Police recruitment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Police recruitment - Essay Example The enrollment and retention of police officers is a significant challenge for police agents. This problem is exacerbated by pending retirements, local budget crises, military calls, heavy competition by qualified applicants and the ever changing work preferences of the young people. All these issues are arising at a time when there are increased homeland security demands and high levels of crime in American cities. Many police agencies find difficulties in recruiting minority and female officers. Also, the economic downturn if late 2008 and early 2009 presented profound setbacks on the budgets of local agencies (Rand.org). The impact of the economic downturn was enough to impede the ability of local police departments to maintain a proper workforce. The agencies are unable to recruit more police officers into their ranks. Other agencies went further to lay off police officers and institute hiring freezes. Even in times of financial difficulty, it is important to carry out proper rec ruitment strategies. The law enforcement agencies success starts with its recruitment strategies. Hiring and retaining shortcomings that have plagued the law enforcement agencies all over the United States persist today. Many applicants who are mainly recruited for policing are being recruited by other industries. Small and rural police departments are finding it impossible to compete against their larger counterparts in the hiring efforts. With the changing demographics, law enforcement agencies must ensure that their department’s staff represents the communities they serve.