Thread by @rylan_simpson

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