this might be a weird one...

[woodyzj]

alright, so I am trying to get on a local county as a sheriff trainee...and everybody that I tell (friends, family, etc) seem to make a comment about my height. of course, I have been blessed with being a bit short, 5'6" to be exact. i dont feel in any way challenged nor is this having a hamper on what I am setting my mind to..but..

just wondering if any of you LEO's are/were in the same boat as me? or might I be the worldest shortest LEO if the time comes? ;) :D

[woodyzj]

oh my...i just realized that I spelled weird wrong.....

[Switchback]

oh my...i just realized that I spelled weird wrong.....

Fixed.



It's all about heart. I know a guy (used to work with him) that is 6'8". He hasn't the heart or aggression to make me feel comfortable to work with. I have also worked with women that are 5'4" who I feel perfectly safe with. It's all about mindset.

[scott715us]

5'6" doesn't sound that short at all. I've worked with people shorter. I don't think you'll have any problems, maybe except for the 6 foot wall at the academy. :D

[danninator]

5'5" (and 3/4") thank you very much

My Patrol Lieutenant and Captain are both 5'5" and 5'6" respectively. We all seem to get it done just fine.

[woodyzj]

awesome! just what I wanted to hear. :D

and yeah... i did the 6ft wall during the physical test and it was a piece of cake!

thanks for the support guys!

[woodyzj]

5'5" (and 3/4") thank you very much

My Patrol Lieutenant and Captain are both 5'5" and 5'6" respectively. We all seem to get it done just fine.

i wanted to add to this and ask you a question: do you find when dealing with say large/larger suspects that they tend to blow you off more because of the height issue? i always wonder that...ya know the intimidation factor might come into play on the streets. i know its all about how you carry yourself, but just wondering. :D thanks for the help!

[mcsap]

I am 5ft 6in and 165 lbs. It truly is the " bark " that you have that will be more effective than the " bite".

Sure, being 6ft 4in 225 lbs has it's advantages but to say that someone 5'6" can't do a good job is stupid. You can accomplish MOST of what you want or need to do as an officer by using your brain, not your biceps.

[danninator]

i wanted to add to this and ask you a question: do you find when dealing with say large/larger suspects that they tend to blow you off more because of the height issue? i always wonder that...ya know the intimidation factor might come into play on the streets. i know its all about how you carry yourself, but just wondering. thanks for the help!

There is always someone out there larger than you. I lift a bit to make up for my small stature which helps. But overall I make sure I have a very strong command presence. Have I had a few guys think they could take me? sure. But usually they can't do much after a blast of my karate in a can (oc). Most of the time it's the scrawny little guys that want to fight.

[woodyzj]

thanks for the reply! thats pretty much exactly what my rebuttal is towards the ppl who doubt my "ability" when I tell them my goals and plans of becoming an LEO.

i even got comments on the day of testing from other testers! my reply: it means that I just have to work that much harder than you :D

thanks again

[Valor55]

You will be much more comfortable in the CVPI or the Impala than any of your 5'11"+ collegues.

[woodyzj]

haha good point! (just need to remember not to forget the phonebooks and wood blocks when im on duty ;)

[bdbaskar]

5'6" on good days and it hasn't been a problem thus far.

[Terminator]

just wondering if any of you LEO's are/were in the same boat as me?

or might I be the worldest shortest LEO if the time comes?

Never....I'm 6'6 and close to 300 pounds.

You would definitely NOT be the world's shortest LEO. I've worked with a female who was 5'00 and 90 pounds... :rolleyes:

[woodyzj]

wow you're a big dude!

and yeah....i was being sarcastic about the shortest LEO comment. :D