In order to be a police officer, you must be in excellent physical shape. You would be amazed at the amount of candidates arrive on test date out of shape. There is no excuse for this, other than sheer laziness. When applying to the academy and/or the police department, you are given a 2 to 3 month lead time on the requirements of being physically fit, which should give you plenty of time to get ready and in shape.
The physical fitness requirements to become a police officer consist of three major categories. These categories are muscle strength and endurance, anaerobic power and aerobic power. The test begins by evaluating your strength and endurance. This consists of push-ups, sit-ups and possibly pull-ups. Then you will run a 300 meter sprint followed by a 1.5 mile run. Some departments will have you do a dummy drag or an obstacle course as well. You will be timed on all of these exercises, so being in shape is key to passing the test and not passing out.
In order to be prepared for these things, it is important to take the 2 to 3 months lead time you are given to prepare and get yourself into great shape. Make sure that when you arrive for the test, you are not dressed in a slovenly manner and that you put your best foot forward. You do not know who will actually be hiring you, and making a good impression with your stamina, speed and dress is vital.