Gonna get this out of the way now: The police here in Nashville and around the countries are heroes who do jobs that most of us could never do.
That heroism has been on full display from the Metro Nashville Police Department several times over the past few years, not to mention all that they have to put up on the weekends with the drunk tourists downtown.
But a training video that shows the agility test required of new Nashville police officers has recently surfaced, and has some online questioning – and mocking – the physical requirements to make it through training.
The video, which was posted in 2021, shows the tasks officers must perform in order to pass the agility test, including jumping over a 3-foot chain link fence, as well as a 3-foot wall. Then, a 99-yard agility run that “simulates a short-distance foot pursuit,” and includes such obstacles as…running through some cones, and jumping over a sawhorse and some blocks of wood.
Seems pretty real-world to me.
Well the video caught the attention of political commentator Matt Walsh, who accused the agency of lowering standards and compared the requirements to “an obstacle course set up for third graders at recess.”
The Nashville Police Department lowered its fitness requirements to recruit more women. This is what the physical fitness test looks like now. It looks like an obstacle course set up for third graders at recess. My four year old daughter could pass this test. pic.twitter.com/TQNlFXUrMZ
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) March 18, 2024
And many in the comments agreed, even saying that they’ve seen harder obstacle courses on Nickelodeon shows. (That Aggro Crag from Guts always looked like a beast).
Nickelodeon used to have an entire lineup of TV shows where little kids did more challenging things than this https://t.co/jemwWxBQko
— Vince Coglianese (@VinceCoglianese) March 18, 2024
Even Elon Musk jumped into the debate:
Physical fitness tests have been lowered for the military too
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 18, 2024
And plenty of others had jokes about how easy the whole thing appears:
NOT FAIR!
Why do they discriminate against fat people? Show me an 800 pounder that can climb that fence.
I’m waiting.
— Keith Dorschner (@keith_dorschner) March 18, 2024
This is embarrassing. But then again, when you refuse to prosecute many crimes you don’t need a high standard for fitness.
— Thorfinn (@ThorfinnFlop) March 18, 2024
Criminals rejoicing in TN right now. 2 Minute REST PERIOD FROM CLIMBING OVER A FENCE, and then running like 25 feet?
— The Stupid Shall Be Punished (@stupidpunished) March 18, 2024
If you can casually jog a 16-minute mile, you can get away from any cop in Nashville. https://t.co/FKcue6iUIn
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) March 18, 2024
I thought he was joking but what the hell is this https://t.co/PqnQEznRQe
— Gary (@plzbepatient) March 18, 2024
I could've been a Nashville cop at 10 years old. Sergeant by 12. https://t.co/C66JdAYoTA
— Long Beach Mike (@longbeachmike73) March 18, 2024
Sorry to give away the ending but — he got away.
Every single time.
(Seriously, this is astounding. Babylon Bee-level of satire, only it's not.) https://t.co/fm6c0Gvze2
— Juan Epstein's Father (@FatherofEpstein) March 18, 2024
So what do you think? Could you pass this test?
