Identification and characterization of the critical physically demanding tasks encountered by correctional officers

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to identify the critical tasks encountered by correctional officers (COs) on the job and to conduct a comprehensive assessment and characterization of the physical demands of these tasks. These are the first steps in developing a fitness screening test for COs in compliance with recent legislation. The most important, physically demanding, and frequently occurring tasks were identified using Delphi methodology, focus groups, and questionnaire responses from 190 experienced front-line COs. These tasks were structured into emergency response scenarios for which a physical and physiological characterization was conducted to verify their relative physical demands analysis. Oxygen consumption and the forces exerted by COs were quantified while they were responding and then controlling and restraining inmates. The female COs used less force than the male COs did to control and restrain the same inmates (body control = 46 vs. 60 kg, wrist hold = 32 vs. 49 kg, and arm retraction = 37 vs. 47 kg) and did not exert their maximal strength during their control and restraint activities. The mean oxygen consumption of the female and male COs while performing the on-the-job tasks was similar (39.5 vs. 38.5 mL.kg-1.min-1). We concluded that the essential components of a fitness screening protocol for CO applicants are cell search, expeditious response, body control, arm restraint, inmate relocation, and an assessment of aerobic fitness. The criterion performance standards for completing these tasks in a circuit were set at the job performance level of safe and efficient female COs.

Validity and reliability of physical employment standards

“…The first stage in developing a legally defensible PES is a task analysis to identify job-related critical tasks and determine the MPS (Rayson 2000;Reilly et al 2006a;Reilly 2007;Jamnik et al 2010;Milligan 2013;Tipton et al 2013;Siddall et al 2014;Taylor et al 2015a). It is well established that a task analysis provides the foundation to developing a legally defensible PES (Rayson 2000; Gledhill et al 2001;Taylor and Groeller 2003;Jamnik et al 2010).…”

“…It is well established that a task analysis provides the foundation to developing a legally defensible PES (Rayson 2000; Gledhill et al 2001;Taylor and Groeller 2003;Jamnik et al 2010). It is critical that an objective and scientific task analysis is performed to ensure content validity of the tasks chosen (Blacklock et al 2015;Taylor et al 2015a).…”

“…SMEs have been used as a method of determining critical tasks (Reilly 2007;Jamnik et al 2010;Milligan 2013;Rogers et al 2014;Siddall et al 2014;Blacklock et al 2015;Taylor et al 2015a). An SME has been widely accepted as an incumbent and or supervisor with experience and thorough knowledge of a task.…”

Morphological model of female members of the Communal Police of Belgrade

“…2010), po kriterijumu TV pripadnici KPB pripadaju 20-om percentilu populacije Republike Srbije. Prosečna vrednost TV pripadnica KPB nešto je niža u poređenju sa istom varijablom praćenom na sličnim populacijama, koja kod pripadnica Kanadske policije prosečno iznosi 171±8.0 cm (Jamnik et al 2010), dok je kod studentkinja Kriminalističko-policijske akademije iz Beograda prosečna TV 169.57±4.10 cm ).…”

“…2010), po kriterijumu BMI pripadaju 80-om percentilu populacije Republike Srbije. U poređenju sa rezultatima dobijenim u merenjima na sličnim populacijama, rezultati BMI pripadnica KPB su nešto niže u odnosu na žene u policiji Kanade 25.0±4.0 kg/m 2 (Jamnik et al 2010), dok su u skladu sa studentkinjama KPA kod kojih prosečan izmereni BMI iznosi 21.71±2.08 kg/m2 ).…”