BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)
The longer deputy sheriffs work in detention-based roles, the worse their performance becomes on job-specific physical tasks. Deputies who spent four or more years in detention showed significant declines in tasks like obstacle courses, fence climbs, and sprint efforts compared to recruits and other deputies. Performance on the 500-yard run—a test simulating a prolonged foot pursuit—started declining after just two years. These findings highlight the need for structured physical training while deputies are assigned to detention to maintain readiness for future patrol roles.
Purpose of the Study
This study investigated whether the amount of time deputy sheriffs spend working in detention assignments (such as jail or custody facilities) affects their ability to perform law enforcement job-specific physical tasks. Researchers used the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB)—a validated standard for physical performance in California law enforcement—to compare the performance of academy recruits and deputies with varying time in detention.
Subjects
- 253 law enforcement recruits (REC) from four academy classes
- 64 deputy sheriffs, divided into three groups based on time spent in detention:
- Less than 24 months (DS24)
- 25–47 months (DS2547)
- 48 months or more (DS48+)
Research Method
All subjects completed the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB):
- 99-yard Obstacle Course (99OC) – Tests short burst agility in simulated foot pursuit
- Body Drag (BD) – Drag a 165-lb dummy 32 feet (simulates victim rescue/suspect control)
- Chain Link Fence Climb (CLF) – Sprint and scale a 6-ft chain link fence
- Solid Wall Climb (SW) – Sprint and scale a 6-ft solid wall
- 500-yard Run (500R) – Simulates a prolonged foot chase, testing aerobic endurance
Participants completed two trials per task. The fastest time was recorded. Results were adjusted for age and sex.
Findings
1. Obstacle Course (99OC)
- Deputies with 48+ months in detention were 2.15 seconds slower than recruits.
- Deputies with less than 48 months were less than 1 second slower.
2. Body Drag (BD)
- Times were consistent across groups.
- Deputies with less than 24 months were 0.77 seconds faster than recruits.
3. Chain Link Fence Climb (CLF)
- Deputies with 48+ months were 1.95 seconds slower than recruits.
- Deputies with less than 48 months performed on par with or slightly faster than recruits.
4. Solid Wall Climb (SW)
- Deputies with 48+ months were 2.08 seconds slower than recruits.
- Deputies with less than 24 months were slightly faster; those with 25–47 months performed similarly to recruits.
5. 500-Yard Run (500R)
- Endurance performance dropped across all deputy groups:
- Less than 24 months: 11.55 seconds slower
- 25–47 months: 18.89 seconds slower
- 48+ months: 23.99 seconds slower
Analysis of Results
Physical performance steadily declined the longer deputies worked in detention-based roles. Endurance capacity showed the earliest drop—after just two years—followed by noticeable losses in agility and climbing ability after four years. These trends occurred even though body mass remained similar across groups, indicating that the performance decline was not due to weight gain or aging, but rather a lack of physically demanding activity and training.
This reinforces existing research that law enforcement officers must maintain physical activity throughout their careers—not only during academy training. Time spent in lower-activity roles like detention, without structured fitness, leads to measurable loss in operational capability.
Conclusion
Deputy sheriffs working in detention roles experience a decline in patrol-relevant fitness over time. Endurance drops first, followed by agility and climbing strength. While strength-based performance (like the body drag) appears less affected, deputies with four or more years in detention showed the largest overall decline across multiple job-specific tasks. These findings emphasize the need for consistent, structured training to maintain physical readiness—especially before transitioning from detention to patrol duties.
Bibliography
Lockie, R.G., Orr, R.M., Moreno, M.R., Dawes, J.J., & Dulla, J.M. (2019).
Time Spent Working in Custody Influences Work Sample Test Battery Performance of Deputy Sheriffs Compared to Recruits.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(7), 1108.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16071108
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