Roundtable: Ongoing Research on Police Workforce Strategy by Graduate Student Partners of MSU's Police Staffing Observatory

Session Submission Type: Roundtable Sessions

Abstract/Description

Police agencies worldwide have struggled to maintain their allocation levels, diversify their workforces, and meet workload and community demands. The COVID-19 pandemic, police reform movement, changing demographics and generational preferences are just some of the factors thought to contribute to the current police staffing challenge. The Michigan State University Police Staffing Observatory (PSO) is a global consortium of police staffing scholars and subject matter experts working collaboratively to develop and share research that informs police workforce strategy and development. In this session, graduate student collaborators of the Michigan State University Police Staffing Observatory will share insights from their ongoing research projects aimed at addressing various aspects of the police staffing challenge. Scott Mourtgos, who will be serving as a discussant, will provide feedback on the challenges, opportunities, and resources associated with advancing police staffing research faced by graduate students and provide practical lessons for building effective police workforces. Among others, topics will include attrition, recruitment program building and strategy, and retention.

Sub Unit

• Area XIV. Roundtables

Chairs

• Tiana Gaudette, Michigan State University

• Ethan Michael Humphrey, Michigan State University Police Staffing Observatory

Discussants

• Scott Mourtgos, University of South Carolina

• Ryan Sandrin, Simon Fraser University

• Nathan Cronin, Michigan State University

• Bradley O'Guinn, University of Cincinnati