Leaving so soon? An analysis of withdrawal patterns from academy training

Abstract

Retention in policing may be currently viewed as more challenging than ever. One focal point of concern is turnover early in occupational socialization, such as while still in academy training. In this paper, we examine data on withdrawal from Academy training for one state police agency from 1934 to 2022. We address whether there are trends in Academy turnover over time and examine how/if retention is impacted by external factors such as the economic and historical/societal context. We conclude our work with a set of practical implications for considering how external events influence retention during training.