All about the Job Task Simulation Test

The Job Task Simulation Test (JTST) evaluates an applicant's ability to do the essential job functions of an Anchorage Police Officer. You may practice any individual obstacles during the walkthrough of the test. 

If you feel pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath at any time, inform your test proctor. Failure to use appropriate caution could result in severe injury or illness.

 To successfully complete the course and continue in the selection process, you must finish within 3 minutes and 36 seconds (3:36) while wearing a weighted belt and vest equivalent to the weight a patrol officer carries on duty. If you run astray from the designated path, stop during the course, or use any external assistance, your test will be terminated, and results will not be recorded. No devices are allowed during this test, including but not limited to watches, phones, or Bluetooth devices. If you are unsuccessful at completing the test in the allotted time, you must wait at least 30 days before you may try again.

Proctors will be stationed throughout the course to give you verbal instructions. If you fail any individual station, you may repeat that station as many times as necessary until the allotted time has elapsed or you choose to end the test.

Before beginning, you should conduct a physical fitness warm-up session according to your training regimen. The test will start with you seated in a patrol vehicle, with your seat belt fastened and the door closed. When the test proctor verbally tells you to begin the test, your time will start.

The test will start with you seated in a patrol vehicle, with your seat belt fastened and the door closed. When the test proctor verbally tells you to begin the test, your time will start.

You must run into the building and along the designated course marked with blue tape, cones, and arrows. This portion simulates running after a fleeing suspect. Once you enter the gym, you will continue to the obstacle dodge station. The obstacle dodge and subsequent sprint simulate a foot pursuit with objects in your path.

1. Obstacle Dodge – You will maneuver around the seven cones in the demonstrated zig-zag pattern. You must restart that task if you fail to follow the designated pattern, knock over, or move a cone.

2. Sprint – Upon exiting the obstacle dodge, you will sprint to and around the designated cone, proceeding to the next task, the duck under.

3. Duck Under – You will proceed under the obstacle frames. If you touch the obstacle frames, you must return to the entry gate and begin the obstacle again. You will exit the duck under and go around the cone to the beginning of the next obstacle: fence climb. 

4. Fence Climb – You will climb over the four-foot fence, land on the other side, and go around the exit cone. You will then proceed to the jump over obstacle.

5. Jump Over Obstacle - You will continue to the horizontal line and jump across an area 36 inches wide without touching the blue lines on either side. If you touch one or both lines, you must re-enter the obstacle from the initial cone. You will exit the jump over obstacle and continue along the course-designated path.

6. Continued Pursuit —You will exit the gym from the same door you entered, following the designated path to the stairs, which is marked with red tape. You will run up one flight of stairs, through a straightaway, and then down the second flight of stairs. You may skip steps on the way up but must touch each one on the way down. This station simulates going up and down stairs during a foot pursuit. Upon finishing the stairs, you will enter the final run portion of the course to the physical control machine.

The physical control machine is designed to measure your ability to control dynamic pulling and pushing forces similar at a muscular level to those experienced in a fight or grapple with a non-compliant or violent subject. You must use your upper and lower body together to control the weight effectively.

1. You will do 2 x 180-degree arcs in the PULL phase and 2 in the PUSH phase (*Demonstrate what makes an arc complete.) At the end of a complete arc, the machine will make an audible clunk, and you will feel the stopgap.

2. If you do not complete the arc, it doesn't count, and you must repeat the arc repetition.

3. For both the Pull and Push phases, you must always keep the weight up.

4. Dropping the weight is not allowed. If you drop the weight during an arc, you must move to the closest side of the machine and begin that arc again. If you drop the weight after completing an arc but before you start the next one, you will not incur a penalty other than running down the clock and wasting time.

5. The goal of both the push and pull is to keep the colored tape from showing. If red tape shows, that indicates a dropped weight, and you must restart the current arc. Yellow tape indicates that you are close to the red zone and in danger of dropping the weight.

6. You may receive two body position warnings each before you are required to repeat the arc. These body position errors include crossing your feet, having straight arms, or allowing your torso to touch the handle during the push phase.

You will complete the PULL phase first.

• Stand close enough to the machine so you can use your legs—if you stand too far away, your legs and core cannot become involved, making it more difficult.

• Grab only the blue rope with both hands.

• Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Bend at the knees (not the back) to lower your center of gravity.

• Drive your feet into the floor and pull away from the machine with your legs and arms while keeping your core muscles tight and your back straight.

• Remember to always keep an observable bend in the elbows. You are strongest with your elbows touching the sides of your body.

• Keep your butt (center of gravity) low but above the knees and move through the arc by shuffling the feet. Straightening your legs by standing more upright removes your legs' ability to help you.

Next, you will begin the PUSH phase.

• Grab the vertical parts of the handle and push until the weight is lifted.

• As in the Pull phase, drive your feet into the floor and push towards the machine with your legs and upper body while keeping your core tight.

• The best position on the handle is where your forearm is at a 90-degree angle to your upper arm.

• Remember that only your hands can touch the handle.

• Always keep your hips and upper body square to the handle and directly in front of it. If the handle gets out in front of you or you get in front of it, you will likely drop the weight and then you must repeat the arc.

You will drag a simulated person weighing 165 pounds 20 feet in any safe manner, beginning at the taped line to and around the cone and across the final line. The simulated person must cross the line completely. Once all body parts of the simulated person are across the line, the proctor will stop your time.