This article presents strategies for enhancing law enforcement recruitment websites that target the details deterring women from considering policing as a career.
This document serves as a guidance for law enforcement agencies as they rethink how they present themselves to potential recruits, with the specific goal of recommending strategies that will increase the recruitment of women into policing careers. The guidance includes advice on the development and implementation of family-friendly policies and practices, and reducing bias found in many traditional physical fitness tests. It also highlights the importance of effectively communicating progress and changes that have already been implemented by police in addressing issues that discourage women from police careers. The article lists five principles that should guide an agency’s recruitment website as well as seven key barriers that dissuade applicants from pursuing law enforcement careers. The article also includes a recently released, downloadable guide with instructions and examples on how to address each of those challenges.