We thought it was important early on in this blog to explain what exactly Discover Policing is all about…
Recruiting quality officers in sufficient numbers is a priority for all law enforcement agencies. For many, it’s also a challenge. Even during tough economic times, departments are looking for employees with a strong service orientation who reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. With competition from other industries, military call-ups, and increased retirements, recruitment is as tough now as it has ever been. Furthermore, public misperception of the job, often fueled by the media and popular culture, adds to the challenge. But recruitment is a priority for most agencies – it has to be. Given that department leaders nearly always rise up through the ranks, any department’s future depends on its ability to attract and retain quality officers.
The concept of a nationwide recruitment effort to assist police agencies has been bouncing around the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) for years but finally gained some traction in 2007 with generous support from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance.
And thus, Discover Policing was born. Discover Policing is a nationwide police recruitment initiative designed to reframe the image of law enforcement and attract a broader, more diverse group of service-minded applicants to the profession. The cornerstone of this movement is our website (and now, this blog), which offers comprehensive information on law enforcement careers and a full-featured job board.
Through the website, this blog, and our other marketing and social media outlets, we hope to inspire a new generation to Discover Policing.
What is Discover Policing? Find out here in 30 seconds:
