COPAT training – if you get past this you can head for the next door to apply to be a CO at the new Correctional Facility in Oliver.

55 people (40 percent women) went through the grind in two days in Oliver – this session at the OIB gym at Sen Pok Chin Sunday. It’s the Correctional Officer Physical Abilities Test.

Warden Steve DeCastri said the 3 minute course of steps, pulling, lifting, pushing, up and down, race course can be tough. To make his point that it can be done by someone fit – he qualified doing the test recently. DeCastri and three of his deputy wardens have taken up shop at the Court House (BC government agent’s office) on Fairview Rd until they can get into the new jail. About 300 people have gone through the 7 work out test days in Kelowna, Penticton and Oliver. Applications will open in November for the actual job position of Correctional Officer. This test is a requirement but certainly not the only one.

Steve DiCastri brings his 30 years of corrections experience to the Okanagan Correction Centre.
DiCastri is now living in Oliver after working as warden at the Fraser Regional Correctional Centre for over a decade.

“I find the Okanagan quite different. The friendliness of the smaller community is very refreshing. I am looking forward to being part of Oliver.”

COPAT : The test circuit is made up of the following activities:
•run from start to stairs
•run up/down six flights of stairs
•run and negotiate obstacles down/through a corridor, hallway, cafeteria, etc.
•push open a door or move obstacle/person (push/pull station)
•pull open a door or move obstacle/person (push/pull station)
•control over resisting subject by demonstrating endurance and agility
•remove the subject (object) by carrying a 70lbs. weight out of the corridor, cafeteria, etc.