KILLEEN (September 28, 2009)--The Killeen Police Department said Monday a lawsuit has been filed against the city challenging the department's new physical fitness standards, which take effect this Thursday.

Chris Ferman, the president of the West Bell County Fraternal Organization acknowledged the lawsuit Monday and said his organization and the Killeen Municipal Police Association joined to file the suit.

The two groups, which represent a majority of the city’s police officers, have come out against the fitness standards, saying that they could cost some good veteran officers their jobs.

Both groups declined further comment Monday on the advice of their attorney.

The Killeen Police Department also declined further comment.

All of the department’s commissioned officers from the chief down must meet the standards, which were unveiled two years ago, regardless of age, gender or experience.

Read The KPD Fitness Guidelines

For current officers, the standards require a vertical jump of at least 16 inches; an agility run that must be complete in no more than 19.6 seconds; a 300 meter run that must be completed in no more than 74 seconds, at least 21 push ups, and a 1.5 mile run that must be completed in no more than 18 minutes and 48 seconds.

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