Height restrictions in French policing end
France has ended restrictions barring people under 5ft 3in from joining the police force.
The country of Napoleon imposed minimum height requirements for police centuries ago, raising them over the decades as the average size of Frenchmen rose, but the rules have come to be seen as discriminatory.
"Entry into all active categories of the national police is no longer reserved for candidates whose height exceeds 5ft 3ins," the French Labour Ministry said . "From now on the conditions of entry will be linked exclusively to ability to carry out the duties."