What hearing requirement must applicants fulfill?

The requirement for applicants to have normal hearing in both ears is crucial for several reasons. First and foremost, law enforcement officials need to communicate effectively with their colleagues and the community, which requires clear auditory processing. Additionally, normal hearing is important for situational awareness, enabling officers to detect critical sounds in the environment, such as sirens, alarms, or voices in distress. This requirement ensures that candidates can perform their duties safely and effectively, adhering to the physical standards necessary for police work.

While the ability to hear high frequencies, recognize soft sounds, or even the use of hearing aids may be relevant in specific contexts, they do not satisfy the essential standard of requiring normal hearing in both ears for the broad range of responsibilities that police officers must undertake.