Govt to fix Higher Secondary as minimum qualification for police

Thiruvananthapuram, May 24 (UNI) The Kerala Government will fix 'Higher Secondary' as the minimum qualification for the recruitment in police force in the state, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said today.

Talking to reporters at a press conference, organised in connection with the second anniversary of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government in the state here, he said the minimum qualification was Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) in the past and many graduates and post graduates were now joining the police force.

Mr Balakrishnan said in future women would also get opportunity for direct recruitment to the post of Sub Inspector, through written test. Though there would not be any reservation or concessions to women, they would get some considerations in physical tests.

The Home Minister said the new Police Act would be implemented within one year. The Government had received the draft report, prepared by Justice V R Krishna Iyer and the Home Department was studying it.

Stating that it would take steps to change the old method of police training, he said new recruits would be given training in computer, driving, swimming and behaviour towards the public.

Pointing out the discrimination in getting promotion to constables, he said the Government had taken steps to ensure that constables get promotion as Assistant Sub Inspectors, after 23 years of their service.

No police constable should retire from the service with the same post in which they entered in the service, he added.

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