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Part 8 - The Physical Examination

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Deputy Bob Cooley

Deputy Bob Cooley has been serving in law enforcement for over 30 years, having served previously with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, and currently as a deputy for a sheriff’s office in northwestern Virginia.

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More articles from this author:

• Part 1 - So You Wanna Be a Cop...
• Part 2 - Starting the Process
• Part 3 - The Application

Physicals vary from agency to agency and doctor-to-doctor so this topic is a little more complex than the others. I know the physician’s office our agency uses has a questionnaire you must complete which is quite extensive in scope. I’m sure at this phase of the process you will face a battery of medical questions involving you personally and members of your family.

Please be truthful and answer as many of the questions as you possibly can with the information you have.

A word of caution, pre-existing conditions that may affect your ability to perform the duties of a Law Enforcement Officer must be revealed to the physician as well as the agency that is looking to hire you. Failure to divulge information about pre-existing conditions could cause disqualification or dismissal after you’re hired.

Part of the application my agency uses has a section called “Additional Information.” One of the questions under this category asks “List any information concerning additional activities or facts which may affect your qualifications or your ability to perform the duties of the position you are seeking.” Pretty broad I admit, but if you fail to disclose a pre-existing medical condition this could adversely affect your application.