How Police Departments CAN
Recruit Officers With Video in 2025
Staffing challenges are real. Video helps your department stand out and connect with recruits where they are.
The Recruitment Challenge in 2025
Police departments across the United States are facing a challenge that isn’t going away anytime soon: staffing shortages. The competition for qualified candidates is steep, and traditional recruiting methods — job fairs, billboard ads, or even static social media posts — often aren’t enough.
That’s where video comes in. Recruitment videos give potential applicants a chance to see the people behind the badge, feel the culture of your department, and imagine themselves stepping into the role.
Why Video Works for Recruitment
Humanizes the badge
Applicants want to know who they’d be working with and why the department exists beyond enforcement. A well-crafted video shows the camaraderie, community, and purpose that can’t be captured in text.
Reaches people where they are
Today’s recruits spend hours on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Video puts your message in the spaces your audience already lives.
Builds trust with the community
Recruiting content doubles as community engagement. It demonstrates values and approachability while also serving as a hiring tool.
Examples of Recruiting Video Impact:
BRIGHTON POLICE DEPARTMENT (CO)
Brighton, a rural Colorado town - with close proximity to larger Denver area departments - used varying videos to position the department as modern, well-equipped, and community-driven.
FLOWER MOUND POLICE DEPARTMENT (TX)
Flower Mound PD highlighted specialized units and advancement opportunities, standing out against larger agencies in a highly competitive DFW landscape.
THE COLONY POLICE DEPARTMENT (TX)
The Colony PD turned to us for its first professional recruitment film, premiering in local theaters to showcase a bold, polished, and forward-looking department.
HOW TEN41 HELPS
Ten41 Media is a Texas-based video production company focused exclusively on law enforcement recruitment campaigns. Founded by a former patrol officer, we understand both the tactical side of the job and the communication challenges that come with it.
Every strong recruiting campaign starts with understanding the department itself. We take time to learn about your staffing challenges, what makes your culture unique, and the goals you’re working toward.
This discovery process shapes the creative direction so the video isn’t just visually impressive, but also speaks directly to the officers you want to attract. By aligning on strategy from the start, we ensure the finished piece resonates with the right audience and reflects your department’s values.
DISCOVERY & STRATEGY
On production days, we use professional cinema cameras, drones, and equipment often reserved for Hollywood sets, to capture visuals that match the caliber of your department. Our goal is to create cinematic yet approachable shots that highlight both professionalism and authenticity.
From aerial views of your city to action-packed shots of officers in the field, every scene captured is designed to show your agency in the best light possible while maintaining its core DNA.
PRODUCTION
Messaging
The heart of any recruiting video is its message. We combine authentic officer interviews with on-duty action and community interaction to show both the career and the calling behind the badge.
This mix of voices and visuals builds trust with potential recruits by giving them a real sense of what it means to serve in your department. The end result is a message that is both inspiring a realistic.
DELIVERY
Every campaign is built around the department’s objectives, so the final deliverables are tailored to fit those needs. That might mean a flagship recruiting video, a series of short-form social clips, officer profile features, or even internal pieces for orientation and training. Whatever the mix, our focus is on making sure the content is ready for real-world use — easy to share on social, polished for presentations, and versatile enough to support ongoing recruiting and community engagement efforts.
Common Questions From Departments:
Q: How can a small department afford a professional recruiting video?
Many agencies use grants, city budgets, criminal forfeiture funds, or regional initiatives. We scale productions based on need and project scope, making it possible for departments of all sizes to access high-quality content.
Q: How fast can we get a finished video?
Typical turnaround is 8–10 weeks from kickoff to delivery, depending on scope and scheduling. A big part of that time is our pre-production process, which ensures filming runs smoothly without disrupting daily operations.
Q: Do these videos really increase applications?
Departments that use recruiting videos consistently report more inquiries and stronger applicant pools — especially from younger candidates who connect with authentic, modern visuals.
Q: What if our department already has a media team?
We don’t replace your media team. Instead, we step in as a specialized partner, handling high-level productions that may fall outside the scope of day-to-day internal resources.
Q: We’ve never done something like this before — how do we know it will work for us?
That’s exactly why we exist. We’ve built our process around making it simple for departments, no matter their size or experience with video. From day one, we walk alongside your team: planning every detail in pre-production, scheduling around your operations, and bringing in a professional crew that understands law enforcement culture. You won’t be left guessing — we guide you through each step so the end result is a polished recruiting campaign that reflects your agency accurately, builds pride internally, and attracts the right applicants.
Recruiting in 2025? Don’t Fall Behind
Ready to See What a Recruitment Video Could Do for Your Department?
Submit an inquiry below with some basic information about your agency and project. We’ll be in touch shortly!