Durham police hold female-only workouts for aspiring officers

OSHAWA, Ont. – Durham Regional Police held a female-only workout Thursday to help women pass a physical test required to become a police officer.

Sgt. Keith Richards says 50 per cent of women fail a physical test which they must pass before applying to become a constable.

At the same, he said, 90 per cent of male applicants pass the physical.

“Our objective is advancing people who need a leg up,” Richards said.

Richards says he agrees with the current test that requires men and women to perform at the same physical standard.

“When women are out in field, Joe bad guy doesn’t care who you are, what your physicality or gender is. All he will see is your uniform. He’s not going to cut you a break because you’re a girl,” he said.

The session at Durham College pushed participants through several stations, including stairs and wall climbing, dummy pulling and resistance training.

“You are not going to see these apparatuses at another gym,” said Richards.

Durham Regional Police holds three practice sessions a year and Richards says about 30 to 40 applicants take part in each session.

“I want people to go through the course multiple times,” he adds. “Typically, the more times you do it the better you perform.”

He says many women have passed the physical examination after completing the practice session, noting women comprise 18 per cent of the Durham force.

“A lot of women don’t even go to the gym because they’re afraid of the guys who are grunting, groaning and full of testosterone,” Richards said.

“Now they have chance to train in a welcoming environment.”

Danielle Lehmkuhl, a first-time participant, says the session provides good insight on what to expect for the real examination.

But she said she doesn’t agree with excluding male from the class.

“Women do need to get used to working with men around,” she said.