The recruitment and selection of the best law enforcement candidates who represent a diversity of backgrounds, knowledge, and experiences is essential to building trust, collaboration, and transparency with the community. However, the ability of law enforcement agencies to recruit and select eligible candidates presents a challenge in a climate where policing is not seen by some as an appealing career. With retention of officers at an all-time low, and retirements on the rise, it is important for agencies to understand how to implement best practices most effectively regarding the recruitment and selection of officers.

The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Survey on Police Workforce Trends (2021) indicates reductions in hiring and retention within law enforcement agencies nationwide. According to PERF, agencies reported an 18 percent increase in resignations and a 5 percent reduction in hiring. Additionally, the report notes that a significant number of retirements has also impacted law enforcement agencies, reporting a 45 percent increase in the retirement rate. Employing new and innovative practices to recruitment and selection will be critical to building a diverse and inclusive workforce, that has strong analytical and problem-solving skills, good communication skills, are adaptable and understands agency policies and procedures – a workforce which is essential to maintaining a safe and thriving community.

Through the FY22 Innovations in Recruitment and Hiring - Community Policing Development Solicitation, the COPS Office will provide funding to an organization to develop recruitment and hiring resources (videos, toolkits, publications, podcasts, etc.) that can be shared with the broader law enforcement field and provide technical assistance to help law enforcement agencies, in particular those funded through the COPS Hiring Program (CHP), implement improvements to increase their capacity to attract and select the best candidates and develop creative and engaging opportunities to market policing positions and expand the pool of potential applicants for their agencies.

Who is Eligible?

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For Profit (Commercial) Organizations

Non-Profit Organizations

Institutions of Higher Education

 

Community Groups

Faith-Based Organizations

 

Need more information on how to apply to any of our programs?

For additional assistance we encourage you to visit the How to Apply page, which includes frequently asked questions, appendices, additional fact sheets, links to webinars, and other resources.

The COPS Office is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety and protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and build trust between law enforcement and the community.