WHEREAS, trust and confidence in law enforcement can only be achieved when law enforcement agencies employ the highest caliber personnel who represent a diverse cross section of the communities which they serve; and

WHEREAS, the recruitment of the best possible candidates for employment in law enforcement agencies requires a comprehensive campaign which educates minorities and women on the importance of diversity in law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, the aging of the current law enforcement work force will greatly increase the need for additional law enforcement personnel in the near future; and

WHEREAS, law enforcement agencies must compete with private and other public sector employers for a shrinking pool of qualified people; and

WHEREAS, it has become increasingly difficult to attract qualified people to law enforcement careers due to the higher compensation, more traditional work schedules, and less stressful working conditions available in other careers; and

WHEREAS, successful recruitment requires full time dedicated personnel and financial resources to develop and administer job-related examinations that do not result in disparate impact; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that it is the position of the International Association of Chiefs of Police that the United States Department of Justice should make COPS or other discretionary funds available to offset the expense of recruiters, test development and administration, consulting fees, advertising expenses and literature; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that this funding should be a priority program for the Department of Justice.