The role and significance of physical training in the initial professional training of newly recruited law enforcement personnel (based on the example of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia)

Stepanov Andrey Vladimirovich Senior Lecturer; Department of Physical Training; Vladimir Law Institute of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia 67e Bolshaya Nizhegorodskaya str., Vladimir, Vladimir Region, 600020, Russia mbkvv@mail.ru Other publications by this author     Stroilov Sergei Valer'evich Senior lecturer; Department of Physical Education, Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine; Ryazan State Medical University named after Academician I.P. Pavlov 10 Sennaya str., Ryazan, 390000, Russia, Ryazan region stroilov112@list.ru Krapivin Oleg Vladimirovich Associate Professor; Department of Physical Training and Sports; Academy of Law and Management of the Federal Penitentiary Service 390000, Russia, Ryazan region, Ryazan, Sennaya str., 1 o.krapivin@list.ru Other publications by this author     Kaznacheev Valerii Aleksandrovich PhD in Psychology Associate Professor; Department of Physical, Fire and Tactical Special Training; Samara Law Institute of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia 443022, Russia, Samara region, Samara, Industrial district, 24B Rylskaya St. Kaznzcheev_VA@gmail.ru

Pahomov Valerii Valer'evich Lecturer; Department of Physical and Fire Training; Kuzbass Institute of the Federal Penitentiary Service 654066, Russia, Kemerovo region - Kuzbass, Novokuznetsk, Tsentralny district, Tsentralny district, Oktyabrsky ave., 49 K. 4 panini.2014@mail.ru

introduction

Physical training is an integral part of the professional training of law enforcement officers, who must not only be representatives of the law and maintain order, but also possess psychological and physical fitness. Before a candidate can become a law enforcement officer, in accordance with departmental regulations, he must pass the standards for strength, speed and endurance in order to determine his suitability for service. For example, in the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia (hereinafter referred to as the FSIN of Russia), this regulatory legal act is the Order of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia dated 06/13/2023 No. 382 "On Approval of the Procedure for Organizing Personnel Training to Fill Positions in the Penal Enforcement System of the Russian Federation" (hereinafter referred to as FSIN Order No. 382), and in the Ministry of Internal Affairs The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation) Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation dated 02.02.2024 No. 44 "On Approval of the Procedure for Organizing Personnel Training to Fill Positions in the Internal Affairs Bodies of the Russian Federation" (hereinafter referred to as the Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 44), respectively.

According to the results of enlistment, employees are required to undergo initial professional training, in which they are trained in the discipline of physical fitness. Each new employee has his own level of physical fitness, which can affect his ability to quickly or slowly acquire the necessary skills. When organizing physical training classes, the teacher must adhere to an individual approach to the trainees, taking into account the initial data of each (physical capabilities, potential weaknesses). This is necessary not only to minimize injuries during training sessions, but also to improve the overall "picture" of the group's training, as well as to increase the physical fitness of each employee.

The relevance of the study is due to the need to increase the physical readiness of newly recruited employees in order to improve the quality of law enforcement agencies, due to the existing "personnel shortage", when each employee is assigned more responsibilities and responsibilities, as well as identifying ways to ensure high-quality physical training in conditions of staff shortages, as well as how to adapt programs for candidates with a low level of physical fitness without lowering the final standards ^{[8, 9]}.

The scientific novelty of this study is due to the need to improve the quality of training for newly recruited law enforcement officers in order to create prerequisites for the successful use of physical force by the latter within the framework of the law and subject to the need for its use. In modern realities, employees should understand the importance of physical fitness and improve in this area not only through training or classes, but also in their free time, as this is the key to health, longevity and safety, both for the employee and others.

The object of the study is the organization of physical training classes conducted in the context of the training program for newly enrolled law enforcement officers in the age range from 18 to 40 years (FSIN), up to 55 years (Ministry of Internal Affairs), in order to form professional competence – 2 (The ability, in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, to use physical force, special means, firearms, as well as providing first aid to victims) at a high level in terms of the formation of students' knowledge and skills in the use of physical force and special means.

The subject of the study is the effect of physical fitness on the level of professional competence and readiness of newly enrolled employees to perform their official duties.

The purpose of the study is to analyze the role and importance of physical training in the process of initial professional training of newly admitted law enforcement officers (using the example of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia), as well as to identify factors influencing the effectiveness of this training.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The method of observation was used in the article. The study took place at the Vladimir Law Institute of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia from September 29 to October 24, 2025. The object of observation was a group of initial professional training (25 people). Before starting the study, the authors prepared an observation protocol (Table 1), which was completed at the beginning and at the end of the training. The assessment criteria were determined in accordance with the order of the Federal Penitentiary Service No. 382, according to the age groups of students.

