The recruitment and retention of high-quality personnel are vital to creating a workforce equipped to meet the demands of modern policing. Modern and effective recruitment efforts promote an environment of professional excellence, continuous learning, and career development opportunities.

A group of police officers in uniform engaging in a focused discussion outdoors. They are wearing badges and tactical gear, including body cameras and radios.

Resources Related to Recruitment and Retention

Visit the Knowledge Lab’s full resource index here.

  • Implementation Tools

  • Type of product

  • Audience

  • Reset

Report | 2024

The State of Recruitment & Retention: A Continuing Crisis for Policing 2024 Survey Results

  • Recruitment and Retention

Article | 2021

Building Trust Inside and Out The Challenges of Legitimacy Facing Police Leaders

  • Crime and Violence Response
  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Public Transparency
  • Recruitment and Retention

Report | 2021

Recruiting for Diversity in Law Enforcement: Selected Recent Research Insights

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Recruitment and Retention

Video | 2020

Promising Practices in Police Recruitment, Selection, Training, and Retention

  • Crime and Violence Response
  • Recruitment and Retention

Case Study, Guidebook/Tool, Report | 2020

Recruiting and Retaining Women Police Officers – The Message Your Organization Sends Matters

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Recruitment and Retention

Article | 2020

Recruiting from the Inside Out: The Waxahachie Way

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Recruitment and Retention

Article | 2020

Start at the Beginning: Changing Police Culture by Changing Recruit Training

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Recruitment and Retention

Video | 2020

Understanding Police Culture – Don’t All Cops Think Alike?

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Use of Force
  • Officer Safety and Wellness
  • Recruitment and Retention

The information provided within these modules has been gathered from various sources, including legal reviews, research, and practitioner and department-developed resources. These webpage modules are intended to be a guide for departments to use to improve their policing practices. Additional information and resources may be needed to implement the recommendations successfully. This resource is intended to be dynamic, and the Knowledge Lab will continue to update and add to these modules to provide additional and current guidance for departments.

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