Is 5'6" too short to be an effective police officer? I really want to be an officer, but am I too short?

Steven C

You are not to short I have a person under me that is 5 foot 2 and does just fine.

my2cents

No you are not too short. If the department has a height requirement, then you are out of luck but many departments do not have a height requirement. Cops are not good because they are tall. That's not enough. They must be able to make quick decisions and handle difficult people effectively. Most of police work is communication and common sense. Why do you want to be an officer? Do you know what it's about?

jhh

I don't think your short at all. I've seen great police officer that height and even shorter.

redvelvetflames4ever

My brother is 5'3. Was a recognized karate kick boxer, power-lifter (nationals), boxer, etc... He's a Baltimore Police Officer. My other brother is 5'7 and was a college wrestler. He's a Baltimore Police Officer. Hope this answers your question.

Starieberry

no you're not too short.

joeanonymous

I'm 5'2" and I manage to do my job quite well (if I do say so myself). Yes, you'd probably be more likely to get your butt kicked than someone who is 6'5" and 285lbs, but that shouldn't stop you from going for it.

single occupant

Height is not might. Some of the nimblest and quickest fighters are little guys. Yeah, they are often show fighters like Jet Li or Jackie Chan... but seriously, would you want to mess with them?

One of the great secrets of effective combat is to have a lower center of gravity than your opponent. It makes them lose their balance over-extending to reach you; and by being small you can gain an inside position and employ leg sweeps and such niceties much more effectively than they.

Weight, in fighting is more defining than height. A light guy doesn't want to get hit by a heavier guy too much... but then a light guy can dodge better.

All balances out.

Go ahead. Be a cop, if that's what floats your boat.

Just be a good one, and remember you for the rest of us...

j d

Being short has nothing to do with being a Police Officer.....As long as your not over weight..
The worst *** beating I ever got was from a little dude......

student

I have worked undercover narcotics and have worked with women AND men that have been shorter than me and I am only 5'4". So, I guess it all depends on what type of duties you want to have and where you are located. Hopefully it will not be a problem and I doubt that it will. If an officer is your dream well, then reach for the stars. Make some calls to your local/state agencies that you are interested in and find out. Good luck!!

LAWDOGG

The Chief of Police in my town is 5' 4". He's been a cop for quite a while and he is very good at what he does. It's not the size of the dog in the fight...It's the size of the fight in the dog!

Phoenix

when i was in prison, the TOUGHEST guys were all short. no joke. everyone learned to avoid the short guys because they got picked on and learned to be vicious.

it's all in how you present yourself - if you bark loudly - people will respect you - 5'6" = plenty tall to be an effective police
officer.

good luck

charlsyeh

some department will have a hiring policy that you can not be below a certain height.you will be very close to that restriction.the job will be extremely hard for you because of your height.being a police officer is nothing like it looks from the outside.it is hard enough without having to worry about you being so short.
----retired texas deputy sheriff----

Dan W

A good friend of mine has been working for the New Mexico State Police for years, and he's about 5-3. He is very effective at his job and yet very congenial and easy to get along with. The short guy complex does not seem to afflict this guy, nor does anyone take him any less seriously as an officer.

You can do anything you want and do it well if you set your mind to it.

timbugtiny

I know in CA there is no longer a height requirement, has not been for many years. I could not tell you about other states.

Jussy.rose

I've seen quite a few short police officers, in the past and in the present. In Melbourne we have anti discrimitory laws, that means its against the law to not hire someone who is short, chubby, of another race, gender, etc etc. I think it might depend on the burea your going for, but the Police acardemy you go to wont care abit! and if one burea rejects you soley on your height, you can just go to a different suburb and apply there. Of course your not too short to be an effective Police officer, you have the passion, your even worrying about your height! when it comes to doing a good job.
Go for it! theres other short police officers out there, and it doesnt mean they are any less capable then the tall ones!

Danny Lightning

you sure about that.. i never heard of a height requirement for that.. maybee it depends on the state.. i know a few short police men..

Geoff C

some departments have heigth requirements you just need to check with the department you want to work for.

5 6 is usually ok.

Some department go on the assumption that there night be situations where the officer might have to climb over something and if they are too short they might not be able to do it.

insp.harrycallahan

Not if you're a lady.

Josh

Call the department you want to work for and ask if they have a height requirement. Most departments don't anymore, and the ones that do are usually 5'3 or 5'4. I don't know if there's a particular type of officer you want to be or not, but surely between your local police department, county sheriff, and highway patrol/state troopers, one of them will let you apply.

It's My Turn

ahh...good question i am only 1 inch taller than you. if you really want to be a police officer then go for it, forget the height. just work out alot and put on some muscle if you havent already. hit the gym, eat solid food and get buff so you can take someone down, the height thing is against you but theres no reason why you cant make use of the other things you have. once again, hit the gym, work hard and i think youll be a great officer

ahsoasho2u2

big and tall went out with EEOC. CANNOT DISCRIMINATE ON HEIGHT. BUT CAN YOU DO THE PHYSICAL AGILITY COURSE IF YOU CANNOT REACH THE CHIN BAR TO PULL YOURSELF UP?

chad k

don't worry, the jack boots they give you will make you several inches taller. and then you'll get to be a good little nazi storm trooper.

Flea

Be a detective or something non physical. You are way to short to be a police officer your gun would drag on the ground and your night stick would be like a crutch.

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