NCJ Number
69536
Date Published
1968
Length
63 pages
Annotation
A SYMPOSIUM, SPONSORED BY THE (CALIFORNIA) BAY COUNTIES PEACE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION AND THE COMMISSION ON PEACE OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING, WAS HELD ON APRIL 3, 1968, AND FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON ISSUES OF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF PROFESSIONAL POLICE.
Abstract
SOME OF THE MAJOR PROBLEMS PREVENTING THE RECRUITMENT OF HIGHLY EDUCATED PROFESSIONAL POLICE ARE IDENTIFIED AS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION SCALES, THE LACK OF FINANCIAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES, THE LACK OF LATERAL-ENTRY OPPORTUNITIES, COMPETITION FROM OTHER PROFESSIONS, AND THE LACK OF CHANGE AND CHALLENGE IN POLICE OCCUPATIONS. POLICE CADET APPRENTICE PROGRAMS SUCH AS THOSE USED IN SEVERAL CALIFORNIA JURISDICTIONS ARE SUGGESTED AS ONE POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF RECRUITMENT. OTHERS INCLUDE CHANGING HEIGHT AND SIGHT REQUIREMENTS, SUBSIDIZING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND OFFERING SABBATICALS. A DISCUSSION OF THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT'S NEW RECRUITMENT PROGRAM DESCRIBES THE SURVEY CONDUCTED AMONG OFFICERS TO DETERMINE PROBLEMS IN RECRUITMENT AND THE CHANGES IMPLEMENTED IN RESPONSE TO SURVEY FINDINGS. THESE CHANGES INCLUDED DISTRIBUTING THE AUTHORITY TO ADMINISTER THE APPLICANT MEDICAL AND PERSONALITY INVENTORY TO LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS THUS CREATING MORE FLEXIBILITY IN TIME AND LOCATION OF THESE TESTS, STREAMLINING PROCEDURES TO SHORTEN THE PERIOD BETWEEN INITIAL APPLICATION AND EMPLOYMENT, AND GIVING RECRUITING OFFICERS MORE INCENTIVE FOR RECRUITMENT BY CREATING A COMPETITION. THE OFFICER TRAINING PROGRAM WAS ALSO REVAMPED. FINALLY, PARTICIPANTS IN A PANEL DISCUSSION DEAL WITH RECRUITMENT TECHNIQUES SUCH AS RESTRUCTURING THE ENTRANCE EXAMINAION TO GUARD AGAINST ELIMINATING POTENTIAL CANDIDATES WHO CANNOT FULFILL SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS INITIALLY ASKED BUT LESS IMPORTANT, LOOSENING UP AGE REQUIREMENTS SO THAT OLDER RECRUITS WHO ARE RELOCATED AND HAVE POLICE JOB EXPERIENCE CAN BE HIRED, AND RETHINKING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS THAT COULD BE FULFILLED IN CADET PROGRAMS.