Candidate Physical Fitness Preparation Program
The New Jersey Police Training Commission (PTC) has established a voluntary Candidate Physical Fitness Preparation Program designed to help individuals prepare for the physical demands of police academy training. The program allows participants to assess their readiness for required fitness standards and identify areas for improvement prior to attending or paying for an academy.
The Gloucester County Police Academy offers a structured three-week program consisting of two sessions per week, for a total of six sessions. This program is held twice annually and takes place prior to the basic academy class pre-assessments.
Participation is limited and determined in advance by the Academy Director. Preference is given to law enforcement hires, with remaining seats available to individuals pursuing a career in law enforcement. The Academy Director, or their designee, reserves the right to remove any participant from the program at any time.
All sessions are held at the Gloucester County Police Academy
Session 1 – Orientation (Mandatory): Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 9:00 am
Initial Physical Training (PT) Assessment, overview of the importance of fitness in law enforcement, and introduction to the PTC Physical Fitness Assessment. Medical and liability waivers will be collected and reviewed; all required forms must be submitted prior to participation. Participants will complete a guided warm-up and stretching session and receive instruction on proper exercise form and technique. An optional baseline assessment aligned with PTC fitness standards will be offered. This is a voluntary program; participants may withdraw at any time.
For safety, any participant showing signs of distress will be directed to stop immediately and seek appropriate follow-up care. Instructors may also remove participants from the program if safety concerns arise.
Sessions 2–5 – Training Sessions
- Tuesday, May 14, 2026 at 9:00 am
- Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 9:00 am
- Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 9:00 am
- Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 9:00 am
Each session includes warm-up, stretching, cardiovascular conditioning, and upper- and lower-body strength training with emphasis on proper technique and injury prevention.
Session 6 – Final PT Assessment: Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 9:00 am
Final assessment to measure participant progress and overall physical fitness level using PTC standards.
Participants requiring medical attention at any point must obtain physician clearance before returning to the program.
Gloucester County Police Academy
1400 Tanyard Road
Sewell, NJ 08080
856-415-2266