NYPD relaxes cop fitness tests amid resignations
More than 2,100 police officers have retired or left the New York Police Department this year, surpassing the 1,535 who left in the first six months of 2020, the New York Post reported.
Amid unprecedented departures amid rising crime rates and bail reform, the NYPD has significantly relaxed fitness requirements.
The police department replaced a 6-foot false wall inside the Police Academy gymnasium with an easier-to-climb chain-link fence, according to official recruiting videos posted online, The Post reported.
The “Barrier Surmount” is one of six tasks involving a physical exam known as the “Job Standard Test” that prospective cops must pass before beginning six months of training at the academy in Flushing, Queens.
The time limit to complete the task has been extended by one minute to increase the success rate.
The NYPD is considering scrapping a rule that required recruits to run 1.5 miles in 2:21 p.m. or less to graduate from the academy, The Post reported.
“It’s really not difficult. If you can’t meet the basic requirements to be a police officer, you shouldn’t be one,” a veteran police officer told the Post.
Last year, a total of 3,152 officers left the NYPD, of which 553 members resigned and 2,599 retired, Fox5 New York reported.
President of the Paul DiGiacomo Detective Association attributed the exodus to New York’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, bail reform laws and lack of support from politicians.
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