Arkansas
Arkansas Police Academy Requirements and Arkansas Police Officer Qualifications
• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be a minimum of age 21
• Must possess a current and valid driver’s license
• Must be a high school graduate or possess a GED equivalency
• Must have a minimum visual acuity of 20/100 uncorrected; corrected to 20/20
• Must have registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, or otherwise be exempt from such registration
• Must have the ability to read, write and speak the English language
Dis-qualifiers
• Any felony conviction
• Misdemeanor convictions involving crimes of domestic abuse, theft or moral turpitude
• Certain levels of drug use or illegal activity relating to drug use
• Alcohol abuse
• Discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States for unsuitability, unfitness or other misconduct
• Membership in a subversive organization
• Use of an alias with the purpose to defraud, mislead or evade
• Any intentional misrepresentation, falsification or omission of any material fact during the selection process
• Refusal to submit to the polygraph, medical or psychological examinations
• Refusal to sign any document or release as required by the Arkansas State Police
Selection Process
• Completion and submission of the Arkansas State Police Initial Contact Form
• Successful completion of the following:
1. Physical Assessment Test *Consult with your recruiter if you have concerns about your ability
2. Written examination to pass the physical assessment test.
3. Polygraph examination
4. Background investigation
• Interview before the Arkansas State Police Applicant Interview Board
• Interview with the Director of the Arkansas State Police or designate
• ASP Commission review and approval
• Passing recommendation from a medical examination
• Passing recommendation from a psychological examination
Physical Fitness Assessment Test Battery *Each applicant must successfully complete each of the five tasks in order to continue in the selection process.
1. Standing Vertical Jump Applicant will stand next to a wall with either arm extended and touch the wall at a point as
high as possible. The first “touch” will be the start mark. The applicant will have three attempts
to jump with the extended arm and hand to increase the height of the second mark. A minimum
height needed to pass the test is 13 inches.
2. Maximum Sit-Ups The applicant will lie on their back with their knees bent at a 90 degree angle and the heels on
( 1 minute ) the mat or ground. The feet may be together or apart but the heels must remain in contact with
the mat or ground. The feet may be held and the fingers must at all times be interlaced behind
the head. Do not arch the back or lift the buttocks. A repetition is counted after the shoulder
touches the mat or ground and the applicant then touches the knees with their elbows. All resting
will be done in the up position. Minimum number needed to pass is 24.
3. Maximum Push-Ups Hands should be placed approximately shoulder width apart. Feet may be together or up to
( 1 minute ) twelve inches apart. The applicant’s body must remain in a straight line from the shoulder to the
ankles through the exercise. A repetition is counted when the body is lowered to approximately
four inches from the ground and then returned to the “locked out” elbows position with a
straight back. All resting will be done in the up position. Minimum number needed to pass is 17.
4. 300 Meter Run This will be a timed run with a group. Maximum time is :78.4 seconds
5. 1.5 Mile Run This will be a timed run with a maximum allowable run time for successful completion of 18:37
(min/sec).
