VERY SHORT arm of the law?

Pictured: The tiny police officer who has made British history... 5ft-tall Pc Port

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 3:49 PM on 13th January 2010

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A police officer who measures just 5ft tall has hit the beat to become Britain's smallest ever Pc.

Robin Port, 29, joined the Devon and Cornwall force and says he'll tackle any big criminals - by 'taking out their legs'.

The former soldier passed out from his police training last year and in his first month on the beat made 17 arrests.

Speaking yesterday, Pc Port said he 'heard all the jokes before' and what he lacks in size he makes up for in strength.

Small but effective: Britain's shortest ever police officer Pc Robin Port with his supervisor Inspector Matt Lawler

He said: 'I've heard the odd comment from the public but most of the them come from people who are drunk and incoherent.

'I am very confident I can hold my own. I have martial arts training so I don't see myself as more at risk than any other police officer.

'I've got quite a thick skin which is a requirement in this job. The uniform still carries with it a lot of authority.

'In a situation where I might be faced with a huge, 7ft bloke their size also makes them vulnerable as I could sweep their legs out.'

Pc Port, based in Tiverton, Devon, began his training in March 2009 and finished in September and recently completed his first month on the beat.

He said: 'Of the arrests I have made there have been people of all sizes and shapes. This has not once posed an issue.

'I like to think I have got a very high level of fitness and a high level of physical strength. I go the gym quite a lot. I was a soldier.

Robin, originally from East Sussex, says members of the public have made comments about his stature but he was well used to the jokes about his height before joining the police

'I like to think my presence in the force says a lot about the police policy on discrimination, in that a person is recruited on their merit and not to fulfil quotas.

'I am glad the force has moved forward and modernised in its opinions.'

Robin joined the Army in 1999 and served in Oman, Kuwait, Iraq and Northern Ireland where he reached the rank of Lance Corporal and was awarded several campaign medals.

He said: 'I wanted to serve society. I was able to serve the country by joining the Army, whereas being a police officer is a chance to serve the community.'

Pc Port's hobbies include weight training, running, cycling and hill walking and he is also a green belt in Tiaho Jitsu.

Prior to commencing his training as a police officer he worked in the force's Crime Data Input Bureau as a civilian member of staff for nearly three years.

Robin, originally from East Sussex, says members of the public have made comments about his stature but he was well used to the jokes about his height before joining the police.

He added: 'When I joined I thought there might come a time when people would see me and judge me based on my height.

'But I've since realised that is not going to be nearly as big a problem as I thought it was going to be. There have been instances where people have made comments.

'But I have learned that if people want to make an offensive comment towards a police officer they will find something to pick on, be it too short, too tall or having ginger hair or glasses.

'Most of the members of the public I have spoken to have not even raised the issue.

'I have always been shorter than my peers. I was the same height as them when I was five but then I started growing at a slower rate.

'Even my fiancee is a little bit taller than me. My fellow recruits were all incredibly supportive and I always felt included like any other officer.'

Pc Port's supervisor Insp Matt Lawler said he has already proved to be a first-rate front line officer.

He said: 'I have been really pleased with Pc Port's progress and the work he has done over the last two months.

'I am pleased to have him with us and continue to support him. We employ people for their skills and we have full confidence in his ability and judgment.'

During the 19th and early 20th centuries most police forces in Britain required male recruits to be at least 5ft 10ins and 5ft 4ins for women.

By 1960 many forces had reduced this to 5ft 8ins but some still required the 5ft 10ins rule until the early 1990s when the height standard was gradually removed.

The MacPherson report of 1999 ruled the height restriction was seen to discriminate against those of ethnic backgrounds such as the Chinese, who are generally shorter.

No British force now requires its recruits to be of any minimum height.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall police added: 'Pc Port is exactly 5ft tall and is considered a person of short stature.

'He does not suffer from Dwarfism, a serious medical condition. He is simply from a short lineage.

'Over the years there have been many changes to the selection criteria used for police officers. At one time women were limited to a small number of police roles and were paid less than men.

'There was once a minimum height requirement for male police officers of 5ft 8ins tall, however it has been made illegal to discriminate against or reject applicants on the basis of their height.

'The stringent assessment procedures used during recruitment of police officers tests many skills, including a physical ability to do the job.'