The state home department has amended the rules for recruitment of police constables with an aim to hire candidates who are sea swimmers. The government plans to depute these recruits at police stations that have coastal areas under their jurisdiction so that they can help rescue people during drowning incidents. The state has 720km of coast spread over seven districts - Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban, Palghar, Thane, Ratnagiri, Raigad and Sindhudurg.
The government has amended the Maharashtra Police Constable (Recruitment) Rules 2011 and said that candidates who fulfil the physical and educational qualification criteria may appear for the additional physical fitness test which carries 15 marks and is optional.
As per the new rule, male candidates will be given a maximum of 10 marks for swimming up to 50 m in sea in uniform and for women aspirants, it is 25 m. The remaining five marks will be given (for both male and female candidates) for their capacity to float on sea water for three minutes.
Source: Times of India