The Central Security Forces, who are mostly recruited from among military conscripts, are set to be revamped, as soldiers will be recruited this year from among secondary schools graduates in an effort to improve the force, a security source told Al-Masry Al-Youm.
Under the existing policy, the military has its pick of the most qualified candidates, and then refers the less qualified and often less educated recruits to the Central Security Forces.
The Central Security Forces are estimated to have between 150,000 and 300,000 recruits, recommended from the armed forces, that work under the command of the Interior Ministry. They are responsible for combating riots, terrorism and smuggling.
The Central Forces, which former President Hosni Mubarak often used to combat demonstrations and sit-ins, declared a mutiny in 1986, following a rumor that the government was considering extending their service terms for an extra year.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
