Height Requirements

**futurele19** · 02-16-10, 11:14 AM

Hi Everyone, My first post here. First off, thanks for having this forum for allowing us to discuss these matters.

I wanted to get the opinion of folks here on if there is any height requirements for being a Law Enforcement Officer. I am only 5'4. I am a Hispanic male with a B.S. degree with honors. I am fluent in Spanish, English, and French. Very fit, active and exercise daily. I was thinking about applying to Federal as well as City Law Enforcement positions but think my height will be a negative. HAve you all had smaller frame males in your departments, trainings, boot camp, etc?

What do you all think? Comments?

Thanks

**Pudge** · 02-16-10, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by futurele19

Hi Everyone, My first post here. First off, thanks for having this forum for allowing us to discuss these matters.

I wanted to get the opinion of folks here on if there is any height requirements for being a Law Enforcement Officer. I am only 5'4. I am a Hispanic male with a B.S. degree with honors. I am fluent in Spanish, English, and French. Very fit, active and exercise daily. I was thinking about applying to Federal as well as City Law Enforcement positions but think my height will be a negative. HAve you all had smaller frame males in your departments, trainings, boot camp, etc?

What do you all think? Comments?

Thanks

Your shortness of stature shouldn't have any ill effects on getting hired or doing the job for that matter. I know several officers your size and they were hired without question, and perform the job the same as everyone else.

**Five-0** · 02-16-10, 11:23 AM

Not like it used to be. You being fluent in Spanish will be a big plus. The height thing is something old guys told me used to be an unofficial requirment back in the day. Apply away. One of our newest hires was from Cuba. He is smaller in stature, but his Spanish is a huge benefit to our agency.

**Cidp24** · 02-16-10, 11:32 AM

I don't know of any agency around here that has a height requirement.

Where is Lew when you need him??

**Twan007** · 02-16-10, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Cidp24

I don't know of any agency around here that has a height requirement.

Where is Lew when you need him??

I was thinking the same thing

matter of fact I've got a really good friend who's 5-3, he's gonna be on motors (second on the list) and our guys ride Harley Road Kings... keep telling him he's gonna have to get platform boots to be able to touch the ground

I love having the smaller frames around - it's someone who can get into those hard to reach places

good luck

**jmur5074** · 02-16-10, 01:15 PM

I'm the tiniest guy on my dept (weight, not height) and have not had any issues.

I'm not aware of any depts with a minimum height requirement.

In the 50's my dept. required you be at least 5'9"...but that's obviously since been thrown out the window.

**lewisipso** · 02-16-10, 02:09 PM

Ask and ye shall receive. I am here.
Now. If every single department on the face of the earth would throw out most of their requirements and settle for a requirement of commonsense the face of law enforcement would be better off.
I'm kidding. Although requirements are necessary in some instances height requirements are not. I have never been on the "normal" growth path. I am 5'3" so you have me by an inch. I do not know of any departments that have a height requirement. However you can and may be dismissed for your height, it will be stated as something else. Applying in places with civil service helps but is not a sure thing. As I once had a Chief tell me I can hire and fire anyone I want as long as I am willing to challenge the board.
There is not a lot of enforcement issues that I have not been involved in and by the end of this year I'll have a total of 18 in. I have no formal college, no honors and no second language. If I can have accomplished what I have in my career then you should be able to also. Just stick to your guns.
When I first began applying to agencies I went through 14 before I found one that would hire me and it was primarily corrections. It took quite a few attempts before someone would come right out and tell me that it was between local politics and my height that kept me from being hired. At first I was extremely disappointed and angry at being disregared for my height. I just sucked it up and kept at it.
Outside of corrections my first trial at law enforcement was as a reserve officer. It was all I could get. However it gave me the chance to prove myself. And prove yourself you may have to do. If that happens to you don't become irritated, just do it because you will be tested. Officers that have you as backup will, in no uncertain circumstances, want to know you are willing to engage a suspect. Suspects will test you to see if they can handle you. Stand your ground and handle your business. All sorts of people will expect you to be defensive about your height and try to get a rise out of you. Kid and joke about it but don't get mad. Don't get pissy you can't change what you are and that is short. Have fun with it.
I've seen some really large individuals who were dumb as a rock and some small stature persons who couldn't handle picking up an empty box. You have other attributes so don't be afraid to use them. My point is don't allow your height dictate what you do. Make your own way and stand on your own two feet. Even if you're two feet below the average person. If a department is stupid enough to dismiss you due to your height then you don't want to work there anyway.
Good luck and keep us posted.

**keith720** · 02-16-10, 03:40 PM

There's nothing wrong with being short. personally, I'm only 5'16" and I've never had a problem!

**Captain America** · 02-16-10, 04:07 PM

The only height that matters is how tall your heart is.

**Xiphos** · 02-16-10, 05:15 PM

We have guys and gals your size and smaller.

**ANI4ANI** · 02-16-10, 07:35 PM

Height and weight requirements were required in my day of hiring. But, they have been lifted from most municipalities. Can you say, LAW SUIT? No war stories today regarding short officers working the street; I'll leave my personal comments out of print. Nonetheless, with your language background and college degree, I'd try the federal end of law enforcement first. Good luck.

**MonsterMash** · 02-16-10, 10:40 PM

Well....like I always used to say: We need the short, speedy guys to slow the perps down long enough for the bulls to get there and put them on their ass.