Stating that the Tamilnadu police department is doing a yeoman's job in maintaining peace, preventing and solving crimes, controlling traffic and carrying out relief works during natural disasters, the Chief Minister said the total jobs in the department were 1.13 lakh.
This, she said, amounts to one police personnel for 635 people. And as per 1 January 2012, only 82 per cent of total vacancies have been filled.
'To address this, I had ordered the appointment of 12,208 police personnel through Tamilnadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board,' she said and added that a written exam was conducted by the board following her oder.
'Physical tests were also conducted and the recruited personnel are undergoing medical tests now,' she said.
Stating that they could be inducted into service only after seven months of training, the Chief Minister said, 'Having this in mind and also the need to create an additional number of 19,096 police posts, apart from the issue of thousands of police personnel getting retired from service every year, I would like to announce the creation of Tamilnadu Special Youth Police Force.'
She said the newly recruited youngsters will be utilised to control the traffic, night patrolling and driving among other jobs of the police department.
The Chief Minister said youngsters from 18 to 30 years are eligible to join the force. 'They have to write a test based on which the selections will be made. They will be given a honorarium of Rs 7.500 per month. Also, they will be allowed to make use of special stores which sell essentials to police personnel at subsidised rates. Also, they will be given rice, wheat, sugar, dhal at subsidised prices,' she said.
Jayalalithaa said that those who successfully and satisfactorily complete one year period under the special force would become eligible for induction in the police department. 'A particular percentage in police vacancies every year will be reserved for these people,' she added.
