Why We Do Not Recruit Short People - Kenya Police

Appearing before a recently concluded Senate committee, the National Police Service Commission sought to explain why short people are excluded from recruitment. 

The Commission's CEO Peter Leley stated that short people are deemed incapable to confront criminals, leading to the establishment of minimum height and weight requirements for applicants. Men must be at least 5.8ft tall and 54.55kg, while women must be 5.3ft and 50kg. Female candidates are not permitted to be pregnant during recruitment or training. 
 
“With due respect to short people and I am not saying they cannot do the job, taller people are seen as capable of executing an arrest. They are able to pin down a criminal as they are also heavier. How do you expect a 1GB person to pin down a heavyweight,” he posed.

Lesley argued that most criminals are strong hence the need for officers to match their physical capabilities. Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago dissented, saying height and weight should not be criteria to recruit youth into the Directorate of Criminal Investigation. The Kenya National Police Service is divided into three branches: Kenya Police Service, Kenya Administrative Police Service, and Directorate of Criminal Investigation.

Recruitment for the police force has recently come under sharp scrutiny, prompting leaders to call for changes to the criteria used. Academic qualifications, height, physical fitness, and overall health are all considered when assessing potential officers. Once chosen, they must serve under the National Police Service Commission for a minimum of 10 years, with the possibility of being released early if they become unfit to serve due to medical issues, mental health, or corruption. Before being allowed to join, recruits must complete a 15-month training program, including a 3-month internship.