Police Recruitment Down 27-60% Nationally, Sparking Calls for 'Progressive-Minded' Officer Influx

A recent social media post by prominent commentator Matthew Yglesias has ignited discussion around a novel approach to criminal justice reform: actively recruiting "progressive-minded young people" into law enforcement. This proposal emerges amidst a significant national crisis in police recruitment, with many departments reporting drastic declines in new applicants.

Yglesias, known for his policy analysis, articulated his view, stating, > "One of the most valuable “criminal justice reforms” would be for progressive leaders to make it the case that more progressive-minded young people want to get jobs as police officers." He further elaborated on this concept in his "Police for America" initiative, envisioning a program akin to Teach for America, designed to attract high-achieving college graduates to policing.

The call for new types of recruits comes as U.S. police departments face severe staffing shortages. Data indicates a substantial decrease in the number of recruits, ranging from 27% to 60% depending on the region. This decline is compounded by rising resignation and retirement rates, leaving many agencies understaffed and struggling to maintain services.

In response to these challenges, some police departments have begun to adjust hiring standards, including lowering college educational requirements, relaxing tattoo policies, and becoming more lenient regarding prior drug use or credit checks. This indicates the urgency of the recruitment crisis and the lengths agencies are going to fill vacancies.

The idea of attracting individuals with progressive values aims to address concerns about police culture and legitimacy. While efforts to diversify police forces, particularly with women and minorities, have been ongoing to improve community trust, the direct recruitment of those with a reform-oriented mindset represents a distinct strategy. The goal is to foster internal cultural change and bridge the gap between law enforcement and communities advocating for reform.