TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taiwan Constitutional Court ruled on Friday (May 31) that a requirement setting a minimum height for firefighters and police officers is unconstitutional.
The court's decision, Constitutional Court's Judgment 113-Hsien-Pan-5 of 2024 (113年憲判字第6號判決) invalidates the provision within one year of the ruling. It was passed following oral arguments held in January.
Previously, Article 8, Paragraph 1 of the Examination for General Police Officers Rules (一般警察人員考試規則) disqualified applicants under 165 cm for men and 160 cm for women. Indigenous people faced slightly lower height requirements.
The court's decision stemmed from a case involving a woman named Chen (陳). She passed the civil service exam for firefighters and police in 2018 but was disqualified due to her height of 158.9 cm.
After losing an administrative lawsuit, Chen petitioned for a constitutional review. The court's decision eliminates height restrictions and promotes equal opportunity for individuals seeking careers in firefighting and law enforcement.
The court ruled the height requirement discriminates against female applicants. It also goes against the principle of equal protection under the law enshrined in Article 7 of the Constitution, which states "all citizens are equal before the law."