Lecture 2 Recruitment and Retention

Question 1

What were the odds of becoming a police officer Now vs In the past

Answer 1

Historically, the odds of becoming a police officer were around 1 in 16, now it is around 1 in 3
due to a decrease in applicants

Question 2

Why is it hard to hire “good” police officers? (Remember Order)

Answer 2

1. Not everyone wants to become a police officer
2. Not everyone who wants to be a police officer can become one
3. Not everyone who can become a police officer is eligible
4. Not everyone who is eligible is desirable

Question 3

Todak (2017): Results:

What point in their lives did they wish to become police officers? (test you on the order of frequency)

Answer 3

Childhood = 16 students
Teenager = 15 students
College = 11 students

Question 4

Why Do You Want To Become Police Officers?

Answer 4

Help People = 31 students
Avoid a “desk job” = 18 students

Question 5

Long-Term Goals?

Answer 5

Full career in policing = 16 students
Stepping stone into federal law enforcement = 15 students
One option to consider (pays the bills, stable job) = 11 students

Question 6

Concerns about policing

Answer 6

cynical: jaded Police Officers become darker than previously

Protective: Become more protective with others after being exposed to the cruelties of the world (violence, harm, injury)

Fear: participants will become afraid, policing can expose you to lots of gruesome stuff, police will expect you to handle those things. As a police officer you must be able to kill someone within reason. Fear of getting hurt or making the wrong decision, can you sleep at night knowing you had the opportunity to save someone’s life.

Coping: Once they experienced this trauma, they wouldn’t be happy, be able to help people, and able to live functioning lives

Question 7

Steps to prepare themsleves for careers in polcing

Answer 7

1.Shooting: go to the gun range and practice shooting

2.Ride-alongs: Went on ride-alongs to firsthand experience the procedures taken by police

3. Purchased firearm
4. Worked in the police department
5. Attended events
6. Martial arts
7. Criminal Justice College Education

Question 8

Why are recruitment videos important for police recruiting

Answer 8

Emphasize the warrior philosophy as opposed to the guardian philosophy

Officer representation
Informational content: What type of content was the agency providing

Behavioral Content: What was the officer doing in the videos

⅔ of recruitment videos featured high-speed driving, the use of firearms, and the demonstration of canine and SWAT units. Most videos also included fast-paced music with a focus on male officers.