Leadership Impact
on Police Recruiting
By: Chief Dan Flynn, Marietta Police Department
Recruiting sufficient numbers of new police officer applicants who are physically, mentally
and morally fit to serve has always been a challenge. Today, however, it is more difficult
than ever, mainly as a result of anti-police bias in the mainstream news media. Many
employment decision makers and administrators feel the only way to counter negative
hiring trends and fill mounting numbers of police vacancies is by increasing salary and
incentives, and sadly in some cases, lowering hiring standards. In the short run, these kinds
of strategies may help a little, but too many police agencies continue to have large numbers
of vacancies even after implementing these changes. With so many unfilled positions,
remaining officers have to pick up the slack and often suffer burnout and all of its negative
consequences.
Consider that many of the 20-40 year old age group were educated in an atmosphere where
everyone who participated in a sport received a trophy, win or lose. Meanwhile, parents told
their growing children how special they were, whether they were or weren’t; and teachers
and college professors told them they each had the potential to change the world overnight.
Therefore, it is no wonder that those who aspire to careers in public safety become disillu-
sioned when they learn in advance of applying, or shortly after being hired, of old style
managers and supervisors who are quick to get in their faces and correct them, sometimes
in harsh terms even in routine situations. In reality, the 20-40 year old group is prone
to ask more questions and expect answers, and they are accustomed to receiving positive
individual attention with better two-way communication than their predecessors. It is not
that the newest group(s) can’t become strong, dedicated, patriotic police officers, it is just
that we need to communicate with them in a different way. Remember, police departments
do not have the rank of private. Privates in the military are not expected to ask questions;
officers are.
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