How to Recruit the Best Candidates and Retain Them

Saturday, October 14, 2023

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM PST

Location: Room: 3

Moderator(s)

Thurston Bryant

Senior Policy Advisor
U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Speaker(s)

ED

Eric Drifmeyer

Senior Project Manager
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
Alexandria, Virginia, United States
James Mendonca

Director of Security and Safety/Chief of Campus Police
Rhode Island College Campus Police
Matthew Tye, JD

Assistant Chief- Community Outreach & Resource Education
City of Madison Police Department
Madison, Wisconsin, United States

The law enforcement profession finds itself at a critical juncture – with an increase in the number of officers leaving or retiring in recent years, it has become challenging to recruit quality candidates. In this workshop, we will take an in-depth look at the issue and its root causes to understand better what steps police leaders need to take to turn things around. Panelists will examine potential candidates' needs, priorities, and expectations and how to best appeal to them, as well as highlight proven innovative approaches they have implemented with successful outcomes. Representatives from the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the International Association of Chiefs of Police will share resources and best practices available through the Elevate Blue training program designed to assist agencies in recruiting and retaining the best candidates.