LE AS A REWARDING CAREER – ATTRACTING THE NEXT GENERATION LEOS

LE as a Rewarding Career – Attracting the Next Generation LEOs

Law enforcement is an enjoyable and rewarding career. However, with high tensions and increased scrutiny surrounding the work of law enforcement, now is the time to think about how your department will do its part in attracting the next generation of honorable law enforcement officers. Millennials and Gen Zers now make up nearly 50 percent of the workforce. Find out how your department can tap into this growing labor force, and how to showcase the exciting opportunities that accompany a career as a LEO. 

Utilize Social Media

The easiest and most efficient way to come into contact with potential recruits is through social media. About ninety percent of people between the ages of 18 to 29 use social media. Establishing a social media presence for your department will make it easy for the next generation of LEOs to learn about your department, establish relationships early in their careers, and be notified of job opportunities. The content for your department’s social media accounts should focus on positive stories and the work that your officers are doing. 

Keep Your Department’s Website Up-To-Date

In addition to having an active social media presence, it’s important that your department has an up-to-date website. The website should be integrated with the latest website designs, be updated regularly with new content, and be mobile friendly. An up-to-date website ensures that it will be easier for potential recruits to come across the site, and make it easier for them to learn more about your department. 

To make the most out of your department’s website for recruitment, be sure to include things such as: 

  • Policing philosophy 
  • Diversity
  • Achievements
  • Career opportunities 
  • Salary scale
  • Benefit packages

Highlight the Things They Care About the Most 

Surveys have found that millennials care more about doing work they consider meaningful than having a large paycheck. That means law enforcement recruiters are having to adjust the way they talk about police work. Instead of focusing on the earning potential of being a LEO, recruiters should focus on the difference that law enforcement officers make in their communities. Talk about the department’s latest achievements, share inspiring stories from the people that the department serves, and physically show them the community that they would serve.

In addition to highlighting the meaningful work police officers do, recruiters should also showcase the diversity of skill sets that candidates can utilize in a law enforcement career. You can do that by talking about the various positions that are available within the LE career. If the prospective recruit has a passion for science, then introduce them to the opportunity of becoming an evidence technician. Do they enjoy advocating for people? Explain how they can become a victim advocate. Highlight the fact that there are multiple areas for growth within the LE career. 

Make Training Flexible and Interactive

Not only does your department need to attract the next generation of law enforcement officers, you also need to retain them. Effective training is an essential part of attracting and retaining the next generation of LEOs. Training should be hands-on and scenario-based. When recruits are not in the classroom, ensure that they have an online training program that will allow them to have access to training materials and information 24/7. Not only will having an online training program make training easier for recruits, but it will also allow instructors to monitor their progress and make any necessary adjustments. 

Recruiting Made Easier with MdE, Inc. 

Your department should stand out as a modern and exciting career choice to attract the best prospects. MdE’s Interactive and engaging training software gives you a huge advantage over the competition for the next generation of LEOs.  MdE has been helping departments successfully train recruits since 1999, and we can help your department, too.  Contact us today to learn more.