• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.384-392
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• 2011

Recruitment and selection are separate but mutually reinforcing processes. The goal of recruitment is to attract the largest number of applicants possible to apply to the agency, and selection is the process of weeding out unqualified candidates and identifying qualified candidates. In this context, the recruitment and selection system of police officials is an important issue because it affects their future performance as police officers on the job, especially their policing skills, perception of society, occupational ethics. This study suggested the characteristics of U. S. recruitment and selection system of police officials. In the U. S, each police agency sets up its own recruitment and selection standards and procedures. However, recruitment and selection process follows a certain sequence : receiving application, psychological examination, background check, polygraph test, drug screening, interview, physical agility, and medical test. Special characteristic of American police system regarding recruitment and selection is that many law enforcement agencies use a polygraph test to ensure the integrity of the candidates. Another interesting screening process is a drug test because many Americans abuse illegal drugs. A candidate officer must submit urine or a hair sample for screening test. Police human resources specialists should continually identify the most innovative tests and approaches recruit and select police officers. Recruitment and selection strategies should increasingly attract and retain those officers who have the attributes to work in a community-oriented policing environment.