Police departments use video marketing efforts to attract more recruits

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – Police departments are thinking outside the box to try to overcome a difficult hiring environment. The Fort Wayne Police Department and Indiana State Police have launched video campaigns to attract more applicants. In some cases, people from other professions are targeted.

The marketing efforts come as police departments around the world seek to recover from the negative feelings left by minorities and other groups about law enforcement. The Fort Wayne Police Department released a new video on Facebook in January that highlights department payroll officers who came from other careers, ranging from former bank tellers and factory workers, to even a former FedEx courier.

Police departments traditionally hire a number of people from the military, as well as college graduates. But attracting recruits from other professions can also make a difference.

“You could be halfway through a career and decide, hey, you know what, this career isn’t for me. I don’t like it, I’m not happy with it, I’ve always wanted do law enforcement, let me pivot and go this route,” said Sgt. Jeremy Webb with Fort Wayne PD.

The Indiana State Police, which is significantly below full strength statewide, uses a recruiting video to give potential candidates a glimpse of the full range of opportunities available by the agency.

“We have better technology these days to exploit our opportunities and to show what we are and that really helps,” said Sgt. Brian Walker, with the Fort Wayne station of the Indiana State Police.

You can visit This site to learn more about job opportunities at ISP.