As a prerequisite, all Detention Officer and Deputy Sheriff applicants must demonstrate a minimum level of physical ability and fitness. The purpose of this physical test is to simulate and measure an applicant’s physical ability to respond to a critical incident and apprehend or potentially control a prisoner/suspect. 

The physical assessment is a timed, continuous sequence of actual and simulated job task events that measure basic individual abilities directly related to the law enforcement profession. Obstacles/events are correlated to specific job tasks. The assessment will be administered by Wake County Sheriff's Office Specialized Physical Fitness Instructor(s). All events will be clearly described and/or demonstrated by a physical fitness instructor before the test is performed by the applicant.

The assessment for Deputy Sheriff Applicants consists of the following physical requirements:

Scenario #1:

Shuttle Run: Applicant will run a maximum 406 feet in a back-and-forth manner.

Navigate obstacles: Applicants will be required to broad jump four (4) feet and crawl under a two (2)-foot high culvert multiple times.

"Roll Drill": Applicants will start on top of a 100-pound roll bag, roll until the bag is over their body and back on mat, then roll in the same manner in the opposite direction until back on top of heavy bag and the knee touches the mat multiple times.

Push-ups: Applicant will perform a total of 20 strict push-ups.

15 Step-ups: The applicant will complete 15 step ups on an eight (8)-inch step bench.

A minimum 10-minute recovery period is required between the end of Scenario #1 and the start of Scenario #2. The entire test must be completed on the same day.

Scenario #2:

Shuttle Run: Applicant will run max 200 feet in a back-and-forth manner.

15 Step-ups: The applicant will complete 15 step ups on an eight (8)-inch step bench.

Dummy Drag: Applicant will drag a 165 lb. dummy a total of 25 feet.

The applicant will be required to complete the assessment within the following time parameters: Six minutes or less for Scenario #1 and 3 minutes or less for Scenario #2.

The assessment for Detention Officer Applicants consists of the following physical requirements and must be completed in 4 minutes or less. 

1. Run from Cone 1 to Cone 2 (140ft)

2. Roll Drill, 3 repetitions (a – d = 1 repetition)

• a. Start on top of the 100lb heavy bag with left knee on the mat

• b. Roll to the right until the bag is over the body

• c. Continue roll in the same direction until back on top of the heavy bag (complete when right knee touches mat)

• d. Perform complete turn to the left until left knee touches the mat

3. Perform ten push-ups

4. Drag 165lb dummy from Cone 2 to Cone 3 (40ft)

5. Go to Step Box and perform 30 Steps (up and down) on the step box

6. Roll Drill, three repetitions

7. Run from Cone 2 to Cone 1 (140ft)