Many police offices maintain their own personnel service, while larger departments often contain an internal affairs branch, which is in charge of policing the police. Training has become a continuous process in many departments. It usually begins at the police academy and involves extensive preservice training in firearms handling, law and civil rights, emergency medical care, and restraint techniques. In an effort to professionalize police forces, the growth of administrative and management skills has improved the quality of policing and paved the way for reform. Civil service rules govern criteria for hiring, promotion, discipline, and appeals.
Civil service has further helped remove much of the politics from policing.
Police departments have further been concerned with developing proper techniques for training their leaders, recruiting new officers, and developing technical expertise. They have attempted to increase productivity by sharing and pooling resources, consolidating programs, and multitasking. Recruitment and Selection Over the years, a number of political and social factors have resulted in better and more efficient police recruitment. The growing numbers of criminal justice programs in colleges have attracted a pool of educated young people seeking law enforcement careers. The development of competitive salaries and educational pay incentives has influenced many individuals to pursue law enforcement employment.