NOV 2022. Blues Vol 38 No. 11

For example, the

For example, the Thornton Police Department, situated in a fast-growing community in the Denver metro area, hires officers every month and offers oral boards every week to “expedite our hiring process.” Thornton recruits are also able to start working for the department, earning salary and benefits, before entering the academy. Thornton also pays 100% of college costs for cadets, and as soon as someone is hired, the department initiates a career path. “We are trying to career path and individualize everybody, so they don’t just feel like a number,” Peters said. The Bryan Police Department has updated its hiring process to more regularly communicate with applicants. Melnyk shared how they help their recruits mitigate scheduling conflicts and keep them up to date on the hiring process timeline. Departments, like Thornton, are also creating websites just for recruiting. (Photo/Thornton PD) 5. Social media is critical. Nearly every police department has a social media presence. The panelists encouraged attendees to consider social media channels for recruiting. Some departments, like Thornton, are also creating websites just for recruiting. “The best thing we can do is really go out there and market ourselves as a police department and a city,” Melnyk said. “We’ve got to find a way to push ourselves into that arena.” At the Frederick Police Department, Hayer said, everyone is a recruiter. Collectively, department personnel sends thousands of emails every week. By including a “we’re hiring” with starting salary and benefits in the signature block of those emails, they are regularly reaching potential new recruits and lateral transfers. Several departments were spotlighted for their excellent recruiting videos. One example: Hayer mentioned the recent viral video from the Fort Worth (Texas) Police Department for clearly communicating the department’s opportunities and culture. LEARN MORE ABOUT POLICE OFFICER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION Police1 has dozens of articles, videos and other resources on police officer recruitment. You can learn more from the panelist’s departments by connecting with them on social media. • Frederick Police Department is on Twitter and Facebook. • Thornton Police Department is on Twitter and Facebook. • Bryan Police Department is on Twitter and Facebook. • Read the full research report, “Police retention and career perceptions: findings from an eightcity survey.” • Listen to Scheer discuss recruitment and retention on the Florida Sheriff’s Association podcast. Reprinted from Police1. Help us reach our goal of 100,000 subscribers. Click BELOW for your FREE SUBSCRIPTION. CLICK OR SCAN HERE 38 The BLUES The BLUES 39