In numerous cities across the United States, a crisis is brewing in understaffed law enforcement departments, as the administration's battle for the limited few individuals qualified and capable of performing the required duties to fill their ranks. The improving economy, the current attitude in society referencing police officers, a focus on negative media coverage, as well as non-competitive compensation have all been attributed to the diminished interest in careers in law enforcement (Ali, 2017). The city of Houston Texas is just one of the cities scrambling to find officers, with nearly two thousand positions for law enforcement officers available (CNBC, 2018). Additionally, it is reported that in 2016 the state of California had seen over …show more content…
The innovative efforts have driven one agency to get creative with their recruiting efforts, Fort Worth Texas introduced a recruiting video featuring Stormtroopers and Darth Vader in a effort to gain the attention of potential applicants (The Economist, 2017). In an effort to increase the applicant pool some agencies have reduced their education requirements and physical requirements. Additionally, some agencies have offered sign-on bonuses to new officers, in Topeka Kansas a bonus of $5,000 was offered to get a leg up on recruiting new officers (Cobb, 2017). Law enforcement agencies are reaching out to high schools and colleges in an effort to engage students at a young age with the implementation of explorer programs within their departments. The explorer program introduces students to the field of law enforcement as well as the agency in hopes of spiking interest in the profession. The recruiting officers of some agencies are attending job fairs within colleges as well as at military stations in hopes of gaining the interest of capable individuals. A more accommodating schedule can also entice new recruits to join the ranks of a …show more content…
An exact numerical figure is not necessary since you could contact most any agency in the nation and find they are currently seeking applicants to fill vacant positions. The increase in available jobs within the United States has created a wonderful opportunity for many Americans, consequently, this increase has had a negative effect on the field of law enforcement. This is one of the issues the governing officials controlling the budgets of law enforcement agencies need to be aware of. In the interest of public safety it is important to keep experienced, well trained, educated officers on the force. Additionally, the media, as well as some citizens, need to stop falsifying news stories, dramatizing minor issues, moreover, giving law enforcement officers a bad reputation within our country. A recent example of dramatization of a traffic stop was posted on social media alleging racial discrimination and threats were made by an officer to a black female (Burkett, 2018). The female driver made statements on video referencing a traffic stop advising she feared for her safety as an officer who had stopped her made threats to pull her out of her vehicle. In response, the Brunswick County Sheriff’s
Many businesses require their upper-level leadership to have a degree. The police departments are now starting to change to that style of education hiring. The hiring process can be very complicated because the police department wants to ensure that they are hiring the right person that fits their department. Choosing the right applicant for the job is an important decision because of the cost of the equipment, uniforms, training, and probation period because this is an investment in the departments future (Dempsey, & Forst, 2016). Because the police departments are requiring their officers to have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree for an entry-level position will make the department more completive, but the department should still consider
The article also discusses the challenges of attracting and recruiting police officers. Many police departments pay higher than the state police department, which tends to draw the police officers’ attention. Currently state police departments have to decide how to attract police
Unfortunately, the financial trend that has been seen in policing will likely continue for the foreseeable future, which will not only limit the ability to confront these new critical issues, but will likely exacerbate them as well (Police Executive, 2013). It is also foreseeable that new state efforts to combat their overall economic struggles will serve as a critical issue with adverse policing affects as well. More and more states continue to modify their early release policies, putting criminals back onto the streets sooner and in greater numbers than ever before, which has caused
When an individual chooses a career in law enforcement they realize it can be a very rewarding, yet dangerous career path to take. Most people often hear about all the potential dangers such as officer involved shootings and physical confrontations before making the choice to join the ranks of the few who will always stand for what is right. However, today there is a new danger to law enforcement known as the mass media which adds a whole new realm of difficulty to an already taxing job. The negative effects of the media can be felt nationwide by law enforcement agencies and these effects include creating a divided community, unrealistic expectations, and the devastation of current and future law enforcement careers. This presentation
Policing in the United States has changed dramatically since it was first brought to the thirteen colonies from England. However, some of the issues faced then are being faced in policing today. There are also new trends that are prevalent, and these trends will continue to have lasting effects on the future of policing. Even though new trends improve policing overall, they can also cause more serious issues. It is crucial to continue making changes topolicing because it allows law enforcement officers to keep up with the rest of society, including the knowledge of new crime trends. This paper will
The profession of policing derives its effectiveness from its ability to attract and employ quality individuals who will strive to better their community. Therefore proper recruitment and selection of officers is incredibly important to a police organization. Some major needs to Missouri’s recruitment process will be addressed in the following paragraphs.
