Enhancing Recruitment, Retention, and Promotion Outcomes: Lessons Learned from High-Success Agencies and Executives

Dr. Julie Hibdon is an Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, School of Justice and Public Safety, at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Her primary research interests include crime and place, crime prevention, victimization and policing. Dr. Hibdon has over ten years of experience in applied research and program evaluation. Her current research largely focuses on community crime prevention initiatives, data to understand crime and disorder issues, and hiring, retention and promotion practices of police organizations.

John Letteney is the Assistant Manager for the Town of Morrisville, North Carolina, where he has responsibility for several municipal operations, including the Morrisville Police Department. He retired as Chief of Police for the Thomasville (GA) Police Department in January 2024, and previously retired from service as Chief of Police for two North Carolina agencies. He has over 43 years of service in law enforcement.

Chief (ret.) Letteney has been a member of the IACP Board of Directors since 2014, is a Past General Chair for the Division of State Associations of Chiefs of Police (SACOP), and served as the IACP President in 2022-2023. He currently serves as the Parliamentarian for the IACP Board of Directors.

He was appointed as a Commissioner for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in January, 2025. He is certified by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP) as a Chief Executive, holds an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate in North Carolina, has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Marist University in New York, and is a graduate of the FBI Command College and the 248th Session of the FBI National Academy.

As Director of Client Services & Relations for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®), Mr. Parrish’s primary responsibility is to ensure positive client engagement and Accreditation success. Working with eight Regional Program managers (RPMs), Mr. Parrish and the RPM team educate agencies on the value of CALEA Accreditation, while also working with CALEA client agencies to achieve and maintain their CALEA Accredited status. With nearly 25 years of experience providing strategic communications and public relations services to the public safety and defense industries, Mr. Parrish is also responsible for developing and executing comprehensive marketing and communications plans.

Travis is a long-standing member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), where he serves as Chairperson of the Education and Training Community. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and supports several special charities, including the National MS Society Chapter of Central and Eastern Virginia.

Joseph A. Schafer is a Professor in the School of Criminology & Criminal Justice at Arizona State University.  His research focuses on policing, organizational change, leadership, police officer perceptions and behavior, and future issues in crime and justice.