Get Youth Interested in a Law Enforcement Career

This is probably a situation that is more of areally never know who is watching, and tempering
regional issue, but one of the questions I wasour mannerisms and genuine empathy when it can
thinking over was how to get youth morebe afforded may often be a huge factor in
interested in police work. To my knowledge andshaping youth perceptions of the police and a
experience, most of the big city departments andcareer in law enforcement.
their suburbs are in a constant battle to keepOn the job can also be one of the best times for
their recruiting levels up, and it seems like thea child to form his/her opinion of the police. I have
standards are constantly being moved lower tokids coming up to me all the time asking for
meet recruiting goals. I'm sure this is more astickers, and this is one of the easiest ways to
reflection on society's development as a whole,show children the lighter side of my personality.
but that is a topic completely worth it's ownMild conversation from a uniformed officer when
discussion.kids are at this age can go a long way to forming
From a police officer's perspective, there are allperceptions of police in general later in life for the
types of things we can do to ensure kidschild. Kids always have questions about my police
continue to aspire to a career in law enforcement.equipment, and I never balk at the chance to
Many cities and police departments take it uponmake a good impression toward an inquisitive child.
themselves to host youth activities so policeWhat about policing each other? One of the
officers, the youth, and the local community inhardest things to do is correct a fellow officer,
general can all interact with one another in a safeespecially when it is something that more of a
and non-hostile environment. There's D.A.R.E.,personal preference and not a violation of
various mentor programs, police explorerdepartment policy. But officers with whom you
programs. But what are the things we can do asare friends should be open to your advice, given
regular line officers to make a better impressionyou haven't tarnished your own reputation or are
on youth so that they look at a career in policenot the type who always has unwelcome advice
work as something to be admired and notfor others. If you're coming from a place of
disdained? So where should the law enforcementgenuine concern, your words should fall on
community start? How do you get youth morereceptive ears.
interested in a career in law enforcement? AsThe media is going to be on the side of whatever
with any problem, there are many differentsells - be it advertising, subscriptions, box-office
approaches to tackling this situation, and there issales, whatever. So we can't count on them to
no one silver bullet that would be the go toportray what is in the best interest of law
solution.enforcement and recruiting levels. Parents also
Often times the most detrimental place kids canplay a huge role in shaping youth perceptions of
form their opinion of the police is while officerspolice, especially when these parents are habitual
are actively on the job. With officer safety andoffenders. Those in law enforcement and pro-law
civil liability concerns, not to mention mentallyenforcement citizenry must take their own
documenting all that is going at a given scene,proactive measures to ensure our youth continue
officers rarely have the luxury of stopping toto view a career in law enforcement and police
think what their actions might mean to a watchingwork in a positive light. It is good for the
child. Often times the most effective approach iscommunity and good for the department.
also most expedient. But these issues aside, we