Recruiting Tips

Law enforcement agencies across the nation have come up with a variety of ways to recruit, hire and train them, including some of these strategies.

Retired Cops and Other Professionals

Says Chief Frisz, “I like to hire retirees because of the maturity factor. And a lot of retired officers want to continue working in law enforcement. Networking is the best way to recruit them, especially those with a specialty, who have a network and know each other.”

“It’s a small world,” he continues, “and if you know your same position is available as a civilian, an officer will retire and draw his or her pension but continue to work in a law enforcement function, doing investigations, cyber or crime lab work, for instance.”

Adds Officer Snyder, “Officers will say I’m eligible for retirement, know the records management system and want to stay involved.” His department also has civilian evidence techs who help process crimes scenes or evidence. “

Consider other retirees; former teachers, social workers, or other professionals who still want to work are a good source. A retired mechanic or engineer could help manage or repair the fleet and equipment, for instance.

Some retirees may be especially interested in part-time or seasonal positions, such as police work during tourist season or traffic control during the school year. Young people are an especially good source for these positions, too. And they can be reached through your youth programs.

A Recruitment Team is Critical

Your recruitment team can work on an as needed or part time basis and should include civilian as well as sworn personnel. And get everybody into the act. Ask all your employees to spread the word with friends and family.

Says Chief Frisz, “I tell our people, ‘you’re our best recruiter, so please talk to people.’ I suggest they come to our department and do a ride along or spend half a day with us in the crime lab, or shadow us for a day or something like that.”

Local marketing and social media consultants can be hired for advertising campaigns or people with these skills can be borrowed from the municipal government. Advertise on social media, sites such as Jobs Indeed, and law enforcement sites and the department’s own website and Facebook page.

Citizens’ Police Academies, Schools, and Universities

Colleges across the country are offering programs in criminal justice, and online courses are available to all who are interested.

But recruiters should make campus and classroom visits to all schools in their area, regardless of whether they offer such degrees, and emphasize the relevancy of various majors to police work. Attending college job fairs and advertising in their newspapers and job boards is also a good tactic.

Chief Frisz recommends that when you do presentations to recruit officers, present your civilian side as well. “Say ‘here’s what else our department has to offer.’ Many forget to do that.”

“A good recruiting ground is citizen police academies, too. You can introduce every part of your department,” says Officer Snyder. “People who attend these are already interested in law enforcement,” he adds.

Stress Your Culture and Service to the Community

Talk about the things that make your agency a great place to work while speaking about service to the community and the satisfaction that comes with that. Talk about your values, your community support, and the outreach efforts they can participate in.

Another attraction is the diversity of the workforce. Candidates are attracted to diverse environments where they will feel welcome, as will women retirees. Including photographs of people of different genders, races, ages, and ethnicities is very helpful.

Says Sgt. Nicholas Williams of the South Fulton (Georgia) Police Department, “People want to join organizations that have people like them. If you want to recruit certain kinds of people, show them in your advertising. We have pictures of our female officers on billboards.”