I Can Haz Applicants: An Analysis of Police Recruitment and Marketing Through Social Media

• In Event: Posters II

Abstract

In recent decades, the Internet has erupted with the advancement of social media: apps, blogs, social networking, multimedia sources, podcasts, and more. Consequently, the Millennial Generation has grown up immersed in both the Internet and social media networks differently than previous generations. Due to the rapid expansion of social media outlets and the effect of these developments on new generations of future employees, police departments need to consider their agency “brand” and how effectively they market their departments to this generation for the purpose of recruitment. This research analysis employs a netnography to examine 500 police websites and their additional social media presence. This study furthers research regarding police recruitment strategies as well as articulating what agencies may do to strengthen relationships with communities through the use of social media.

Author

• Kelly Helldorfer, The University of Southern Mississippi