Understanding the influences, motivations and job expectations of policing students in the Gen Z environment: Early indications from a longitudinal study

As police agencies across the globe continue to address recruitment and attrition within their organisations, the voices of early career, i.e. police recruit, officers offer insight into what motivates recruits to join the police profession and their expectations of the role ahead of them. This article presents initial findings from the first of six cohorts of police recruit students who are part of a 5-year longitudinal study as they commence their policing careers. Findings from survey data suggest that supporting the community and expectation of good career prospects were the highest ranked motivators. Having a family member in the police force was indicated as a strong source of knowledge and influence on joining a police organisation, and this together with the opportunity for a long-term career were strong motivators, particularly for Generation Z respondents. The study findings offer indicative trends for police organisational recruitment strategy deliberations.