Police applicants tested

The Bella Vista Police Department tested applicants last Wednesday, Sept. 26.

Applicants who passed the initial written exam were timed on a mile-and-a-half run, then tasked to put in as many pushups and sit-ups as they could in one minute.

Lt. Scott Vanatta said he was happy to see a full effort from every applicant — some were in better shape than others, but everyone gave it his or her all.

“Everybody did awesome,” Vanatta said. “I’m actually very proud of this group.”

The applicants who went through these tests will go on to interviews, he said, after which they will be scored and ranked. There are not currently any openings, he said, but these applicants will make up a potential hire list the department will use over the next year.

Among those testing were Bentonville resident Edgar Martinez and Bella Vista resident Brandon Troutner.

“I thought it was fun,” Troutner said.

Troutner said he grew up

watching police footage and always wanted a career in law enforcement.

Martinez said he was excited to see everyone pushing themselves for the tests and wishes everyone the best.

He got interested in law enforcement, he said, because police were around often while he was growing up.

“They’ve been role models for me,” he said.

Keith Bryant/The Weekly Vista Police department applicant Marshall Hill, left, does sit-ups with support from fellow applicant Joshua Loya while Lt. Scott Vanatta monitors.

Keith Bryant/The Weekly Vista The first physical test police department applicants go through is a one-and-a-half mile run around the Loch Lomond ball field.

Keith Bryant/The Weekly Vista Lt. Scott Vanatta watches, along with police department staff and applicants, while two applicants work through the push-up portion of the physical test.