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NYPD Lowers Height Requirement

NYPD officers showed their colors at the 2002 Rose Parade in Pasadena on New Year's Day. Riding in a festive pink Cadillac, visiting New York police officers displayed an example of the NYPD's new height policy.

The new rules outlined a change from the outdated minimum height and maximum weight requirements traditionally honored by New York's finest. The new regulations will allow officers as short as 32 inches to serve on the force, as illustrated in this photo. The new rules will also allow police officers to sit on phone books or special booster seats so they can see over the dashboard.

Weight requirements have been changed to allow officers to weigh as little as 29 pounds and as much as 395 pounds at a maximum height of 7 feet 6 inches. "We're hoping to open up the playing field to more recruits with these new guidelines. I don't think anyone should be deterred from joining the force if they show strong ability." Says NYPD Captain, Sean O'Grady.

Although ability versus size is being up-played, there are considerations to be dealt with. Bids to manufacturers of smaller guns are being issued. Badges, long considered to be "one-size-fits-all," will need to be modified for the smaller officers. "If we don't take badge size into consideration," Says Captain O'Grady, "the smaller officers will be obscured by their standard issue badges. It could really get in the way of their duties. But, I suppose the bright side is that they might not need bullet proof vests. It's a trade off."

New rules and regulations notwithstanding, there is one thing that everyone agrees on: A good man can't be measured simply by the size of his badge... or his uniform.