Frank Watson: Police Recruiting Challenges

The Spokane County Sheriff has informed us that he may not be able to find enough qualified applicants to fill vacant positions. The standards are very high. Less than one out of five applicants meet the minimum criteria. The police accept only the best of the best.

Despite the stringent criteria, there have always been enough applicants who make the cut. That is no longer the case, and it is not a local problem. Police departments across the country are finding it increasingly difficult to attract new officers. Large cities like Seattle and Portland have experienced a 90 percent drop in applications in the past 10 years. Experts blame the low pay and the inherent danger of the job. I think these experts are wrong.

The danger is very real, but it is not the cause for the low number of applicants. A shooting war is probably the most dangerous group activity that I know of. But recruiting for the military is actually easier when there is a high probability that the applicant will see combat. Moreover, most applicants actually request the most dangerous assignments. It is easy to recruit for the Army Rangers or the Navy SEALS. Fewer young Americans volunteer for support duty behind the lines.

Studies of human motivation have repeatedly confirmed that money, beyond enough for necessities is not a motivator. Higher pay is only a motivator when it is viewed as recognition for a job well done. Positive recognition is a motivator, as is respect, and favorable status within the community. Police are finding these real motivators less and less common.

When I was a school kid, we frequently played cops and robbers during recess.

We all wanted to be the good guys who triumphed over the evil robbers.

Policemen kept our community safe.

They made sure our bank wasn’t robbed.

They made sure our homes were safe.

They maintained order on our roadways and restored order in the chaos of disasters.

They were the good guys.

Today they are frequently portrayed as a racist brigade who persecute law abiding citizens for no apparent reason.

When they apprehend a suspect, rather than applaud the removal of a threat from society, the spotlight is focused on whether or not the officers used excessive force.

Excessive force cannot be defined for every situation.

What level of force is acceptable for an officer responding to an armed robbery of a convenience store? What level of force is acceptable when a patrolman on a routine traffic stop encounters a driver either drunk or stoned with a gun? Few bright young men and women apply to be low paid, endangered bad guys.

Are there occasions where police officers make bad decisions or abuse their power? Absolutely! Police departments have no choice but to recruit from the human race, and humans are a fallible species.

Police officers are husbands, fathers, little league coaches and are subject to all the human imperfections that you and your neighbors have.

Despite potential failings, they consistently handle explosive situations in a highly professional manner, but police doing a good job is not newsworthy.

On the other hand, police acting less than perfect makes great headlines.

Sheriff Knezovich stated in a recent news conference that our society is, at least partly, to blame for the tragic shooting at Freeman High School.

He indicated that the national media frequently assigns hero status to criminals at the expense of the police.

He may have a point.

Police officers take an oath similar to those enlisting in the military. They swear to uphold the law and to protect all citizens. It has recently become common to thank active duty military and veterans for their service. I can testify that it feels good to be appreciated. I suggest the same sign of appreciation be extended to police officers. To all who serve and protect: Thank you for your service.

(Frank Watson is a retired Air Force Colonel and a long time resident of Eastern Washington. He has been a free lance columnist for over 18 years.)