Required Medical Standards and Potentially Disqualifying Conditions Each state establishes the medical standards which will be used to evaluate whether a candidate can perform the essential functions of a police officer. The existence of any one of the following conditions is only to be considered as potentially disqualifying. Each police agency will consider the medical standards for its state to ensure that it is job related and consistent with agency necessity with respect to their police officer position. The examining physician or practitioner must determine, based upon his/her medical judgment, whether the existence of such condition renders the candidate unable to perform the essential functions of a police officer. 1. Eyes and vision Keep in mind that the provided information should be regarded solely as a guideline as to what can be expected during a police officer medical examination. The requirements for a medical examination may vary from state to state so it is advised that you contact your state’s medical association, or the proper personnel from the police department of your choice, in order to obtain specific requirements for your state.
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Medical Examination
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Upon successfully completing all previous phases of the police officer hiring process, and normally after being given a conditional offer of employment, all candidates interested in a police officer position shall undergo a medical screening conducted by a qualified physician or practitioner, unless otherwise specified. All candidates must be found physically able, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform the essential job functions of a police officer for the police agency seeking to employ the candidate. The term qualified physician or physician shall mean a medical doctor licensed to practice medicine in the candidate’s state who has been determined by the appropriate municipal civil service commission to possess the necessary expertise to administer a medical review pursuant to the provisions of the state, and who has been designated by such commission to administer such a review. The term qualified practitioner or practitioner shall mean a health-related professional who has been determined by the appropriate municipal civil service commission to possess the necessary expertise to administer a medical review, and who has been designated by such commission to administer such an examination. The qualified physician or practitioner shall assess each candidate on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the candidate can, with or without reasonable accommodations, perform the essential functions of a police officer for the police agency seeking to employ the candidate. The examining physician or practitioner shall complete a medical examination form based upon the medical review of the candidate. The existence of a potentially disqualifying condition shall not preclude the qualified physician or practitioner from determining that the candidate is able to perform the essential job functions of a police officer. Nothing, however, shall preclude the qualified physician or practitioner from noting the existence of any other potentially disqualifying conditions not specifically outlined on any forms or established guidelines, which, in the opinion of such physician or practitioner, may render the candidate unable to perform the essential functions of a police officer. The qualified physician or practitioner shall determine whether in his/her professional judgment each candidate can, with or without reasonable accommodations, perform the essential functions of a police officer upon the results of the clinical tests as set forth in each state’s legal procedure and other relevant medical criteria which in the opinion of the qualified physician or practitioner, may be used to base his/her judgment. Based upon the recommendation of the qualified physician or practitioner, the police agency wishing to employ the candidate will render whether the conditional offer of employment will be revoked. Minimum Components of Clinical Tests Each state normally recommends that the qualified physician or practitioner perform a medical examination which usually includes a thorough history, a physical examination, and clinical tests which normally consist of, but are not limited to, the following components:
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