Historical Height Requirements for Police?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Historical Height Requirements for Police?

Posted: 9/8/2010 3:35:13 PM EDT

Just wondering if anyone remembers any of the more stringent height requirements for becoming a police officer. I thought I had heard about 6' 2" being a requirement for the CT State police in the 70s, but maybe thats total BS. I figure there's a few of you here that might remember some of this stuff from a few decades ago.

ETA: I'm not talking about currently, but in the past.

Posted: 9/8/2010 3:37:13 PM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
Just wondering if anyone remembers any of the more stringent height requirements for becoming a police officer. I thought I had heard about 6' 2" being a requirement for the CT State police in the 70s, but maybe thats total BS. I figure there's a few of you here that might remember some of this stuff from a few decades ago.

6'2"* is the standard CT State Police minimum

*standing on a standard US dog, not some chihuahua import foolishness

Posted: 9/8/2010 3:39:48 PM EDT

[#2]

I dont know about CT, but here there are some female cops barely pushing 5' even.

Posted: 9/8/2010 3:59:53 PM EDT

[#3]

bump?

Posted: 9/8/2010 4:01:08 PM EDT

[#4]

6'2 would eliminate a bunch of folks...given the avg male is only around 5'9...

I wouldn't pass muster at 6'1

Posted: 9/8/2010 4:03:13 PM EDT

[#5]

Sir Robert Peel set the height limit for London Metro cops to be 6'

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Posted: 9/8/2010 4:11:34 PM EDT

[#6]

My understanding is this has largely gone the way of the dodo because it discriminates against female applicants. A department would be hard pressed to keep it as a general standard. I could see having uniform height standard for a ceremonial guard unit but as a general requirement I doubt it could hold up to legal scrutiny.

Posted: 9/8/2010 4:15:29 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Sir Robert Peel set the height limit for London Metro cops to be 6'

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Not anymore in feely touchy PC UK..Used to be all Coppers were 6 foot tall at least and 16 stone and played rugby in thier off time...how times have changed as the UK embraced the 3rd world

Posted: 9/8/2010 4:16:31 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

My understanding is this has largely gone the way of the dodo because it discriminates against female applicants. A department would be hard pressed to keep it as a general standard. I could see having uniform height standard for a ceremonial guard unit but as a general requirement I doubt it could hold up to legal scrutiny.

Oh, I'm aware that height requirements are largely gone in today's world, but I was more curious if standards greater than 6 feet existed.

Posted: 9/8/2010 4:19:47 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

but as a general requirement I doubt it could hold up to legal scrutiny.

Why? Because short people and women and minorities have a God given right to be police? I'm all for tough standards. If you don't fit, sucks for you.

Posted: 9/8/2010 4:26:34 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:

Quoted:
but as a general requirement I doubt it could hold up to legal scrutiny.

Why? Because short people and women and minorities have a God given right to be police? I'm all for tough standards. If you don't fit, sucks for you.

These days that goes for so many things...I agree with your sentiment, but these days its just not gonna fly being as regardless of abilitys or education we are all "equal"

Posted: 9/8/2010 4:31:59 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:

Quoted:
but as a general requirement I doubt it could hold up to legal scrutiny.

Why? Because short people and women and minorities have a God given right to be police? I'm all for tough standards. If you don't fit, sucks for you.

I'd rather have a 5'6" cop who strives to be his best than a 6'2" guy who treats it like any other job. Objective physical standards should dictate qualifications, not arbitrary requirements.

Posted: 9/8/2010 4:33:46 PM EDT

[#12]

Cops used to be more "hands on" than they are now. The height requirement was made to make sure big guys got on the force

Posted: 9/8/2010 4:34:06 PM EDT

[#13]

Cops used to be more "hands on" than they are now. The height requirement was made to make sure big guys got on the force

Posted: 9/8/2010 4:34:20 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

Quoted:
but as a general requirement I doubt it could hold up to legal scrutiny.

Why? Because short people and women and minorities have a God given right to be police? I'm all for tough standards. If you don't fit, sucks for you.

I'd rather have a 5'6" cop who strives to be his best than a 6'2" guy who treats it like any other job. Objective physical standards should dictate qualifications, not arbitrary requirements.

*ding*
I am unaware of any part of a police officer's duty that can only be performed by someone who is over 6 foot.

Posted: 9/8/2010 4:36:52 PM EDT

[#15]

My dad was denied being a Ohio State Patrolman in the mid 70's due to being one inch short of the requirements.

Posted: 9/8/2010 4:37:56 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:

My dad was denied being a Ohio State Patrolman in the mid 70's due to being one inch short of the requirements.

what was it?

Trying to get a feel for what they were back in the day?

Posted: 9/8/2010 4:38:15 PM EDT

[#17]

They got rid of the height requirement. Now most agencies require new police officers to eat a full box of a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts in under two minutes while drinking no more than one 8 ounce glass of milk.

Posted: 9/8/2010 4:39:27 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
Cops used to be more "hands on" than they are now. The height requirement was made to make sure big guys got on the force

yep, so now we have a bunch of short sawed off guys running around wearing a badge with a big attitude looking to get even were they can. And to top it all off, the good old days of hickory wood shampooing the bad guys is completely out the window, so its normal every day joe who gets the tickets and reaps the repercussions. great system eh?

Posted: 9/8/2010 4:54:52 PM EDT

[#19]

I understand that a taller guy is probably going to be a bit more intimidating, but how could you rule out a 5'10" guy like Georges St. Pierre and say he doesn't make the physical requirement. There should be strict physical strength or fitness requirements, but if your height doesn't impair your ability to take someone down and hold them down, height seems like a stupid prerequisite.

Posted: 9/9/2010 1:20:17 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:

Quoted:
My dad was denied being a Ohio State Patrolman in the mid 70's due to being one inch short of the requirements.

what was it?

Trying to get a feel for what they were back in the day?

5'9"

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Historical Height Requirements for Police?

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