The pay may be just `5,000 per month, but that didn’t stop dozens of highly qualified persons from queuing up at the recruitment drive for the Tamil Nadu Special Police Youth Brigade here on Monday.
Sources said that among the 433 aspirants, who appeared for the test, a majority possessed qualifications ranging from degrees in Arts to post graduation in business management, biology and psychology.
For many of them, not money, but the opportunity to serve the society and a chance to join the regular police force were the reasons for undergoing the tests. The aspirants were tested for their endurance, strength and stamina.
According to Velusamy (23), a PG and BEd holder, “Though I will not be a part of the regular police force, I will be working for it and serving the public. Being a part of the brigade would enhance my chances of getting into the force.”
When asked about the rigorous physical test the aspirants were made to undergo, G Ramar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Head Quarters, said candidates were first allowed to choose between the 100 m and 400 m sprint, followed by either choosing to participate in a long jump or a high jump event. The idea was ensure the candidates had stamina, he said.
The tests also involved rope climbing and a gruelling 1,500 metre run, which had to be completed within seven minutes, he added.
Rajesh Kumar (25), a graduate in business administration, said the theory paper comprising questions based on Mathematics, Science, GK and Tamil, was relatively easier.