Too short to be a cop

With all the boxes ticked to be selected in 2018, Karen Blake* headed to a recruitment drive being held by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in the resort town of Negril in the western end of the island. This was her dream job. There was no plan B.

But she was rejected for being too short – five feet, three inches – something she believes should not be a consideration in a more intelligent and technology-driven world, and with all the advancements in solving crime.

“I was devastated because all I wanted since high school was to be a police officer. This is my dream job,” said the 26-year-old resident of Whithorn in Westmoreland, who is an avid follower of the JCF on social media, posting police recruiting events on her status.

Determined, Blake reapplied a year later when the recruiters held a job fair at Godfrey Stewart High School in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, but was rejected once again.

“My height should not be the cause of my rejection, because I have something to offer but they turned me away without testing my ability,” Blake told The Sunday Gleaner.

“Whithorn is known for criminality, but in leaving high school, I wanted to be a standout by achieving the unthinkable and doing what I love.”

“But I will not give up on my dream because I know of someone who was rejected before but recently graduated, so there is hope for me. They will see me making a third try,” she said with a chuckle.

Since 2007, the JCF has intensified its recruitment drive to select suitable individuals to join its ranks. But some who are willing to serve and protect, convinced they have value to offer their country, have been rejected by the force for various reasons, leaving them disappointed and puzzled.

Attracting the brightest and the best has been a part of the thrust to modernise the 152-year-old organisation, which includes upgrading the entry requirements and expanding educational qualification in keeping with international standards.

Over the years the JCF has also expanded its offering, with multiple divisions geared at taking a comprehensive approach to fighting crime. It was on this basis that some young Jamaicans voiced their disappointment last week, sharing stories of being denied the opportunity to assist in taming the crime monster. After going through various steps of the recruitment process, elated that they were finally realising their dream of serving their country, they were denied, each for different reasons.

“They said I couldn’t be accepted because I wear glasses,” Adam* said.

“I have a medical condition, which disqualified me,” Samantha* noted.

Adam added, “I think their recruitment policy is discriminatory. No one is perfect, a lot of persons are affected with something, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a lot to offer. We know we have something good to offer to help with the crime rate we keep talking about.”

According to the JCF’s website, eligible applicants must be 18-30 years old and must “meet the medical and psychological standards for the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Be physically fit and healthy and able to undertake the physical requirements of training.”

It also said male applicants must be minimum height of five feet, seven inches and a minimum weight of 135lb. For females, minimum height is five feet, five inches, and minimum weight 125lb.

However, the JCF noted, “the recruiting officer has the authority to waive the above guidelines based on special circumstances and the applicant”.