Increasing the number of policewomen through job advertisements and recruitment methods

How to increase diversity within policing is a question that has received substantial political and media attention in recent years. The ideal police applicant and the qualities sought have transformed alongside social changes, shifts in police work, and cultural variations. While many of these changes have created more opportunities for women, females remain underrepresented in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). As such, it is important to examine ways police organizations in Canada can entice more females to apply. One area of particular interest is the recruitment process, specifically the recruitment material developed. By exploring the existing literature and utilizing several theoretical models, this preliminary study describes the value of diversity within the professional context of policing, identifies how policies and recruitment methods have changed and outcomes of these changes, and explains how job postings may contribute to keeping the number of women low in the field of policing. Based on this assessment, practical recommendations are provided to develop effective advertisements to increase the number of women who apply to the RCMP.