THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As 800 police personnel retired yesterday and appointments had been made in advance for vacancies until June, immediate appointment from the current rank list of around 5,000 individuals is impossible. In March, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan disclosed that 5,635 vacancies were reported to the PSC and 5,279 recommendations were received for the post of Police Constable.

Among the reported vacancies, 4,325 were in the male category, 744 in the female category and 557 in the scheduled category. 396 vacancies were reported to address the under-representation of Scheduled Tribes, 31 vacancies from previous recruitment, and 1,400 temporary posts including 200 for women police, were created by September 2023. PSC was notified in advance of these vacancies until June 2024. Besides this, 155 vacancies in the Cyber Division have also been filled. Out of the reported vacancies, 356 posts including 50 for women, were filled. Apart from the 1,400 temporary posts, 613 instructor posts have also been approved by the government.

There are two cadres: Armed Forces Battalion and Civil Police. Vacancies in the post of CPO in Civil Police are filled through by-transfer from police constables in battalions. Subsequently, constable vacancies in the battalions are filled through the PSC. Appointments to 7 battalions are made from the 5,000 rank list.

Temporary appointments are on the way due to the creation of temporary posts after the DGP informed the government that it is not possible to appoint all the recruits as constables and completely fill the vacancies.

Individuals who do not qualify in the medical test or do not get clearance due to being accused in criminal cases will have to be excluded from the PSC appointees. This is one reason why the vacant posts cannot be filled immediately.

Due to the intensity and duration of the training, many people do not complete it. Those who do complete the training often leave the police service when they find other jobs. Women may leave due to pregnancy and other physical difficulties. As a result, vacancies still remain.