Arresting ambitions: Obstacles associated with recruiting college educated women to policing

• Published in: Policing : a journal of policy and practice 2024-01, Vol.18
• Main Authors: Powers, Edward L, Skaggs, Sherry Lynn, Hardwick, Kisha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1752-4512; 1752-4520
• DOI: 10.1093/police/paad085

Recruitment and retention are two of the greatest challenges for police agencies, community members, and leaders. Recently, agencies have faced shallow applicant pools and significant declines in retention longevity. Concerns over excessive force, especially fatal incidents in minority communities, have fostered anti-police sentiment, reduced the prestige of police work, and elevated negative perceptions of risk in policing careers. These factors contribute to recruitment and retention woes, especially in women, who often harbour reservations about pursuing careers in a male-dominated work environment. Using data collected from a series of six single-sex focus groups, this study assesses the challenges faced in recruitment of college educated females and their attitudes toward policing as a profession. Findings reveal support for theories of person-vocation fit as primary motivations and barriers to careers in policing for women. Respondent concerns centre around personal interest, family and media pressures, and perceptions about the nature of police work.