Law Enforcement Officers


Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security > Law Enforcement Officers > Physical Demands
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Law Enforcement Officers

Law Enforcement Officers - Physical Demands

Police officers and sheriffs frequently:

  • Sit for long periods of time.
  • Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

It is important for police officers and sheriffs to be able to:

  • Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
  • See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
  • See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
  • Understand the speech of another person.
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  • Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
  • Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
  • Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects.
  • Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
  • Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
  • React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
  • Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
  • Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for police officers and sheriffs to be able to:

  • Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
  • Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
  • Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
  • Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
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  • Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
  • Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
  • See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
  • Determine from which direction a sound came.
  • Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
  • Determine the distance between objects.
  • See objects in very bright or glaring light.
  • While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.
  • Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
  • Move arms and legs quickly.
  • Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
  • Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
  • See objects in very low light.
  • Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
Source: Illinois Career Information System (CIS) brought to you by Illinois Department of Employment Security.