Physical Ability Test (PAT)
New in 2026: Physical Ability Test (PAT)
Beginning in 2026, the Phoenix Police Department will transition from the current POPAT (Peace Officer Physical Fitness Test) to the new Physical Ability Test (PAT).
The PAT is designed to reflect the real-world physical demands of policing. Candidates will complete a series of tasks that simulate essential job functions, including:
Obstacle navigation: climbing over barriers and maneuvering through tight spaces.
Pursuit simulation: short-distance sprinting and directional changes.
Victim rescue: dragging a weighted dummy to safety.
Equipment carry: lifting and transporting weighted objects.
The requirement for successful completion of the PAT is to finish the course in two minutes and six seconds (2:06) or less. The test is graded on a pass/fail basis.
The Phoenix Police Department reserves the right to conduct an alternative assessment test in the event of inclement weather or when the Physical Ability Test (PAT) course is unavailable. The alternative assessment may include push-ups, box jumps, dummy drags, pull-ups, burpees, and a 500-meter run.
More information and training videos will be posted soon. Follow our social media @JOINPHXPD for updates.
Applicants currently in the hiring process will receive a link from their assigned background investigator to schedule a PAT testing date. Please do NOT sign up for a testing date until you have received a link from your assigned investigator.
