capacities required to satisfactory perform their job duties. ORPAT was originally based on data taken
from the Canadian RCMP PARE research and tests as well as multiple Job Task Analysis (JTA’s) for the
Oregon police, and corrections officers.
ORPAT was designed to replicate critical and essential physical tasks and demands faced by police officers
in the normal performance of their duties. Both specific tasks and overall physical demands are replicated
in the ORPAT through the use of a carefully designed and validated, times “obstacle course.”
Part One-Mobility Run
The ORPAT consist of a 1235-foot obstacle run where the officer must demonstrate essential, job related
physical abilities such as mobility, agility, flexibility, power and general physical endurance.
1. From the course start cone the officer runs to the outside of the marked course towards the first
obstacle the balance beam. The officer must cross the beam in a controlled manner. If the officer
falls off the beam the officer must go back to the start cone and renegotiate the beam.
2. The officer goes around the next cone and turns right running towards the second obstacle, the
officer must jump across a five foot obstacle (mat). The officer must successfully get all the way
across the five foot jump. If the officer hits any part of the five foot mat the first penalty is free
the second one is a 5 second penalty.
3. The officer goes around the next cone and turns left running towards the third obstacle, the stair
simulator. The officer must run up and down the stairs hitting at least two steps on the way up and
two steps on the way down. The officer will go around the cone at the bottom of the stairs and go
back up and down the stairs. The officer must not jump from the top platform. If this occurs the
officer will repeat that portion of the stairs.
4. The officer will turn right and proceed onto the forth obstacle, the crawl obstacle. The officer will
crawl under this obstacle touching at least one knee on the mat. The officer must not knock over
or carry this obstacle. If the officer carries or knocks over the crawl obstacle the first one is free
the second one is a 2 second penalty.
5. The officer will go around the next cone and turn left and run towards the next two identical
obstacles, 18 inch high hurdles. The officer must jump over the center of each obstacle. If the
officer knocks over one of these obstacles the first one is free and the second one is a two second
penalty.
6. The officer will go around the next cone and turn right and runs towards the next obstacle and
vault over a 3-foot high railing simulating a fence. The officer will land on both feet in control on
the opposite side of the vault obstacle, fall to their back or stomach (alternating on each lap)
recover to their feet without mechanical assistance and proceed around the start cone before
beginning the second lap. Six laps are completed in this manner.
Part Two-Push Pull Machine
Push Activity
After completing the obstacle run the officer moves to the mechanical push/pull station, consisting
of a push-pull unit and a line on the wall 39” from the floor. Reaching the push-pull machine after
completing the sixth lap of the obstacle course should not take more that five seconds.
Upon reaching the push-pull unit the officer grasps the machine handles and pushes 80lbs off the
floor, then moves left to right completing a 180-degree arc. Six complete arcs must be executed
by bringing the bar parallel with the base of the machine. The officer must remain in control of
the machine throughout the activity.
The officer’s chest may not touch the lever arm. Arms must remain bent at the elbow throughout
the performance of the activity.
Controlled Falls
Once the push activity is completed the weight is released, again while maintaining control at all
times. The officer moves away from the unit, falls on his/her back executes a sit-up like
maneuver, rising to a standing position touching the marked line on the wall 39 inches from the
floor. The officer will then repeat this fall to their back. The officer then executes a third fall to
their stomach executing a push-up like movement and stands up touching the marked line. The
officer will repeat this fall to their stomach. This sequence is repeated twice, (4 falls, 2 back, 2
front). The officer cannot use the wall for assistance to help them to the standing position.
Pull Activity
When the forth fall is completed the officer grasps the rope and pulls the weight off the floor.
Maintaining the weight in this position, the officer moves through an arc 180 degrees by bringing
the bar parallel to the base of the machine. This action is repeated six times. The officer must
remain in control at all times and their elbows must remain flexed.
Part Three-“Dummy” Drag
After a 60-second rest period subsequent to completing the obstacle course and the push-pull
portions of the test, the officer must drag a 165 pound dummy a distance of 25 feet. Officers must
use the under the arm technique to accomplish this. The officer will then drag the dummy for 25
feet. Officer must perform this tack in a controlled and continuous manner.
One motion is started the officer cannot stop if they are to pass this section of the test. Officers
will have three attempts to complete the task. Three unsuccessful trials will constitute a failure.
Officer failing the dummy drag section fail the ORPAT examination.
* NOTE:
The eligibility requirements are subject to change at any time.