Sub-Inspectors, Constables: PHQ to revamp their recruitment process

Men under the height of 5 feet 6 inches and women under 5 feet 4 inches will not be able to qualify for the post of sub-inspector as some changes in the recruitment criteria for the lower tier of police force is in the offing.

Police Headquarters (PHQ) has already proposed to the home ministry to implement the changes in the existing recruitment regulation of sub-inspector, sergeant and constable posts.

As of now, the minimum height requirement for men applying to the SI post is 5 feet 4 inches and for women it is 5 feet 2 inches.

The recruitment and career planning unit of PHQ proposed the changes following a meeting of the police and home ministry high-ups at the home ministry in mid-2020.

Since SI and sergeants play key roles in case investigations, maintaining law and order, and providing security to VIP and VVIPs, importance should be given on intellect and psychological aspects, alongside educational qualifications in recruitment for the posts, said officials at PHQ.

As per the PHQ proposal, candidates applying to the posts of SI and sergeant will need to have knowledge in Information and Communication Technology.

They will also have to face tougher physical endurance tests and psychological tests compared to the existing ones, said officials at PHQ.

PHQ proposed to reduce the percentage of viva and aptitude test marks for SI posts to 50 from the existing 100 for fairer assessment of candidates.

There will be no change in the marking of viva and aptitude test for sergeant posts, which is now scored on 50 points.

SI and sergeant candidates will have to take stringent endurance tests like sit-ups, push-up and dragging along with the existing ones -- running, long jump, high jump and roping -- to ensure recruitment of fitter candidates.

At present, a male SI and sergeant contender has to run 1,600 metres in 7.5 minutes, cross 10 feet in long jump, 3.5 feet height in high jump and climb 12 feet of rope. Women candidates have to run 1,000 metres in 7 minutes, cross 6 feet in long jump, reach 2.5 feet in high jump and climb 8 feet of rope.

As per the new proposal, a male SI and sergeant candidate has to perform 15 push-ups in 40 seconds, 15 sit-ups in 40 seconds and drag 160 pounds up to 30 feet. Female candidates have to perform 10 push-ups in 30 seconds, 10 sit-ups in 30 seconds and drag 120 pounds up to 20 feet.

PHQ proposed that male constable candidates will have to run 200 metres in 28 seconds and females 200 metres in 34 seconds. Presently, male constables run 1,600 metres in 6.5 minutes and women run the same distance in 8.5 minutes to get selected.

Besides, now SI and sergeant candidates have to undergo a computer competency test and they will be able to apply online along with constable contenders.

Such qualifications, along with educational qualifications, are required as SIs are responsible for investigating complex cases, maintaining law and order, arresting criminals and terrorists, and managing traffic, for which they have to take prompt decisions in various situations.

Contacted, Farjana Jesmin, deputy secretary at the home ministry, said it is an internal matter of police which is about to undergo some changes in the recruitment regulations for SI, sergeant and constable.

She declined to elaborate further on the process.

Md Mahfuzul Rahman Al-Mamun, assistant inspector general (recruitment and career plannic-1) at PHQ, said, "If the changes are done the recruitment process will be time befitting; accountability and transparency will be ensured and more capable policemen will be recruited."