NCJ Number
64978
Journal
Public Personnel Management Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (MARCH/APRIL 1974) Pages: 103-110
Date Published
1974
Length
8 pages
Annotation
RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE REPORTED FROM A STUDY DESIGNED TO DETERMINE THE VALIDITY OF A HEIGHT REQUIREMENT IN THE ATLANTA POLICE DEPARTMENT (GEORGIA).
Abstract
THE STUDY WAS INTENDED TO FIND (1) IF SHORTER POLICE OFFICERS ARE FORCED TO RESORT TO PHYSICAL FORCE MORE THAN TALLER POLICE OFFICERS, (2) IF THE NAPOLEONIC COMPLEX (TENDENCY OF SHORT PEOPLE TO OVERCOMPENSATE FOR PERCEIVED INADEQUACIES BY PROVOKING COMBATIVE SITUATIONS) IS MANIFESTED IN THE BEHAVIOR OF SHORT POLICE OFFICERS, AND (3) IF SHORTER POLICE OFFICERS ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO PHYSICAL INJURY. THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA FROM JUNE 15, 1973 TO SEPTEMBER 15, 1973. DATA WERE OBTAINED FROM 'UNRULY PRISONER REPORTS,' 'COMPLAINTS OF POLICE BRUTALITY,' AND THE FILE ON OFFICER INJURIES. FINDINGS SHOWED NO SIGNIFICANT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OFFICERS' HEIGHT AND THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OF POLICE BRUTALITY AND THE NUMBER OF INJURIES INCURRED WHILE ON DUTY. THE NUMBER OF ASSAULTS ON POLICE OFFICERS, HOWEVER, WAS SHOWN TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY AMONG OFFICERS WHOSE HEIGHT WAS BELOW 5'9'. THE FINDINGS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO JUSTIFY A HEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR POLICE OFFICERS. AT PRESENT, NO HEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR POLICE OFFICERS. AT PRESENT, NO HEIGHT REQUIREMENT EXISTS FOR ATLANTA OFFICERS. IN ORDER TO OBTAIN FURTHER DATA BEARING UPON THIS ISSUE, THE JOB PERFORMANCE OF NEWLY HIRED POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD BE RECORDED ACCORDING TO HEIGHT. SHOULD ASSAULTS PROVE TO BE MORE FREQUENT FOR SHORT OFFICERS, THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED: (1) RESTRICTING THE USE OF SHORTER POLICE OFFICERS TO WORK THAT WOULD NOT EXPOSE THEM TO THE LIKELIHOOD OF CONFRONTATION WITH THE CITIZENRY; (2) HAVING SPECIAL AND INTENSIVE TRAINING FOR SHORT OFFICERS TO BETTER EQUIP THEM TO DEAL WITH ASSAULTS; OR (3) REINSTATING THE HEIGHT REQUIREMENT. TABULAR DATA AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)