Police Recruitment(Height Regulations)

Mr. Gwilym Roberts
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in his assessment of the height regulations for male recruits for the police, if he will estimate the number of additional recruits-----------------------------
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to police forces which could be obtained by amending the height regulations to bring the minimum height for men into line with that for women at approximately 5 ft. 4 in.

Mr. Merlyn Rees
The police entry standards, including the height requirement, are set in relation to the demands of police work. Chief officers of police are bound to take these demands into account when considering the suitability of individual candidates for appointment as constables. I do not, therefore, think that it would be profitable to attempt to estimate the number of additional recruits who could be obtained if there were a general reduction in the height requirement.