Can YOU Answer The Call?

Staying the Course

Finishing ahead of the competition  

By nature, police work is physically and mentally demanding so our definition of "fitness" includes the mind as well as the body. 

For starters, an approved applicant will be invited to complete the physical agility test, and this step must be completed before proceeding to the written/ oral examinations. The following six areas of mastery meet Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) exit standards and include:  

  • Vertical Jump:16 inches
  • One Minute Sit-Up:29
  • 300 Meter/ Sprint Run:71 seconds
  • Maximum Push-Ups:25
  • 1.5 Mile Stamina Run:16 minutes, 28 seconds
  • Trigger Pull  

Preparation provides competitors with and an edge and better chances for making the grade. To help candidates prepare for the physical and written tests, the SBPD offers mock physical fitness trials and exam tutoring for individual performance assessments. Fitness and study plan advisories are available for interested parties.  

The Finish Line

Joining the SBPD team

After passing the agility test and written exam, applicants will be placed on an eligibility list for one year. Then as vacancies occur, and consistent with the City of South Bend's Equal Opportunity Employment Guidelines, selected applicants will advance to the Oral Interview Board, Personal Interview, Background & Polygraph Investigations. After satisfactory completion of testing, the SBPD will select candidates to receive a Conditional offer of Employment and then proceed to the Psychological and Physical Examinations, as required by the State Pension Board.  

"Plus" Factors for employment

  • Police-related occupations (military/other departments)
  • Education (college degree/education beyond high school)
  • College internships
  • Volunteer/ community service 

"Minus" factors for employment

  • Domestic violence (automatic rejection)
  • Involvement in felony criminal activity
  • Conviction for DUI/OWI offenses
  • Weapons related arrest/convictions/offense history
  • Involvement in illegal drugs



FALSIFICATION, OMISSION, MISREPRESENTATION, OR DECEPTION IN ANY STAGE OF THE APPLICANT PROCESS WILL RESULT IN YOUR IMMEDIATE REMOVAL FROM CONSIDERATION.

The City of South Bend is an Equal Opportunity Employer.