NCJ Number
118538
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 58 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1989) Pages: 25-30
Date Published
1989
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The legality of law enforcement administrators to enforce reasonable health and fitness standards that promote good health and job-related fitness in a positive manner is addressed.
Abstract
The implementation and enforcement of mandatory health and fitness standards in a law enforcement organization raises potential legal issues under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and under the Constitution. All mandatory fitness standards must be reasonable to be legally enforceable. Only enforcement of mandatory standards that have a "rational basis" and are fairly implemented is permitted by the Constitution. The legality under Title VII of a particular standard often depends on its impact, e.g. mandatory standards with a disparate impact on women must be justified by proof of job relatedness. A discussion is made of court decisions that illustrate the differing levels of governmental justification necessary to establish the legality of various mandatory standards.