Philadelphia Police Lower Physical Fitness Requirements Amid Recruitment Crisis
In response to a severe staffing shortage, the Philadelphia Police Department has reduced its physical fitness standards for new recruits, aiming to fill hundreds of vacancies.
- The Philadelphia Police Department is addressing its recruitment challenges by lowering the physical fitness standards for entry exams.
- This move is part of a broader national trend of reevaluating recruitment policies, including tattoos, previous drug use, and educational requirements, to attract more candidates.
- Since the implementation of the new standards, the pass rate for the physical fitness exam has increased from 36% to 51%, indicating a positive impact on recruitment efforts.
- The department aims to hire at least 350 new recruits in 2024, a significant increase from previous years, to address approximately 836 vacancies in its 6,000-officer force.
- Critics caution against lowering standards too much, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high physical and moral standards in law enforcement.
Fox News 
Associated Press 
