The Physical Fitness Effects of a Week-Long Specialist Tactical Police Selection Course

Specialist police tactical teams, like special operations military personnel, are tasked with dangerous, high risk missions which are beyond the scope of general police. Consequently, the selection courses for entry into these teams are physiologically and psychologically demanding. The purpose of this study was to examine the physiological effects of a five-day selection course to aid in candidate preparation and course planning. Measures included body mass, grip strength, sit-and-reach flexibility, and a vertical jump assessment. Eleven candidates finished the selection course with significant decreases in body mass (−2.05 kg, p = 0.006 (95% CI = 3.65–0.45)), grip strength in the right (−14.48 kg, p < 0.001 (95% CI = 21.32–7.64)) and left (−14.27 kg, p < 0.001 (95% CI = 21.89–6.66)) hands and in sit-and-reach flexibility (−6.64 cm, p < 0.001 (95% CI = 9.94–3.33)). No significant decreases in power output or peak jump velocity of 669.77 W (95% CI = 1942.92–603.39) and 0.28 m/s (95% CI = 0.69–0.14) were found and a non-significant, overall increase in vertical jump height of 6.09 cm (95% CI = −6.08 to 18.79) was seen. Decreases in body mass, grip strength and lower limb flexibility are evident in a grueling five-day selection course. Individuals planning on attending these courses should plan for these negative effects and build redundancy into their performance to minimize the effects of fatigue, decrease injury risk and maximize chances of completion.

Performance in Noise: The Relationship Between Workload And Situation Awareness in Navy Tactical Teams

The relationship between workload and situation awareness (SA) has been researched generally; however, the relationship between measures of SA and workload, SPAM and NASA TLX respectively, has not been established. This study was completed using a tactical military scenario in which two participants acted as they would standing watch on a US Navy ship. One participant, the Tactical Action Officer (TAO) had reduced speech intelligibility in some trials. The results showed that the relationship between workload and SA differed by role (TAO or CICWO) and by the speech intelligibility level. This work shows the complex relationship between workload and SA and shows the need further investigation in this area, especially in teams.

Do Barrier Test Results Predict Survival in Specialist Police Tactical Selection Courses?

Entry to specialist police tactical teams is governed by performance on a physically intense and psychologically demanding selection course. The aim of this study was to determine the attributes associated with completion of a specialist police selection course. Data pertaining to 18 candidates was obtained including 1 min push-ups, loaded pull-ups, loaded 30 m crawl, agility run, 1.2 km run and multi-stage fitness assessment. Comparisons from those who did and did not complete the selection week were performed and a hierarchical multiple regression performed. Eleven candidates finished, with significant difference found in those who completed the course in push-ups (+9.1 reps), loaded pull-ups (+2.9 reps), 1.2 km run (−16 s), loaded crawl (−6.3 s), agility (−0.67 s) and VO2max (+4.8 mL/kg/min). In combination, the fitness assessments pull-ups, 30 m loaded crawl and agility time were found to predict 70% of the variability in course completion (adjusted R2 = 0.70, F (3,14) = 14.373, p = 0.001). When assessed independently, push-ups, 1.2 km run and VO2max results only predicted a non-significant 0.02%, 0.29% and 0.12%, respectively, of course completion. Completion was influenced by aerobic fitness, upper limb strength and endurance and agility. These variables appear to be predictive of course success.

Outcomes of Shared Mental Models of Team Members in Cross Training and High-Intensity Simulations

The present study examined whether shared mental models of team members’ characteristics were associated with team outcomes (i.e., performance, communication, and physical arousal) in cross training and a high-intensity simulation requiring coordinated team action. In a quasi-experimental design, 36 Navy officer cadets were randomly assigned to 12 newly formed tactical teams in the no shared mental modal condition (NoSMM). In contrast, 33 Navy officer cadets in 11 seasoned teams were included in the shared mental model condition (TMSMM). All teams were exposed to the same naval scenarios in their cross training and simulation exercise. The results showed that teams with TMSMM had superior performance and communication patterns characterized by updates and confirmations compared to the NoSMM teams during cross training and simulation. During cross training, TMSMM teams provided more backup than NoSMM teams. These findings suggest that shared mental models of team member are transferable through tasks and enhance the effects of cross training. The present study extends previous research indicating that shared mental models of team members represent an independent, adaptive asset at the group level that enhances team efficiency.