Spain’s Guardia Civil has launched a recruitment drive encouraging more women to join up, with 1,671 vacancies announced.
The Guardia Civil is the oldest law enforcement Agency in Spain and is one of two national police forces.
As a national gendarmerie force, it is military in nature and is responsible for civil policing under the authority of both the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence.
Currently just 8.57 per cent of the Guardia Civil is made up of women — roughly 6,665 officers.
The Agency’s plan is to increase female participation to 25 per cent.
The recruitment campaign is primarily focused on social media with applicants needing to be between the ages of 18 and 40, they must also have Spanish nationality, be in possession of a driver’s licence and be more than 1.55 metres tall.
Most importantly, they must not have a criminal record.
Applicants are to be put through intellectual aptitudes and physical tests, as well as personal interviews.
In a change to previous restrictions, applicants with tattoos will be considered provided they the tattoos are not of expressions or images contrary to constitutional values or anti-police.
Women have become increasingly important to the Guardia Civil, with one in five of the past two graduations being female.
They are also playing an increasingly important role at a senior level with eight women currently holding the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Madrid, 4 July 2022
