Medical standards for recruits
Prior to being invited to attend recruit training, AFP applicants undergo a full medical assessment. This includes a comprehensive questionnaire and physical examination. The AFP does this because of the physical, medical and psychological demands of operational policing.
Operational deployment may include demanding duties such as:
- crowd control
- dealing with less than co-operative members of the public
- surveillance duties
- shiftwork
- exposure to physical and psychological stressors.
Similarly, initial recruit training and some specialist training courses involve a high degree of physical activity. Applicants should, therefore, have no physical, medical, or psychological condition which will prevent them from meeting these demands.
As a guide, you will need to be free from chronic medical conditions requiring regular, uninterrupted therapy, such as:
- asthma, requiring maintenance therapy
- insulin dependent diabetes
- any injury or medical condition which may be incompatible with the physical, medical and psychological demands of operational policing.
Hearing
Applicants should be able to hear normal conversational sounds, be able to distinguish commands or instructions in a noisy environment, and be able to hear radio and telephone broadcasts.
A whispered voice should be understood at three metres distance. In cases of doubt, an audiogram test should be conducted, with a minimum of 35 dB loss at the following frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 cycles per second, in each ear.
Colour vision
Applicants should be able to satisfactorily identify and distinguish colour. Colour vision should be tested with pseudoisochromatic (ISHIHARA) plates.
If abnormal, the applicant will be required to undergo optometrist/ophthalmologist testing of colour vision to a ‘defective safe’ standard.
Suitable tests include Farnsworth Lantern, Oscar, D15 Test or FM100 Test.
Visual acuity
Applicants must have a satisfactory standard of near and distant vision in both eyes. Visual aids such as glasses and contact lenses are acceptable, however:
- a visual acuity of 6/12 or better in each eye, unaided or aided, is required
- the minimum standard for the unaided visual acuity is 6/36 in the weaker eye
- a history of eye surgery, including refractive surgery, may require specialist assessment.
Other medical conditions
A history of surgery (such as knee or ankle reconstruction and spinal operations), treatment of depression, or other medical conditions, requires appropriate specialist medical reports and opinions. These must relate directly to the applicant’s ability to undertake Operational Safety Training and operational policing duties.
Operational fitness levels
Due to the highly unpredictable nature of AFP operational activity, sworn officers need to be fit, healthy and skilled to effectively meet the demands of their roles.
While physically demanding incidents may be infrequent, they can be intense, critical, and even life threatening. Being physically fit is essential to the sworn officer’s ability to execute their duties. They are expected to be in a state of readiness to perform all requirements of their role.
During the AFP College's program, recruits are expected to develop and maintain a standard of physical fitness appropriate for AFP operational members. All recruits are assessed for their suitability for operational work during operational safety training.
Operational safety training involves:
- the use of verbal commands and conflict de-escalation techniques
- striking and holding techniques
- handcuffing
- the use of a police baton
- the use of oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray
- the use of firearms.
Where a person is unable to meet a physical standard, the AFP will consider the individual’s circumstances to determine what action should be taken.