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Medford cops face new obstacles A new obstacle course designed to measure officers' physical fitness debuted in Medford police training sessions Friday. Officers are challenged to run around cones, jog up stairs, attack a push-pull machine and drag a 175-pound dummy 25 feet - all in five minutes or less. The obstacle course replaces old police physical fitness challenges of running 1.5 miles and jumping a 6-foot wall. With the same requirements for men and women, the new test more accurately replicates a foot chase with a struggle and body-carry at the end, said Medford training officer Chuck Steinberg. "It's a real tough five minutes," Steinberg said. The police department also challenged Southern Oregon University students interested in police work to try the course Friday. The course was developed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and is recommended for officers in Oregon. However, there are no penalties for cops who don't pass. Candidates seeking jobs with Medford's force are encouraged to pass the test. All Medford officers tried the course more than a year ago. After the Medford City Council approved funds last year, the police department purchased the equipment for about $5,000. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.