More than one lakh candidates have applied for 2,798 posts of police constables in the city, which works out to a ratio of 38 aspirants for each post.
Though officials of the recruitment and training division have been overwhelmed by the response, they need a minimum of three months to conduct the physical fitness test for the applicants to screen candidates for the second round.
“We are scrutinising the applications before fixing a date for the physical examination test," a senior police officer said. The candidates who make it to the second round will be asked to take a written test.
A senior officer in charge of recruitment and training said that the post of constable had no takers in the recent past but has regained its glory due to the recession. No surprise then that applicants include graduates and post-graduates while the minimum qualification is II Pre-University Course, he said.
Job security, pension and other benefits, like health insurance, family welfare and canteen facilities, are the main attractions, he said. The other reason for the demand is a fair chance to get promotions based on departmental examination, merit and qualification, he added.
The State government is saddled with 22,000 vacancies in the police department in Bangalore alone. It has allowed the department to recruit 8,500 personnel in a phased manner.
Though the city police welcomed the decision, senior officers say that this number would not meet their needs. On an average 500 personnel retire every year. However, no recruitment has taken place in the last four years.
“Though 2,798 police personnel will be inducted soon, it would take at least two years for them to complete training and join the force,” a senior police officer explained. Until then, the department will have to manage with the existing 14,000 personnel.
