Job crisis: MTech graduates become police constables

Vijayawada: Graduates and post-graduate degree holders are taking up jobs in the police, thanks mostly to the job security they can enjoy but also driven by a desire to serve the people.

Of the 5,863 personnel who recently their completed training as sub-inspectors and constables are engineers, MTech, MCA, MBA and post-graduate degree holders. Only 1,344 new constables have an Intermediate pass, the basic eligibility criterion,

Many of the new cops had different motivations to join the police.

Ms M Firoza Fathima, who completed her training as sub-inspector, said, “I am a chemical engineer from JNTU Kakinada. I was always told by companies that there were no jobs for women as they could not provide security in industrial areas during job trials."

“It disappointed me and made me feel ashamed to survive in a society where there is no protection for women. Therefore I applied for the police,” Ms Fathima said. 

Other SIs, who hold BTech and MTech degrees, said a job with the police gave them the opportunity to serve the public. “We preferred the khaki after shunning white collar jobs,” a new recruit said. They said layoffs and lack of job security had become common in the IT industry. A job with the police would give them security and the satisfaction of serving the needy.

The police has given them all round training including in legal matters, swimming, handwriting, driving, using MS Office and administering first aid. They also had classes on drone flying awareness, forensic medicine, police applications, technology in policing, English language proficiency and reporting crime.

Job security, pressure also reasons for shift

Lack of suitable opportunities in the job market, huge pressure and tension-filled work environment, targets, continuous assessments, market slumps and unsecured jobs in the private sector are turning highly educated youths towards government jobs.

Dignity, respect, power and opportunity to serve the public are attracting the youth towards the police. They are helped by the availability of good coaching for police recruitment tests. 
The competitive exams coaching centres situated in Guntur and Vijayawada do a roaring business.

Director of a private coaching centre, J. Venkateswara Rao, said that a position in the police department meant “power” job which gives the cop reputation and respect in society.

He said that apart from job security, the police job also afforded the candidates pension, medical treatment, easier norms of working and government benefits. 
He said that earlier highly educated persons were reluctant to join lower cadre jobs but were now taking to them as there is a chance to secure promotions through departmental tests.