Official websites use.gov
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Hiring Incentives for Recruitment
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Signing bonus
- Academy training & Paid salary during training
- Tuition reimbursement & student loan forgiveness
- Flexible schedule and potential for overtime
- Being part of a department with a good reputation
- Relaxed screening process and updated policies on tattoos, background investigations
- Professional development and leadership opportunities
Recruitment, hiring and retention of the best law enforcement officers is critical for a safe, thriving community. The COPS Office is working with other DOJ components and the Administration to help agencies evolve their recruitment and hiring process through new initiatives, policy changes and best practices implemented by innovative agencies.
Other Resources on Recruitment and Hiring
Office of Justice Programs Resources
- Promising Practices in Police Recruitment, Selection, Training, and Retention 2020 (Video)
- Police Recruitment and Retention in the Contemporary Urban Environment 2009
- Hiring and Keeping Police Officers
- Hiring and Retention Issues in Police Agencies: Readings on the Determinants of Police Strength, Hiring and Retention of Officers, and the Federal COPS Program – (2001)
- Hiring and Retention of State and Local Law Enforcement Officers, 2008 - Statistical Tables
