Policing is not for me: repelling factors implicated in vocational choice elimination

Abstract

ABSTRACT Occupational choice involves both attracting and repelling forces. The changing nature of police work and public scrutiny surrounding officers’ participation in incidents involving racial bias and excessive force have resulted in shifting perceptions of the profession among the general public, serving as forces that move people away from the occupation. While much recent research focuses on motivating and attracting forces, it is equally important to address attributes that are implicated in keeping potential candidates from considering policing as a viable career choice, given rising rates of attrition and lack of new recruits. Utilising a sample of undergraduate criminal justice majors (N = 152), a logistic regression indicated gender, race/ethnicity, need for power, and meaningful work act as significant predictors for eliminating policing as a career choice. Analysis of qualitative responses further supports our results, as well as provides additional insight into participants’ decision to exclude policing as a career choice. Job attributes (e.g. dangerous conditions, bad hours), lack of fit, and poor occupational image were identified as key themes for vocational choice elimination. Findings have implications for the recruitment and retention of law enforcement personnel, as well as efforts to increase diversity within policing agencies.