NCJ Number
75832
Date Published
1980
Length
21 pages
Annotation
Developments in police recruitment and personnel administration practices since 1967 are reviewed, with particular attention to minority recruitment and selection criteria.
Abstract
Police forces have become more pluralistic as the increase in the percentage of sworn minority personnel demonstrates: from 4 percent in 1967 to 10 percent in 1977. However, this increase may simply reflect a change in the recruitment pool, rather than better recruitment or selection since the minority population in the cities grew from 16 to 20 percent during the same period and the recruitment pool among minorities between the ages 21 and 25 probably increased even more. Although women were barred from becoming patrol officers in at least 36 percent of the police departments surveyed in 1967, they are now eligible to serve on patrol in virtually all police agencies. In 1967, the average number of sworn women officers per department was three; by 1977, the number was 14. Furthermore, the overall percentage of such officers increased from 0.1 percent in 1967 to 3 percent in 1977. Most departments have also developed much more sophistication in personnel administration. Such terms as 'selection validation,' 'career counseling,' 'psychological counseling,' and 'job-related tests' are now commonly used, and many departments are conducting research on a variety of personnel issues. In addition, the training of police has become longer and more widespread; the educational level has increased substantially, and wages have more than kept pace with salaries in other occupations. On the negative side has been the failure of most police departments to improve rank structure and to allow for lateral entry. Also, few civilians have moved into policymaking jobs. Finally, the quality of police training and higher education is downgraded. Notes and references are included.