Over the last several years, most police departments have been facing numerous financial challenges. The main reason is law enforcement agencies are expected to do more with less and the stagnant economy. The combination of these factors has been placing pressure on many departments to begin imposing budget cuts. Evidence of this can be seen with a survey that was conducted by the University of North Carolina. They found that 67% of police departments made some kind of budget cuts for 2011. The most severe reductions were occurring in large police departments such as Los Angeles, Atlanta and Detroit. (Delfem, 2011, pp. 199 - 205) This is illustrating one of the most pressing issues affecting a wide variety of police departments across the country. To fully understand what is happening requires: examining the situation, how they are able to interact with other agencies (i.e. state / federal) and recommending the way this relationship can be improved. Together, these elements will offer specific insights about how police departments can effectively address this problem.
Some departments offer better insurance packages to the new recruits or more flexible sifts. Some departments even provide take home vehicles for their officers. The police recruiters have to come up with new ways of connecting with new recruits. During this century the technology has gotten so advanced with computers, cell phones and different ways to collect evidence the new recruits need to be knowledgeable or have the ability and willingness to learn.
Police Agencies in modern society are a part of the American fabric to serve and protect the American public. The United States currently have more than 15,000 police agencies, (Walker & Katz, 2011). Police Departments across the United States face similar critical issues policing. All police officers face dangers in the job of policing the dangers can emanate from internal and external origins. Police officers have continued to evolve to serve communities by finding better less than lethal alternatives to weapons used. In addition, police departments have continued to keep up with
However, as urban society evolved technologically and socially, so did criminal activity. Budgets are a constant issue with the modern police force, and typically there are not enough officers in major urban areas to adequately engage in the mission statements of their respective organizations. In fact, according to an article in the New York Times, police violence, a so-called "cowboy mentality" runs rampant in many jurisdictions. Due to staff shortages and schedules,
Gaines, L. K., & Kappeler, V. E. (2014). Policing in america (8th ed.). (S. Decker-Lucke, Ed.) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America: Anderson Publishing. Retrieved January 2017
Surveys, case studies, and decades of experience from numerous police departments across the country has provided us with useful information that has allowed us to make changes to improve community policing. In addition, the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) has helped state and local law enforcement agencies develop and enhance their effectiveness in advancing public safety through the implementation of community policing strategies. Since its creation in 1994, the COPS Office has awarded more than $14 billion dollars in grants across the Nation to hire more officers, purchase new technology, and support local problem-solving approaches to fighting crime and disorder (Schneider, 2003). In 1997, COPS established the Advancing Community Policing (ACP) Grant Program to help agencies strengthen and institutionalize their community policing programs. The program focused on the process of organizational change. Over the past 24 years, the COPS office has made many accomplishments, including the widespread success of community policing and the vast progress made by the law enforcement field in embracing this philosophy. As of 2013, the COPS office has distributed more than two million topic-specified publications, training curricula, white papers, and resource CDs. By the end of 2013, they had funded approximately 125,000 additional officers for more than 13,000 of the nation’s 18,000 law enforcement agencies across the country. Nearly 700,000 law enforcement personnel, community members, and government leaders have been trained through COPS Office-funded training organizations. Here’s a glimpse into what the COPS office has in store for 2018. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2018, the COPS Office requests a total of $218,000,000; included in that total is $207 million for the COPS Hiring Program (CHP) to assist in hiring additional sworn law enforcement professionals; $10 million for
In recent years, recruitment and retention of police officers has been a pain point for many departments across the nation. Odd and inflexible hours, uncompetitive pay, para-militaristic organizational structures, and a negative public perception have all worked to diminish the pool of applicants interested in careers in law enforcement. Add to the mix the sexist “brotherhood” police culture, emphasis on masculinity and aggression, and the nearly non-existent opportunities for advancement for women, and over half of the eligible workforce has been discouraged from even considering a career in law enforcement. In 2013, women comprised just over 57% of the labor force, but accounted for only 13% of sworn police officers (USDOL, 2013; Crooke, 2013). Not only are women sorely underrepresented in the field of law enforcement, but those who are employed experience discrimination at the hands of their supervisors and coworkers, and as a result, the attrition rate for women is often much higher than that of their male counterparts. Departments should pledge dedication to recruiting and retaining more female officers, as research indicates that not only do females perform just as well as males in patrol positions, but they also have a unique set of advantages to offer agencies when employed in law enforcement. In order to improve the recruitment and retention of females into policing roles, departments must determine the biggest deterrents for women who are considering the pursuit
New officers need to know that no profession demands a higher ethical standard than law enforcement. Whether or not there are other careers that require a similar dedication to doing the right thing, it is undeniable that there is a tremendous degree of expectations placed upon police officers. Every officer knows, or at least should know by now, that they live in a fishbowl. Friends, relatives, neighbors and strangers watch every move law enforcement officers make, both on and off duty. The fact is that the public scrutinizes police officers more than most other professions, either because they are cynical or hope to catch them screwing up or because they are hopeful
more with less. Many police departments have had to lay off officers, and some have eliminated