Embracing Civilianization: Modern Policing and Professional Staff

This episode discusses a report from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), supported by the Motorola Solutions Foundation, examining the concept of civilianization within law enforcement agencies, which involves hiring professional staff for roles traditionally held by sworn officers. It highlights the staffing crisis facing many police departments and presents civilianization as a strategic solution to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and allow sworn officers to focus on core law enforcement duties. The publication draws upon research, interviews with personnel from 20 agencies, and case studies to discuss the benefits, challenges, and best practices of implementing civilianization, including suggested positions for civilian roles and how to evaluate program effectiveness.