What should have been an informative article about Wollongong's front line policing getting a boost with seven new probationary constables, became a nasty forum full of vile attempts at humour and hurt.

It's the type of behaviour you would chastise your child over - poking fun at someone and calling them names because of their physical appearance.

On this disappointing occasion it was a police officer in the firing line, because he was not as tall as the others. Never mind the story behind the man who has decided to dedicate his life to protecting the community. Never mind the hours of study and the physical fitness required to graduate from the NSW Police Academy.

It seems many thought it more appropriate to criticise the man's physical appearance and then take aim at the photographer. It was even suggested that a professional photographer would "set up a shot" with the intention of invoking public ridicule. No actually. Not in her wildest dreams did our photographer think for a second her photo would garner that type of mean-spirited engagement. It didn't occur to her that community minded people would ignore the fact they were getting new police officers and instead obsess about his height.

There was no malice in taking a photo of seven probationary constables. No intention to make one seem "not like the others".

This is not a school playground where kids don't realise the ramifications of their cruel words. This is adults typing nasty words.

Then it's more adults firing back nastier words, supposedly in defence of the person under attack.

Never is name calling okay, not even in retaliation. It's plain nasty no matter what side of the fence you're on.

Let's hope keyboard warriors stop and think before posting heartless comments on the next story. If you missed the point of this one, here it is ...Recruits graduated from 12 months of on-the-job training and study and Wollongong's top cop Superintendent Chris Craner was excited to have "seven new kids on the block". The probationary constables will be tasked to first response duties such as attending domestic violence assaults and car accidents.