The Great Police Exodus and Why Smart Companies Are Recruiting Former Officers
- Brainz Magazine
- Jun 21
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 23
Written by Adam Conn, Sirens to Strategy
Adam Conn is well-known for his work in frontline innovation and wellbeing support for emergency services. He is the founder of The Squad Group, creator of the Coffee for Coppers initiative, and a former Metropolitan Police Officer turned strategic advisor and entrepreneur.
When crisis becomes opportunity: How the exodus from policing is creating an unprecedented talent pool for private enterprise. The statistics are sobering. Police officer departures have reached record levels across the UK and internationally, with forces struggling to retain experienced personnel at an alarming rate. While this presents a crisis for law enforcement, it's creating an unprecedented opportunity for forward-thinking private companies to access some of the most highly trained, resilient, and capable professionals in the workforce.
The uncomfortable truth behind the exodus
Officers aren't leaving because they've lost their passion for service—they're leaving because the system has failed them. The harsh reality includes:
Lack of support
Officers feel abandoned by leadership when they need backing most, facing criticism without context and policies that prioritize optics over officer welfare.
Poor treatment
Veteran officers with decades of experience are being treated as liabilities rather than assets, their expertise dismissed in favour of box-ticking exercises.
Inadequate mental health support
Despite facing traumatic situations regularly, officers often lack access to proper psychological support, creating a mental health crisis within the ranks.
Outdated protection
Perhaps most critically, officers are being sent into increasingly dangerous situations with equipment that hasn't fundamentally changed in over 15 years. With assault rates against officers rising daily—we're now seeing an officer assaulted every 10 minutes in the UK—forces continue to resist implementing proven safety technologies.
The irony is stark: while private sector companies invest heavily in employee safety and wellbeing, our public safety organisations lag decades behind in protecting their own people.
The corporate goldmine: What former officers bring
Smart companies are recognising that former police officers represent an untapped goldmine of transferable skills that are increasingly valuable in today's business environment:
Crisis management excellence
Officers make split-second decisions under extreme pressure daily. This translates directly to crisis management, emergency planning, and high-stakes business decision-making. While business executives practice crisis scenarios in boardrooms, officers have lived them on the streets.
Investigative and analytical skills
Every case an officer handles requires evidence gathering, pattern recognition, and logical analysis. These skills are directly applicable to market research, fraud prevention, compliance, and strategic planning. Former officers bring a methodical approach to problem-solving that's been battle-tested in real-world scenarios.
Communication under pressure
De-escalation, negotiation, and clear communication during high-stress situations are daily requirements for officers. These skills translate seamlessly to customer service, conflict resolution, stakeholder management, and leadership roles where composure under pressure is essential.
Integrity and ethical standards
Officers are held to the highest ethical standards throughout their careers. This creates professionals with an ingrained sense of integrity, accountability, and ethical decision-making—qualities that are increasingly valuable as companies face greater scrutiny over corporate responsibility.
Adaptability and resourcefulness
No two days are the same in policing. Officers learn to adapt quickly to changing situations, work with limited resources, and find creative solutions to complex problems. This adaptability is crucial in today's rapidly changing business environment.
Team leadership and management
From managing crime scenes to leading community initiatives, officers develop natural leadership skills and understand how to work effectively within hierarchical structures while maintaining team cohesion under stress.
The technology gap: A lesson for corporate leaders
The resistance to implementing life-saving technologies in policing offers a crucial lesson for business leaders. While proven solutions like The G.L.O.V.E.—which has demonstrated 76-90% reductions in officer injuries and hospitalisations across 600+ agencies internationally—remain underutilised in many forces, smart companies can learn from this failure.
Companies that prioritise employee safety and embrace innovation to protect their workforce will not only attract top talent but also benefit from reduced injuries, lower insurance costs, and improved productivity. The G.L.O.V.E.'s track record of over 60,000 uses with zero injuries proves that when organisations commit to employee protection, everyone benefits.
Strategic recruitment: How to attract former officers
Emphasize employee wellbeing
Former officers have experienced what it's like to work without adequate support. Companies that genuinely prioritize employee mental health, provide comprehensive benefits, and create supportive work environments will stand out.
Invest in safety technology
Show that your company embraces innovation to protect employees. Former officers understand the value of proper equipment and will be drawn to organisations that invest in employee safety rather than cutting corners.
Recognise experience
Value the unique perspective and skills former officers bring. Create pathways that allow them to leverage their law enforcement experience rather than starting from scratch.
Provide clear career progression
Officers are used to structured advancement opportunities. Companies that offer clear career paths and professional development will attract ambitious former officers looking for new challenges.
The competitive advantage
Companies that successfully recruit former police officers gain access to professionals who:
Have been vetted through rigorous background checks
Understand accountability and responsibility
Can handle high-pressure situations calmly
Bring unique perspectives on risk management
Have experience working with diverse communities
Understand the importance of protocols and procedures
Are natural problem-solvers and critical thinkers
The future landscape
As the exodus from policing continues, companies that recognise this opportunity early will build significant competitive advantages. Former officers bring a unique combination of skills that can't be taught in business school—real-world experience in crisis management, ethical decision-making under pressure, and an understanding of human nature that comes from years of public service.
The tragedy is that these exceptional professionals are leaving a career they once loved due to systemic failures in support, equipment, and leadership. The opportunity is that private enterprise can offer them the respect, resources, and recognition they deserve.
A call to action
For business leaders, the message is clear: while law enforcement struggles with retention due to poor support and outdated approaches to officer safety, private companies have an unprecedented opportunity to recruit some of the most capable professionals available.
For police leadership, the exodus should serve as a wake-up call. When proven technologies exist to reduce officer injuries by up to 90%, yet resistance to change persists, you're not just losing good people—you're actively driving them away.
The corporate world is watching, learning, and benefiting from law enforcement's failure to adapt. Smart companies are already recruiting these talented professionals and providing them with the support, technology, and respect they deserve.
The question for both sectors is simple: Will you adapt and thrive, or continue with outdated approaches and watch your best talent walk away?
Read more from Adam Conn
Adam Conn, Sirens to Strategy
Adam Conn is a leader in frontline innovation, wellbeing, and purpose-driven enterprise for the emergency services community. A former Metropolitan Police Officer, Conn has dedicated his post-service career to supporting those on the front lines. Through his company, The Squad Group, he is working to equip Police and Prison Officers with The Glove—a groundbreaking Conductive Distraction and De-escalation Device (CD3) that offers safer intervention options. Alongside initiatives like Coffee for Coppers and Coffee for Heroes, his mission is clear: to protect those who protect us.
