The Governor’s Crime Commission has introduced a new toolkit aimed at supporting law enforcement recruitment efforts across North Carolina. The “What It Takes” toolkit is designed to assist agencies, particularly those with limited resources, in launching effective campaigns to attract new recruits.
Governor Josh Stein emphasized the importance of having enough well-trained officers. “If we are serious about keeping people safe, we have to be serious about having enough well-trained cops on the beat,” said Stein. “The ‘What It Takes’ toolkit will provide law enforcement agencies from small towns to big cities the critical resources to recruit and then keep talent to protect the people of North Carolina.”
The initiative follows a 2024 survey conducted by the Governor’s Crime Commission, which gathered input from law enforcement leadership, current officers, recruits, former officers and job seekers. The research highlighted opportunities for agencies to better communicate the benefits of a career in law enforcement.
To develop the campaign, the commission collaborated with a communications firm and an advisory group composed of law enforcement professionals representing various types of agencies—both those with established recruitment models and those facing ongoing challenges.
Public Safety Secretary Jeffrey Smythe commented on the significance of these efforts: “Recruitment and retention challenges are real, and this toolkit gives agencies a practical way to compete for talent,” he said. “It reflects our commitment to supporting law enforcement and strengthening public safety across North Carolina.”
The toolkit offers messaging frameworks and communication materials intended to support statewide recruitment initiatives, encourage unified messaging among agencies, and address misconceptions about policing by highlighting its core principles.
Michelle Beck, acting deputy director of the Governor’s Crime Commission, explained: “This toolkit is about empowering agencies to tell their story. By providing ready-to-use resources, we’re helping departments, especially those without dedicated recruitment teams, reach potential recruits and inspire them to serve.”
Law enforcement agencies can access videos, images, graphics and copy for use in multichannel communications—including email outreach, web pages, radio advertisements and social media—through resources available on the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s website.
