Is online/hybrid learning for police recruits effective and accessible and impacting attrition rates of police recruits? Insights from an Australian police academy experience

Abstract

Post-COVID-19, there is an increase in e-learning, synchronous, and hybrid approaches to police recruit education. In parallel, police organisations are experiencing challenges with recruiting and retaining the required workforce levels. This study examines the relationship between the experience of learning to be a police officer through e-learning and/or hybrid education delivery and decisions to disengage from a future police career. The findings suggest the e-learning and/or hybrid approach is well supported by police recruits and is not the single or major determining factor in decisions to discontinue their police studies and aspirations to join the police profession.