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New era in police recruitment
Law enfocement now looking for "compassionate people"
Police Recruitment Heal
In this Wednesday, June 1, photo Steven Mocarski, right, punches a pad held by Ryan Ali during a Jersey City Police Department training exercise in Jersey City, N.J. Police recruiting is entering a new age. Scrutiny and hostility for officers have amplified. Hampered by low pay and threats to generous pension plans, some of the country's largest police forces saw significant drops in applicants long before chants of "hands up, don't shoot," ''I can't breathe" and "black lives matter" entered the zeitgeist. Attaining and maintaining diversity remains a challenge. - photo by Associated Press
They poach officers from nearby police departments. They entice recruits by playing up the drama and heroism of policing through video close-ups of flashing lights and holstered guns. They wrestle with how to offer better pay.
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