Originally Posted by
Mark E. Hurling
The only advantage a short cop has is that it's easier to get underneath the center of gravity of most of the people they have to subdue in order to throw them in a takedown. Sadly, given the potential for injury to those other people and the propensity for ensuing litigation, those type of takedowns do not fit the kinder, gentler, manner in which order is expected to be maintained these days by lawyers. From my own anecdotal observations and experience, short cops suffer greatly from two things.
* Little Man's Disease, which is an overcompensation by the short cop to make sure everyone knows they are in charge.
* Bad guys seeing short cops as less capable and so more likely to challenge or resist them than they might, say, a 6'+ bigger cop.