Validation Strategies for Physical Ability Testing in Police and Fire Settings

Abstract

This paper identifies two contemporary issues within the context of selection and staffing for police and firefighting positions: (1) there is increasing litigation challenging the validity of physical ability tests in screening applicants for these positions, and (2) there is not much published literature concerning the use of and validation of physical ability tests in these settings. The paper discusses issues and challenges associated with court challenges of traditional content validity procedures and suggests there may be an over-reliance on this particular validation strategy. It is suggested that construct validation procedures may be an alternative procedure to provide evidence concerning the validity of physical ability tests within these contexts. Construct validation is described and illustrated via hypothetical examples.