Perceptions of policing by Australian senior secondary students: Implications for diversifying the recruit mix

Abstract

Six‐hundred‐and‐five New South Wales (Australia) senior secondary students were surveyed on their perceptions of police and policing, and their intention to pursue a policing career. It was found that males, students from skilled working‐class backgrounds and those with established personal links with police were the most likely to apply to join the police service. In addition, these students tended to have the most superficial view of policing, focusing on the glamour and excitement rather than its social service functions. Contrary to expectations, students from non‐English‐speaking backgrounds were often more positive in their views on police than were English‐speaking students, although this more positive perception did not translate into a greater intention to join the police service. It was argued that targeted recruitment and affirmative action was necessary in order to achieve diversification of the recruit mix.