The Minister of Internal Affairs, Besfort Lamallari, signed the order to review the age limit for admission to the State Police, expanding opportunities for young people, experienced professionals and employees coming from other security structures.
According to Lamallari, the decision comes in response to numerous requests addressed to the minister through social networks and direct communications, from citizens who wish to join the State Police and contribute to the security of the country and its citizens.
According to the order, the age limit for admission to the Police is revised up to 35 years for candidates who have completed higher secondary education and intend to engage in enforcement roles, including service in the General Patrol, through attending Basic College.
Within the same age limit, up to 35 years old, candidates who intend to enter the Police structures in the first leadership role, with the rank of Deputy Commissioner, can also pursue Bachelor's studies at the Security Academy.
New opportunities are also being created for professionals with higher education. People who have completed the second cycle of higher education studies, with appropriate profiles, such as economics, finance, information technology, etc., can be accepted into their first management role up to the age of 40, after completing a specialized course for deputy commissioners.
Meanwhile, for employees coming from other security institutions, when they meet the established criteria and pass the relevant admission procedures, there will be no age restriction.
The Minister of Interior described the decision-making as a step towards creating more equal opportunities to join the State Police, taking into consideration not only age, but also the level of education, qualifications and professional experience of the candidates.
"This is a fair decision-making process, which offers equal opportunities in relation to everyone's commitment and experience, without being penalized by rigid criteria applied uniformly to candidates with different educational and professional levels," the minister said.
"The vocation for security, the renewal of the police organization and its strengthening based on the previous experiences of new arrivals guide our mission for a more professional, stronger and closer police force to citizens," said Lamallari.
In 2021, the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination has dropped the age criterion of up to 30 years for applicants who want to be part of the competition at the basic school of the State Police. This age criterion was considered discriminatory, and the Ministry of Interior was asked to review it.