MAKKAH, 13 May 2007 — Since late Friday night, thousands of potential rookies gathered in front of the Public Security Training City in Makkah looking for jobs, with many — coming from towns and villages outside Makkah — sleeping in their cars, following news that the authorities were recruiting 1,500 new police officers.
However, many of the youngsters were turned away disappointed after not meeting the height requirement.
Head of Public Security in Makkah Col. Marzuk Al-Khamash said, “This opportunity is given to each and every citizen, who is willing to serve his country, its leader and religion. Prospective candidates need to be 168 cm tall, aged between 17-30, have a high school certificate or a compatible one from a vocational institution (with an 89 percent or above pass mark), an ID card and six passport-size photographs.”
He added, “Candidates need to be Saudi nationals, of good moral conduct and without a criminal record. If they have computer or language certificates, then this would also add credits to their applications.”
Many candidates said the height requirement needed to be revised since most of them were not tall enough to qualify.
So far 500 applicants have been accepted. Jobs on offer include posts as checkpoint officers and traffic officers.
Hassan ibn Daifullah Al-Husaini, manager of the Registration Department at the Public Security Training City in Makkah, said they hope to accept 1,500 applicants and that priority would be given to candidates who have high high-school grades.
“Three police officers and 30 other staff members have been busy organizing the applicants,” he said, adding that the applications are received at the window and then verified to ensure they are accurate. “Prospective candidates are also made to undergo medical checks. The registration process will continue for the next two weeks,” he added.
