CANBY, ore. -- Saturday, Oregon State Police were looking for the best and the brightest to join their force. OSP held entry level testing for 308 men and women at Canby High School. Phase one was a physical fitness test, comprised of timed push-ups, sit-ups and a two mile run.
"What appeals to me is the way I looked up to police officers when I was a little kid," said applicant Damon Ashbeck. "Now they'll get to look up to me."
For Ashbeck, failing was not an option. He's dreamed of becoming a state trooper for as long as he can remember. He breezed through the push-up portion of the test. But when it came to sit-ups, he barely made it.
"It was real close. It was real close," Ashbeck said. "I had five seconds left and I still had to do two."
Lt. Mike Paterson said just 50 percent of applicants usually pass the entry level test. But Saturday, an impressive 60 percent made the cut.
"We as citizens of the State of Oregon have high expectations of our officers," Peterson said. "They need to be in good physical and mental shape to do the job and the demands of that job."
Peterson said this year it seems more people want to do the job.
"With the economy the way it is we have more people applying and the goal here is to find the best to be Oregon State Police's finest," he said.
A two mile "fun run" rounded out the physical test. Some simply weren't fast enough and will have to come back next year. But for Ashbeck, crossing the finish line meant one step closing to wearing a OSP badge.
"I'm real proud of myself right now," he said.
Applicants who passed the physical test, went on to a written test. Those who pass everything Saturday will return Sunday for aptitude testing and background investigations. Another entry level testing session will take place on June 12Th and 13Th at Hermiston High School.
