An Experimental Assessment of Bonuses on Police Officer Retention Intentions

• In Event: A Statewide Assessment of Police Recruitment and Retention in Ohio

Abstract

Many police agencies across the U.S. have used financial incentives to address recruitment and retention related challenges. Despite the proliferation of these efforts, research has yet to examine whether these bonuses impact staffing levels or individual willingness to serve as a police officer. As part of a statewide assessment of police retention, officers from fifteen Ohio agencies participated in a survey about their retention intentions, organizational perceptions, and the importance of various programs and policies in shaping their employment decisions. The current study presents the results of a conjoint survey experiment embedded within that survey to examine the impact of bonuses on officers’ willingness to continue their police employment. The experiment specifically manipulated the amount of the retention bonus and the obligation to repay the bonus if the officer leaves the organization within a specified timeframe. The results provide actionable recommendations for agencies seeking to retain personnel by examining the influence of bonuses, bonus amounts, and repayment requirements on retention intentions.

Authors

• Jessica Huff, University of Cincinnati

• Cory P. Haberman, University of Cincinnati

• Brenna Dunlap, University of Cincinnati

• Trey Bussey, University of Cincinnati

• Bradley O'Guinn, University of Cincinnati