Policing is facing #recruitment crisis: # applicants continue to ↓ across continent.
One tool freq used by #police = recruitment videos. But what do these videos highlight & how can they affect who applies?
In new article, I explore these ?s: doi.org/10.1093/police…
🧵:
1/15
Police #recruitment #videos serve several related functions, incl to:
1. Attract prospective applicants to the PD;
2. Communicate specific roles, responsibilities & benefits of a career with the PD;
3. Help prospective applicants assess their potential with the PD.
2/15
In light of their functions, it’s important to consider how content of #videos may impact who applies for #policing #careers, and, in turn, who becomes police officers.
This is especially relevant given the challenges currently facing #policing, like the legitimacy crisis.
3/15
As part of my research, I compiled a national sample of nearly 600 #police #recruitment #videos from across 🇺🇸.
My sample includes recruitment videos from all types of PDs: from very small to very large PDs, from municipal to state PDs, from west coast to the east coast.
4/15
I next had a team of trained #coders review each recruitment video multiple times, in detail, to code for the presence of many dift variables, incl:
1. Video characteristics
2. Officer representation
3. Informational content
4. Behavioral content
… which I then analyzed.
5/15
I find that many recruitment videos feature high-speed #driving, use of #firearms, demo of #K9 & #SWAT units, and general emphasis on #men, #masculinity & #physicality.
Some videos feature community-oriented behavs, but such behavs often less salient than former behavs.
6/15
eg: 66% of videos featured officers driving high-speed with their emergency lights and sirens activated, sometimes in the form of a vehicle pursuit…
7/15
eg: 66% of videos featured a demonstration of the #SWAT unit, typically engaged in a high-risk activity… and 19% displayed officers conducting a gun-point #takedown.
8/15
eg: 67% of videos showcased the #canine unit, often conducting a physical apprehension of an alleged suspect…
9/15
eg: 6% of videos depicted officers #rappelling: an incredibly rare but high-stakes activity in #policing.
10/15
A large % of videos also showed officers engaged in #physical #exercise and #training, including when at the gun #range and at the #gym.
11/15
Only about half of videos presented officers engaged in traditional community-oriented activities, like engaging with children/elderly or participating in a #community event.
12/15
Why might this matter? Content of #recruitment #videos may impact who applies to be #police #officers!
By shaping characteristics of the applicant pool, these videos exhibit the potential to impact the trajectory of the #policing institution, which is under much scrutiny.
13/15
Police agencies require good people who want to pursue #policing careers for right reasons.
Changing videos may change #applicant characteristics. But changing characteristics could also change applicant #s.
↑ numbers may allow for more selection among applicant pool.
14/15
Police should consider content of #recruitment #materials & potential implications of such materials.
Through research & informed strategies, it’s possible that #police may be able to better navigate recruitment crisis.
Full article: doi.org/10.1093/police…
?s: Msg me!
15/15
To access/download the full article for free, please visit: academic.oup.com/policing/advan…
@EBpolicing @CAN_SEBP @Society_EBP
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