Most departments want to increase the number of female officers in their ranks, but the applicant pool usually lacks qualified candidates. This isn't surprising, since police work remains a male-dominated profession. Even now, many women don't think being an officer is an achievable career path.
Many agencies shy away from targeting specific groups due to fear of liability. However, there is a clear difference between target recruiting and target hiring. Surely, an agency can't promote they're hiring from within one specific group. However, there's nothing wrong with engaging in a specific campaign to encourage qualified females to apply.
So how do we recruit qualified women?
First, the Internet can no longer be overlooked as a tool. Not only can job search engines be used to post an open hiring process, but they can also be useful in recruitment. Most departments in today's era have Websites. With today's generations being so computer savvy, the Web is a necessity for every department.
An agency should utilize their Website by creating a recruiting link. This area of the Website would provide answers to the most commonly asked questions and links to print applications and other necessary paperwork to apply.
An ideal illustration of Web recruitment is the
U.S. Capital Police website
. Another suggestion is to create a sub-page within the recruitment area dedicated to "women in policing." This would provide images and duties of females currently working for the department, demonstrating to potential female candidates that it's possible to be a successful officer. An excellent example is the
Norfolk (Va.) PD's website
.
Secondly, your agency can conduct job fairs, which can be targeted towards colleges, women's groups, or other organizations where women can be located.
Seeking out colleges with educational programs focusing on law enforcement would improve the selection of qualified candidates. However, a criminal justice degree isn't always necessary — many departments look for educated candidates in numerous fields of study. It would also be beneficial to host job fairs at high schools, which provides girls interested in law enforcement the ability to focus early and prepare themselves. This creates a qualified job pool for the future.
Finally, your agency can get involved in direct recruiting by
hosting a women's recruitment event
. This is an opportunity to have potential female candidates learn about the hiring process, the demands of the police academy and the job, and what opportunities and benefits the agency can provide.
The agency should utilize sworn female officers to conduct the events. This provides an opportunity for potential recruits to get answers to their questions, or concerns they may have about getting involved in police work. It also sends a clear message that women can be successful police officers — that it can be an option for them.
In conjunction with Web pages, job fairs or recruitment nights, any brochures or posters your department uses must include female officers engaged in police activities.
When departments reach out to qualified females, it sends a clear message that they're welcomed and valued. The agencies are able to dramatically increase the number of females who are hired, sent to the academy, and eventually join the force.
