Rhode Island Police Academy Requirements

Joining a police academy is a milestone on the path to becoming a police officer. The Rhode Island 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. Rhode Island police academy requirements consist of, in part, the following:

Age Requirement

Rhode Island police academy age requirements state that applicants must be between 18-35 years of age. Applicants may complete an application and proceed in the hiring process at 17.5 years of age if they will be 18 by the starting date of the next academy class.

Residency and Citizenship Requirement

Applicants must be a resident of Rhode Island and possess a valid Rhode Island 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

Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island State Police.
• Criminal      arrests/behavior which would not reflect well on the Rhode Island State      Police.

The core purpose of the Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island State Police Officer.

Applicants are advised that all information provided to the Rhode Island 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

MINIMUM PHYSICAL FITNESS STANDARDS FOR MALES AND FEMALES

• Candidates are tested at the 50th percentile using the Cooper Institute of Aerobic

DYNAMIC STRENGTH TEST

I. ONE MINUTE SIT UP:

 A. Objective: To measure the muscular endurance of the abdominal and hip flexor muscles.

B. Procedure:

1) Candidates must lie on their backs, knees bent, with fingers interlocked behind the head, heels flat on the floor.

2) Testers will hold their feet down.

3) Heels will be approximately the distance between the candidate’s outstretched thumb and small finger from the buttocks.

4) From the “down” starting position on back, candidates will raise their upper bodies, fingers interlocked behind head, and touch their elbows to their knees at the “up” ending position.

5) Candidates will then lower themselves until their shoulder blades touch the mat.

6) This will be considered one (1) sit up.

7) A sit up will not count if:

a) The fingers are not interlocked and the hands do not remain in contact with the back of the head at all times.

b) The elbows do not touch the knees.

c) The shoulder blades do not come all the way down to mat.

8) At the completion of this test, the tester will inform the candidates how many sit-ups were completed correctly.

9) Candidates may rest only in the “up” position.

10) The candidate score will be the total number of correct sit-ups completed in one (1) minute.

II. ONE MINUTE PUSH UP

A. Objective: This test measures the muscular endurance of the upper body (anterior deltoid, pectorals, and triceps).

B. Procedure:

1) The hands are placed slightly wider than shoulder width apart, with fingers pointed forward. The administrator places one fist on the floor below the subject’s chest. If a male is testing a female, a 3-inch sponge should be placed under the sternum to substitute for the fist.

2) Starting from the up position (elbows extended), the subject must keep the back straight at all times and lower body to the floor until the chest touches the administrator’s fist. Subject then returns to the up position. This is one repetition.

3) Resting should be done only in the up position.

4) The candidate score will be the total number of correct push-ups completed in one (1) minute.

AEROBIC POWER TEST

I. 1.5 MILE RUN:

A. Objective: To measure the efficiency of the cardiovascular system and how it responds to imposed physical demand.

B. Procedure:

1) Candidates will be allowed to warm-up and stretch prior to this test.

2) Candidates will run or jog a distance of 1.5 miles in the shortest time possible. Prior to the test, candidates should practice the

1.5 mile run several times to determine the best individual pace for the entire distance.

3) A group of candidates will run at the same time. Candidates may choose to walk or jog if they so desire. However, this event is an individual effort. All scores are individually recorded.

ANAEROBIC POWER TEST

I. 300 METER RUN:

A. Objective: Measure recruits anaerobic power capacity.

B. Procedure:

1) Candidates will be allowed to warm-up and stretch prior to this test.

2) Candidates will run a distance of 300 meters at a maximal level of effort. Time used to complete distance will be recorded in seconds.

II. VERTICAL JUMP:

A. Objective: This is a measure of muscular explosiveness or strength of the recruit’s legs.

B. Procedure:

1) Candidate stands with one side toward the wall and reaches up as high as possible to mark his/her standard reach.

2) Candidate jumps as high as possible and marks the spot on the wall above his/her standard reach mark. Prior to jumping, one foot must remain stationary on the floor.

3) Score is the total inches, to the nearest ½ inch.

4) The best of three trials is the score.
* NOTE:

The eligibility requirements are subject to change at any time.