Body Mass

[Bradleyadleo]

I'm not a big guy. To give a brief description I am about 5'6" and a 140 pounds. I plan on attending a technical college for a 2 year associate degree in law enforcement. I've seen officers before that are not "physically intimidating". By that I mean, they aren't big guys. Some of them are my size or even smaller. Is it harder to get respect when your not quite as big as most officers? Do people feel that they control the situation because they are bigger than you? I'm just curious as what to expect when I do eventually meet my goals.

[Rad Diver]

Just be a good talker and be able to end a fight quickly. Alot of the smaller leo's in my agency tend to fight more only because the bigger scum bag thinks he/she can take the smaller leo.

My bro-in-law was a small guy, he has passed on to the pearlie gates, and he got in 5 times as many fights as me, and he didn't like to go hands on.

[retdetsgt]

Just be a good talker and be able to end a fight quickly. Alot of the smaller leo's in my agency tend to fight more only because the bigger scum bag thinks he/she can take the smaller leo.

The smaller guys in my dept that tend to get into more fights have bigger mouths. It has little to do with the bigger scum bag. Too many small guys come on with something to prove to the world, it seems. I'm just talking about my dept., I have no experience anywhere else.

[Old Trooper]

I learned something a long time ago....no matter HOW big and bad you are, there is ALWAYS someone bigger and badder. You don't get into LE because you can kick asses or win fights. You EARN respect, it doesn't automatically come with size. You prevail in a situation using your mind and your mouth. (If that fails, make sure you get the first shot in!!!)

[Kenpokev]

Our division commander and former SWAT team commander is all of about 5'7" and maybe 150 wet...in uniform. Very few people EVER screwed with him. He's fairly quiet, but there's a level of confidence that's unmistakable, he also possesses excellent communication skills.

Without a doubt, you will run into folks who insist on fighting. You MUST train and stay fit. Learn those verbal judo skills, but have a disciplined training plan for physical altercations. Jujitsu, Krav Maga, or MMA styles would be good for general fitness and practical skills.

[Babysmamadrama]

It's not the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog. Besides if you get some good boots and wear your cover you will be about 5'10".

[Valor55]

Our division commander and former SWAT team commander is all of about 5'7" and maybe 150 wet...in uniform. Very few people EVER screwed with him. He's fairly quiet, but there's a level of confidence that's unmistakable, he also possesses excellent communication skills.

Without a doubt, you will run into folks who insist on fighting. You MUST train and stay fit. Learn those verbal judo skills, but have a disciplined training plan for physical altercations. Jujitsu, Krav Maga, or MMA styles would be good for general fitness and practical skills.

He's right, it is about command presence. People know you mean business and have confidence and they listen to you. I know cops who don't seem to have confidence and people walk all over them.

Fighting is a very small part of our job, the vast majority of arrests are mostly compliant and the ones that resist usually don't all out fight. Being prepared for it is good but it isn't everything we do.

[Joeyd6]

I am 5'6". I have had very few challenegs to date. I usually can talk a person down. Command presence is a big deal. We have officers wholook like crap with old uniforms, crappy leather, looking like crap and talk like crap. I keep my myself in new gear looking 100%. So when I get out of my car and walk up...they see my shoes are shined, teh hair is cut and I make definate eye conatct. I also take a no nonsense approach. I talk to, and not down when I can. I give the person decisions...."...you can do A or B, sir, and I have explained each choice and its consequences. There are other emergencies I must go to, so which would you like to pursue." Does the person really have a choice...no...I stacked the cards and made it seem like they did, but when they think it out...they usually will do what I want them to, but they think they are making that decision. That works a lot. All of that is basically command presence and it works most of the time. But there will be times talking won't help and you will have to roll with a perp.

If you do...rememebr you will win the fight. maybe not you personally....but you are now a memeber of the worlds largest gang.....and your fellow memebrs will come running to help you. SO all you have to do is hold your own till they get there. You may have bruises and broken bones....but once the perep is cuffed you won. Old phrase comes to mind..."You may have lost the battle but you won the war!"

Good Luck!

[Bradleyadleo]

I appreciate all the advice and I am definantly more confident about my size now than I was before. Thanks for the responses.

