(RightIsRight.co) – In an effort to reform the police in keeping with his hard-left views, Joe Biden and the Department of Justice (DOJ) want to force police departments to update their hiring practices. This comes in response to the ongoing challenges of hiring and retaining officers.
The DOJ advises departments to reevaluate hiring standards related to past criminal activities and drug use. Specifically, it suggests considering applicants with minor criminal records or incidents that occurred long ago.
The DOJ states, “[E]ligibility requirements for hiring need to be updated to reflect a more modern culture.” They emphasize that modernizing does not mean lowering standards but adapting them to the current realities of 21st-century policing. The aim is to find candidates who not only meet the basic requirements but also resonate with the values of their community. However, the DOJ clearly states that individuals with a history of severe criminal activity, substance abuse, or violence should not be considered for police roles.
Furthermore, the DOJ proposes several hiring process modifications, such as introducing video-based scenario questions for candidates, discontinuing polygraph tests, and initially hiring recruits as civilian employees. The DOJ also suggests a shift in training focus, emphasizing the importance of “positive reinforcement” over physical responses.
Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta highlighted the importance of addressing the current recruitment and retention crisis in police departments. She said, “The Justice Department knows that hiring and holding onto a highly qualified, committed, and diverse cadre of policing professionals is critical to public safety and police-community trust, and we are committed to working with our partners to address this crisis.”
Recent years have seen a decline in the number of individuals joining the police force. Factors contributing to this include a competitive job market and growing public scrutiny of law enforcement practices. According to the Police Executive Research Forum, there was a 50% increase in police resignations in 2022 compared to 2019, and the total number of active-duty officers has dropped by 5% since 2019.
The DOJ has not yet provided further comments on the matter.
