SHORTER Local Police officers will now be on the beat in Madrid after the city council axed minimum height requirements which it said was 'discrimination'.
The right-wing PP-led local government accepted its rival socialists' proposal, and the lower height limit of 1.65 metres (5'5”) has now been scrapped.
Guardia Civil officers' campaign to reduce minimum heights in their force has been successful – in February, Spain's government agreed the lower limits of 1.65m for men and 1.6m (5'3”) for women could be reduced to 1.6m for men and 1.55m (5'1”) for women.
Now, Madrid city council considers this should set a precedent for its Local Police brigade, where the minimum height is even taller than in the Guardia Civil.
The municipal force's women have to be at least 1.65m and men, 1.7m (5'7”), which the socialists consider 'excessive', especially for women where the minimum is slightly above the national average of 1.6m.
Although changing these rules is outside the jurisdiction of the local council, the parties agreed to put their request to the regional government, which has the power to make the decision.
“There are lots of vacancies pending in Madrid's Local Police force, lots of exam sessions to convene, and we don't want the next round of recruitments to discriminate against women,” a council spokesperson said.
Whilst the heights stated also discriminate against men, it is more likely a male applicant will be 5'7” or taller than a female applicant 5'5” or more.