Table 1

Monitoring protocol

* – conditional target task

THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY

Physical training in law enforcement agencies covers a wide range of aspects related to physical development, psychological state and preparation for specific conditions of service. It is important to note that the physical readiness of employees must meet not only general standards, but also the specifics of their professional activities. Therefore, the work programs of the physical training discipline include both general physical exercises and special training aimed at developing those skills that will be most relevant during the service. For example, for employees undergoing initial professional training at the Vladimir Law Institute of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia, the following topics are included in the training: insurance and self-insurance; blows and protection from blows from armed and unarmed criminals; release from grapples and girths; protection against the threat of using firearms at close range, etc.

Each lesson includes preparatory, main and final parts. As a rule, their ratio is 3:8:1, respectively, and begins with checking the group's personnel according to the list and their appearance, communicating the goals and objectives of the training session, announcing the competencies being formed, and bringing security measures to the training session. After that, a warm-up session is conducted with the group in order to prepare the body for the load. This may include movement in various ways, special running exercises, general development exercises, on-site warm-ups, stretching and acrobatic elements. All exercises and elements are selected by the teachers depending on which parts of the body need to be prepared for the load. During the warm-up, the teacher pays attention to the reaction of the trainees' body to the load, if necessary, reducing or increasing the categorical indicators (volume, intensity) of exercises.

The technical elements are worked out in the following order: the teacher demonstrates the technique of performing on the opponent; performs each element in stages with an explanation of the need for each movement; the staff in pairs alternately work out the techniques for the score.

The basic rule is to master the correctness of actions (consistency, smoothness, effort). The teacher should inform everyone that, first of all, when studying techniques, the correctness of all actions is important, the second rule is smoothness, and in the case of the first two– a gradual increase in the speed of the techniques.

Employees undergo training for a month, at the end of which they master:

1. the technique of performing combat techniques for detaining and escorting an offender;

2. the technique of insurance and self-insurance;

3. the technique of striking and defending against blows from armed and unarmed criminals;

4. the technique of performing release from girths and grips;

5. Defensive actions against an armed enemy;

6. the technique of using special tools;

7. The basics of first aid.

However, there are a number of problems with employee training:

1. lack of psychological training as part of the training. Employees study only the practical, technical and tactical components of performing techniques. Despite the fact that psychological training is not only about "composure" and stress tolerance, but also, as noted by Mashekuasheva M. A. and Kharzinova V. M. in their work, in asserting themselves without excessive egocentrism or, conversely, modesty ^[7];

2. Transience. The training period is not enough to bring protection, detention and escort actions to automatism.;

3. The students have different levels of preparation, which means that the teacher needs to devote more time to the underachieving staff.;

4. Template work. In some cases, staff and teachers are not always interested in the learning process, and the latter is to transfer theoretical knowledge and consolidate the correctness of actions. What K.N. Petrov wrote about in his work ^[11].

At the first lesson, the teachers adopted standards in accordance with the order of the Federal Penitentiary Service No. 382 and recorded them in the protocol. Based on the results of the audit, the following conclusions were made:

1. 24% of students did not meet the threshold level, minimum points in three exercises;

2. The lowest scores in passing the standards were obtained for passing the strength standard (pull–ups for men, push–ups for girls);

3. the average score is 3.0 (6 people – "unsatisfactory"; 14 people – "satisfactory"; 3 people – "good"; 2 people – "excellent").

During the training period, in addition to studying and practicing the technique of using physical force, the teachers took time to improve physical fitness in each lesson.

According to the results of the training, during the test, the authors of the article repeatedly filled out the research protocol (Table 1), the following was revealed:

1. all employees scored the minimum required points for successful completion of the test (strength, speed, endurance);

2. When performing a conditional target task, most employees cannot start performing receptions immediately after the "receive" command. Trainees need time to think about the correctness and sequence of actions.;

3. the average score of passing the test in the discipline of physical fitness is 3.7 (12 people – "satisfactory"; 8 people – "good"; 5 people – "excellent");

4. The lowest scores in passing the standards were obtained for passing the strength standard (pull–ups for men, push–ups for girls);

5. When creating stressful situations (limited time, limited space, non-standard situations), some trainees make mistakes when performing protection, detention and escort techniques.

