The challenging exam of the candidates for the municipal police officer

Izmir Metropolitan Municipality has opened an exam to strengthen its municipal police organization with new officers. While 99 people were entitled to participate in the exam for 36 positions, the physical fitness test especially challenged the young municipal police candidates.

The exam opened by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Municipal Police Department for the recruitment of 36 municipal police officers received applications from 99 candidates. Only candidates who graduated from the Bachelor’s program in Physical Education and Sports from universities and from the Justice Vocational School and scored at least 65 points in the Public Personnel Selection Exam (KPSS) were allowed to participate in the exam, which witnessed fierce competition among the candidates who met the criteria.

There was also participation from outside the city

The exam required candidates to be under 30 years old and for women to be at least 1.60 meters tall and men at least 1.67 meters tall. Some candidates tried to lose weight to meet the weight requirement before entering the exam, while others worked to gain weight. Candidates who came from various cities, in addition to Izmir, first sweated in sports branches and then participated in the interview to become officers.

Strengthening the municipal police organization

Vedat Ayyıldız, a Municipal Police Chief working in the Municipal Police Inspection Branch, stated that the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Municipal Police Department would gain strength with new recruitments, saying, “Our goal is to provide better and quality service to the people of Izmir. Candidates participated in sports interviews in four branches: 1000-meter run, 100-meter obstacle race, push-ups, and sit-ups. The purpose of their participation in these exams is to measure their physical condition and test their endurance. With the addition of our colleagues, the municipal police organization will be able to intervene more effectively, efficiently, and quickly to negative incidents. We will be able to respond more quickly to citizens’ complaints. We need more colleagues to serve the city better.”

They faced difficulties at times

Candidate Vedat Kaynak indicated that the exam was not as difficult as he expected. Kaynak stated, “I expected slightly bigger obstacles. I was just not trained. That was a bit challenging for me. Overall, it was nice.” Hussein Izmir also said, “We started with the course. There was running and an obstacle course. After that, we did push-ups and sit-ups. These were not very familiar courses for us. Generally, I struggled in the uphill section while running. Sit-ups were also a bit challenging.”

“I hope I will succeed”

Gökay Kavak, who came from Ankara to take the exam, said, “It was a challenging exam, but despite the difficulties, we finished. I hope I will succeed. The municipal police profession is beautiful. You are constantly in communication with citizens. It is a profession that serves the safety of the city and aims to create better living spaces. I believe I can do this profession very well. I hope to pass all the exams successfully.”

“I am ready to do this profession”

Ali Aydoğan, who also came from Ankara to take the exam, said, “I started preparing immediately after I saw the exam announcement. I worked for a month and a half. Since there was a weight condition, I lost 13 kilograms. I put in effort, I hope it works out. The exam went better than I expected. I got nervous, the course seemed daunting, but when I stepped onto the field, my excitement faded. I am ready for this profession both physically and mentally.”

Gained weight to qualify for the exam

Sude Şahin stated that she gained weight to be able to take the exam due to the weight limit, saying, “I knew there would be a course when coming for the exam. The running part was very challenging for me. Other than that, it wasn’t too difficult. When I came on the first day of application, I was 2 kilograms short, so I had to gain weight. I gained 3 kilograms and re-applied. I ate a lot. This job is my dream. When I was a child, we would go to camps with my parents. Municipal police teams would come to check the facilities there. It caught my attention a lot. At that moment, I decided to become a municipal police officer. When I saw that a position was opened, I applied immediately. If I succeed in the exams and start my job, I will be a dedicated employee. I will truly love my job.”

An unemployed physical education teacher also participated

Ruken Kaplan, who came from Diyarbakır to take the exam, said, “I was excited. Being excited and stressed helps me run better. I was among the first in the 1000-meter run. I’m happy; I think it was a nice exam.” Esra Zilek, an unemployed physical education teacher, also tried her luck for the municipal police position. Zilek said, “I come from Istanbul. As soon as I heard the announcement, I came with my husband and son and applied. The fact that it is in Izmir also attracted me. I was very happy to learn that I had the right to take the exam. When my application was accepted, I immediately started working out. I would wake up every morning and run. During those days, my son would also go for walks with my mother-in-law in a stroller. I am a physical education teacher. It was a bit more challenging than I expected, but it was a nice exam.”

She outpaced her competitors in the run

Ezgi Çankaya explained that she has been involved in many sports for years and is trained, saying, “Therefore, I outpaced my competitors in the run. I am trained. I have a sports background. If selected, I believe that Izmir Metropolitan Municipality will gain a hardworking, disciplined municipal police officer who strives to do their job in the best way possible.” The eagerly awaited exam results, which will only accept 36 officers, will be announced in the coming days. The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Municipal Police organization, which has a norm staff number of 961, is currently trying to serve with 463 officers.