Future constables: Candidates for police to take emotional intelligence test

To be evaluated by panel of RTO, DPO and specialized psychologist

PESHAWAR:

Upon completion of a physical endurance and written test for recruitment to the post of constables through the National Testing Service, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police has decided to evaluate the emotional intelligence of successful candidates before their final enlistment.

The emotional intelligence test has been introduced for the first time as a substitute for the interview in order to eliminate the element of discretion and nepotism, stated a handout issued on Thursday. The emotional intelligence test will be conducted by a panel comprising a specialized psychologist, relevant regional police officer and district police officer.

A workshop of around 12 specialized psychologists was also held at the Central Police Office on Thursday. During the workshop, the psychologists were briefed by DIG Training, DIG Headquarters and AIG Establishment about the requirements of the police department and the expected level of emotional intelligence that K-P police expects to have in its recruits. Upon completion of the workshop, the participants held a meeting with K-P IGP Nasir Khan Durrani, who briefed participants about his expectations from them.

The IGP said the inclusion of specialized individuals with the objective of ascertaining the candidates’ emotional intelligence and inclination towards extremism will have multiple benefits for the force as it will ensure an end to favouritism and also ensure appropriate men are selected for the job.

The decision to introduce the emotional intelligence test instead of an interview will definitely add legitimacy and transparency to the recruitment of constables in the K-P police, said the statement.

Expressing their trust and confidence over the K-P police department’s decision to conduct recruitment of police constables through the National Testing Service, more than 37,000 candidates applied for just 1,500 vacancies in the recruitment process. The recruitment of constables through NTS was conducted at DI Khan, Bannu, Kohat, Peshawar, Mardan, Mingora, Timergara, Chitral, Abbottabad and Mansehra simultaneously.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2014.