Inspector Lindsay Newlove and Karen Larkin explain how police recruitment has changed and why forces can no longer rely on candidates simply coming through the door. With competition rising across emergency services and younger generations engaging differently, the focus is now on outreach, mentoring and building interest much earlier.
The video explores how York Regional Police is trying to create long-term pathways into policing, from youth information sessions and paid summer roles to student cadets, cadets, fitness support and female-focused recruitment through the 30 Forward campaign. The message throughout is that recruitment is no longer just about hiring today’s officers, but about building tomorrow’s workforce and helping candidates feel they belong before they even apply.
Key takeaways
- York Regional Police says recruiting police officers has become much more challenging in recent years.
- A major theme is that forces now need to use social media and earlier outreach to attract younger candidates.
- The 30 Forward campaign is designed to encourage more women into policing.
- York is investing heavily in youth engagement through school outreach, information sessions and hands-on events.
- Paid pathways such as youth in policing, student cadets and cadet roles are central to the long-term strategy.
- The force sees mentoring as a key thread running through all of its recruitment programmes.
- York also works with fire and paramedic partners because many candidates consider all three emergency service careers.
- The wider goal is not just to recruit, but to attract the right people and retain them through culture and belonging.
Chapters
00:36 – Why police recruiting has become harder
01:13 – What candidates experience when they arrive
01:45 – Why social media and younger audiences matter
02:42 – The 30 Forward campaign and female recruitment
03:16 – Youth pathways into policing
05:15 – Why mentoring runs through everything
06:40 – Why York works with fire and EMS too
07:24 – Fitness, special constables and more routes in
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