5'4/140 Male

[NYPDkiD26]

Guys hows it going, i need some opinions here im currently 19 in college.. kinda confused on what to do in the future career wise, im currently a liberal arts major and a couple of months ago i passed my police officer exam.... being part of the NYPD sounds like an exciting/cool experience i actually have a few friends that are cops here in new york.. though sometimes i think i might be too short to be a cop lol nevertheless ive been pulled over by a cop shorter than me here in new york lol.... Im 5'4 140... lets say i go up to 160-170 should that be fine for me to join or would my height still be an issue??????

[bxhousing]

You will be fine. Good Luck.

[GrayPatriot]

You will have no problems, except from the mindless aholes like me that will have fun at your expense...

Now next time stand up when your are talking to me :D

[Letmypeoplego]

You will have no problems, except from the mindless aholes like me that will have fun at your expense...

Now next time stand up when your are talking to me :D


and don't forget your shinebox!;)

[gbotj]

theres currently a midget in the NYPD (ive seen the picture) I think shes 4'8. From what I'm told shes actually a good cop, and a stand up cop (pardon the pun).

[codese7en]

There's hope for us shorties yet (I'm 5'7) ...

[NYPDkiD26]

really helpful and comical thanks gaypatriot lol but yea maybe i will give this law enforcement thing a try hey its always cool to park anywhere u want haha gbot where did u see the picture???

[OTVFD18]

I had the same worries before, too. Check out this topic...
http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62524&highlight=short

[gbotj]

when the recruit graduated the academy and was assigned to her command she took a picture with 2 other cops, someone got the second copy and passed it around, it was sent to me from a buddy.

[VikingChick]

You ought to be fine. I know a lot of short people that do just fine in law enforcement or the military. I had a commanding officer in the military once who was 5'2"- believe me, everyone took him seriously.

You do realize you called GrayPatriot 'gay patriot', right? :D

[jmat1980]

I know a guy who is about 5'5, maybe 5'6 who is a State Trooper in MA. Your height shouldnt be a problem, especially in NYC

[NYPDkiD26]

niceeee... i guess i just might have to get my weight up a little bit more maybe 160 or so....

[msw]

I know a guy who is about 5'5, maybe 5'6 who is a State Trooper in MA. Your height shouldnt be a problem, especially in NYC

I would have loved to have gotten on the MA State Police back in the mid-70's when I lived in MA, but at 5'6", I was too short...... I think all MA Troopers back then were 6'0" or bigger..... mostly bigger! But I've been a cop now 30+ years in Calif, worked patrol at the tough stations in South Central L.A. for many years, never had a "problem" ......but I'm also not "small", been a weight-lifter for years (decades, actually), was involved in martial arts a lot when I was younger, and I think these things aided my "street demeanor" and confidence level (in a postive manner). I think bad guys can actually sense/read this, and are probably less likely to give a cop a hard time if they perceive that "trying him on" might not go well for them! Anyway, I think that overall, demeanor and command presence is more important than physical size...... I've seen big guys that didn't have "it" and they were continually challenged by the as^holes on the street, who are verygood at sensing weakness in potential adversaries. You just need to develop a demeanor and command presence that lets people know you are "in charge", without appearing overbearing or having it seem like you have a "short man's complex". And if you don't already have it, start taking some boxing or martial arts training (any kind, really) which will give you physical "fighting" skills to fall back on when you need them (and you will, at some point!) and give you confidence, too. And then, finally: You have to have a thick skin! Because whatever happens in the field, you are always gonna be the subject of (hopefully good-natured) ribbing and jokes from all your co-workers over 5'8", who think they are God's gift to the world! You just gotta get used to it!

[redstormgsr]

niceeee... i guess i just might have to get my weight up a little bit more maybe 160 or so....


Hey I am 5'8" and 170......i work out and it has helped me put on solid weight over the last few years...........drink plenty of water hit the weights and run. These are the key ingredients to building some mass. Eat like hell, since your small it won't hurt your buildup. I used to weigh 130lbs 3 years ago!!

[GrayPatriot]

You ought to be fine. I know a lot of short people that do just fine in law enforcement or the military. I had a commanding officer in the military once who was 5'2"- believe me, everyone took him seriously.

You do realize you called GrayPatriot 'gay patriot', right? :D

Hey, I didn't pick up on that.

I had a squad leader in the military who may not have been even 5'2" but this guy was tough as nails. He was Ranger qualified and had been to most military schools (infantry schools).