[Gooch]

You'll do ok if you use your head. Too many times I've seen smaller officers take a controllable situation and turn it into a forcible arrest because they know that their back-up is right there. A vertically deficient lieutenant of ours decided to street stop a known gang-banger as he was walking with a girlfriend by calling him over the way you would call a dog. This guy wasn't going to be punked by a "mini me" and put up his dukes and called him out. By the time help arrived, it was a fight and arrest for something that should've never happened.

[mcsap]

At 5' 6" 165 lbs I am no Goliath , but after 18 + yrs on the job I have not gotten in that many scuffles. It has happened but the MAJORITY of the time they were drunk. Sometimes you just can't reason with drunks. 95% of the time it is how you appear, how you carry yourself, your being calm, speaking authoritatively and asking people to comply in a manner that they will do so.

The other 5% will demand that you have some physical capabilities to give you an edge when you NEED it.

[Cinnamon]

Everyone has been right on target with their responses. COMMAND PRESENCE makes all the difference. I am 5'6" and 120 soaking wet. Some would call me sweet as pie, yet extremely feisty...does that make sense? I have this gift of my "momma voice" coming out. I recently did some joint training with the fire dept...I got to be the bad guy and shoot a fireman (blank gun of course). I freaked everyone out, and had grown men cower. I had a fireman actually hide in the closet! I've been told that he still hasn't lived that down.

Between that and my verbal judo, I've been in very few fights.

[dwf]

I learned a long time ago that the best weapons that I possess are my brain and my jaw, everything else is back up should those fail. Attitude is everything in this business and regardless of your size if you have it you will do fine, without you will be arguing and fighting with people all the time.

Besides, it isn't the size but how well you use it right? (someone had to say it)

[Bradleyadleo]

Everyone has been right on target with their responses. COMMAND PRESENCE makes all the difference. I am 5'6" and 120 soaking wet. Some would call me sweet as pie, yet extremely feisty...does that make sense? I have this gift of my "momma voice" coming out. I recently did some joint training with the fire dept...I got to be the bad guy and shoot a fireman (blank gun of course). I freaked everyone out, and had grown men cower. I had a fireman actually hide in the closet! I've been told that he still hasn't lived that down.

Between that and my verbal judo, I've been in very few fights.

Your pretty much exactly my size and weight than, except I have 20 or so more pounds. Soaking wet I might be 160. I have a small amount of muscle mass, but I'm not a fighter.

I've wanted to be a leo since I was little. Mostly because I don't like to see people get hurt, and if I can save just one life than it's worth it to me.

Right now if I can get my new Explorer paid off before next fall I can enroll in the program. $11,000 left on the loan, but I should be able to do it if I don't spend extra on worthless junk. Although Christmas will be a setback.

I do have some additional questions though:

1. Do any of you have a 2 year associates degree in Law Enforcement, and was it enough to get your foot in the door?
2. I plan on attending Alexandria Technical College . Is this a good school?
3. Was it difficult for you to get into a full-time job as a leo?
4. If you started part-time did you have to purchase your own equipment?
5. How much did it cost?
6. Are you happier today knowing that your helping people?

By the way, I forgot to mention this but I won a rifle through the bonus program at work. Savage 7mm 08 with a synthetic stock. Very nice gun, and doesn't kick like a mule like my woodstock.

[Cinnamon]

1. Do any of you have a 2 year associates degree in Law Enforcement, and was it enough to get your foot in the door?
***I have 2 years college but no degree, so I didn't need it to get in the front door.
2. I plan on attending Alexandria Technical College . Is this a good school?
***Never heard of it. I assume you're talking about the one in VA? Basically, if you want education, it doesn't matter where you go, as long as you go. That's my 2 cents about it at least.
3. Was it difficult for you to get into a full-time job as a leo?
***Not for me. I lucked out and got hired with no problems. I guess it was a good time when I applied.
4. If you started part-time did you have to purchase your own equipment?
***no clue, sorry.
5. How much did it cost?
***see answer #4
6. Are you happier today knowing that your helping people?
***Of course. I wouldn't change this for anything.