The Future of Recruiting in Policing

The challenge of police recruitment in America is one of the most complex that police agencies face. This is exacerbated by the convergence of social changes, public perceptions and changing expectations about policing. This issue is rooted in the inability to attract enough applicants, but also recruit individuals who are aligned with the modern ethos of community-oriented policing.

This challenge has many facets, but key among them is the change in attitudes of society towards police, which is influenced by high profile incidents and calls for reform. The perception of policing has changed amongst potential recruits, and it is now less attractive to those who previously thought it was a good career choice. In addition, the current recruits who are often looking for careers that emphasize social justice and community impact may find traditional police roles less aligned to their values.

It is impossible to overstate the importance of hiring and recruiting the right people. Identifying core competencies needed for today’s policing environment, and then finding candidates who possess those competencies is extremely difficult. The best recruits will be those who are able to navigate social situations with ease, show empathy, adhere to ethical standards, adapt to changing demands in community policing, act as guardians of the community and periodically respond to critical incidents with a warrior mindset which he or she can turn off when the emergency is over. These individuals are crucial in shaping the public's trust and the effectiveness policing.

Understanding and addressing the recruiting challenges by police leaders is essential to building an effective police organization. This calls for a reevaluation of recruitment strategies and a focus on community involvement. It also demands that the modern police force emphasizes values and skills. This issue is about more than just filling vacant positions; it's also about ensuring a future for effective, community-centered police work in an ever-changing social landscape. In this section we explore the various dynamics of recruiting cops in the future and how it is a cornerstone of a police organization that is effective, empathetic and just.