Spanish police need balls of steel - really

Tag : Balls Of Steel

Madrid - Medical experts are urging the Spanish government torevise the list of reasons for excluding men from the Civil Guardpolice force which include having a high-pitched voice or only onetesticle.

Candidates of either sex who suffer from psoriasis, stuttering,diabetes, migraine or sexually transmitted diseases can also berejected, the El Pais newspaper said.

"It is possible to reject a candidate with a benign tumour, a scaror a deformity that affects his looks. Lacking genitals or speakingwith a high voice can also be an insurmountable barrier."

The newspaper cited the case of a man who was refused entry in 2003because of a birthmark on his face, which the police authoritiessaid would make him too recognisable.

Medical experts are urging the government to revise the list theysay is obsolete and based on prejudices from previous eras, notcurrent scientific knowledge.