Thus, in order to implement full-fledged training, according to the authors, it is necessary to adhere to a number of rules.:

1. Individual approach. Many of the newly recruited employees have poor physical fitness and exercise, which can negatively affect their health and well-being, and in some cases lead to injuries. It is worth remembering the main thing – a gradual increase in workload. Not everyone is physically prepared;

2. interest in the process. The teacher should be interested in the learning process himself and generate interest in each student using various means and methods (play form, variety, testing, motivation with positive ratings, etc.);

3. diversity in the use of teaching methods and methods in order to increase stress tolerance and the possibility of using physical force (creating quasi-professional conditions). In some cases, various rooms can be used for practicing techniques (stairwell, corridor, street, living room, etc.);

4. instilling in students the principles of health saving and a healthy lifestyle;

5. a variety of methods and means of physical training (strength training, cyclical loads, sports games and special physical exercises aimed at developing certain skills necessary for performing official tasks);

6. The axiological principle of learning. The formation of not only physical qualities, but also the inculcation of universal values ^[6].

conclusion

Physical training is an integral part of the professional training of law enforcement officers. In the course of the study, the authors found that physical fitness is not only about improving physical condition, but also about instilling universal values. Nowadays, it is often forgotten that a person is, first of all, not a unit of a system, but a person who should strive for full and harmonious development. All means and methods should be aimed at shaping a person, not a "mindless machine."

Physical training in law enforcement agencies includes theoretical, practical, psychological, and intellectual elements that must be integrated so that one flows from the other and vice versa.

Physical training should be systematized and adapted to the specific requirements of each of the law enforcement agencies. This allows you to take into account the specifics of the tasks performed and working conditions, which, in turn, increases the effectiveness of training.

The specifics of the physical training of newly enlisted employees are that it should be aimed not only at developing physical qualities, but also at developing special skills necessary for the performance of official duties.

The methods and means of physical training used in the initial training process are diverse and include both traditional types of physical activity (running, special running exercises, general development exercises, strength exercises) and special ones (tactics and techniques of using physical force) aimed at developing self-defense skills and tactical training. It is important that the training program is comprehensive and includes both individual and group classes.

Ways to improve the system of physical training in law enforcement agencies are an important area for improving the quality of staff training. In the course of the research, several key areas have been identified that can contribute to improving the teaching system of the topic under consideration.:

1. According to the authors, it is necessary to update the work programs of the discipline "physical training" taking into account modern requirements and trends. Currently, there is no integration of psychological training in teaching methods of using physical force. Stressful situations are not created that facilitate decision-making in a limited time, techniques are practiced in the gym, as well as in conditions of free space, that is, there are no restrictions on movement. According to the authors, work programs should include such aspects in order to better train employees and enable them to use physical force in high-risk situations in the future.;

2. Teacher training. No one doubts the competence of the staff teaching the discipline of physical fitness, but the world does not stand still and the learning process is also changing. In this regard, teachers need to take professional development courses on an ongoing basis, attend various trainings and seminars on the topic in question, in order to provide competent and comprehensive training to employees.;

3. instilling in students the principles of health conservation and universal values;

4. An individual approach to each employee and a requirement based on their capabilities.

Thus, it can be concluded that physical fitness plays a key role in the initial training of newly enrolled law enforcement officers. It not only promotes the development of physical qualities and special skills, but can also have a positive impact on the psychological state of employees. The improvement of the physical training process, the introduction of new methods and technologies, as well as an individual approach are necessary conditions for improving the quality of training and, as a result, improving the work of law enforcement agencies in general.

The results of the conducted research emphasize the need for further improvement of training methods for newly recruited employees. The conducted research will be of interest to specialists dealing with the problems of education in educational institutions of departmental universities, and can also serve to update the work programs of disciplines and teaching materials on the academic discipline "physical training". This will not only improve the level of training of employees, but also ensure their safety and the citizens with whom they interact in the course of their professional activities. It is important to remember that the use of physical force is carried out in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation and can be crucial for saving lives or, conversely, lead to tragic consequences.

The article is published in its final version as approved following the last positive peer review recommending acceptance for publication. It incorporates revisions made by the author in response to prior negative peer review reports that did not recommend publication. All peer review reports, including initial negative reviews, are published in open access alongside the article. All versions of the author’s revisions are archived in the publisher’s repository and may be made available upon reasonable request in accordance with Elsevier’s editorial policies and applicable data availability requirements.
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