An Epic Solution
Your agency just hired a recruiter, launched social media accounts, and posted job openings everywhere. But applications are still down, and the candidates you do get aren’t quite the right fit. Sound familiar?
The solution isn’t just better job postings or higher salaries. It’s about fundamentally changing how your community sees you, not just as an employer, but as a trusted partner. At Epic Recruiting, we help agencies attract qualified candidates, humanize their presence, tell their story authentically, streamline hiring processes, and optimize police recruitment branding.
The key isn’t just employer branding. It’s community branding.
Employer Branding vs. Community Branding
Employer branding highlights competitive salaries, benefits, and career advancement. It’s the “Join our team” message on every recruitment flyer.
Community branding is how you’re perceived as a community partner. It’s the “We’re your neighbors” message. It’s showing up at community events and building relationships that have nothing to do with enforcement.
Community branding builds trust before candidates even apply. While Gen Z’s trust in police has improved, rising from 27% to 43% among 18-34 year-olds between 2023 and 2024, most still don’t fully trust law enforcement. Community branding addresses these concerns in ways employer branding can’t.
Three Ways to Build Community Branding
Humanize Your Agency
Today's candidates want to see real officers and real stories before they apply. Feature actual officers on your recruitment materials. Share why they chose this career and what a typical day looks like. Don't just show heroic moments; show honest, vulnerable ones too.
Where to showcase this:
Website: ‘About’ or ’Story Type’ pages
Videos: Real conversations and community interactions paired with cinematic action shots
Social Media: Candid moments and behind-the-scenes glimpses
Build Visibility in the Community
Community presence creates relationships that lead to recruitment
Examples that work:
Youth Programs: Police explorer programs, career day presentations, mentorship initiatives
Community Events: Coffee with a Cop, National Night Out, local festivals, ride-along programs
Partnerships: Local businesses, non-profits, community advisory boards
Research shows that community-oriented policing programs were effective almost 80% of the time, and citizens were almost 40% more likely to be satisfied with police work. This satisfaction translates directly into recruitment potential.
Tell Your Story Online
Meet your community where they are: online. A strong social media and advertising presence turns your community branding efforts into daily touchpoints with potential candidates.
The Virginia State Police Department partnered with Epic Recruiting and emphasized outreach through advertisements and social media. After struggling with 350 vacancies from January 2020 to September 2024, their new recruitment approach led to the largest graduating class since 2018, with almost 100 new troopers joining the ranks. This combination of organic engagement and targeted paid campaigns demonstrates how strategic digital outreach can connect you with qualified candidates in your region and beyond.
How Epic supports your community branding:
Video Production and Professional Photography:
Our team captures stories from your officers and community interactions that humanize your agency.
Design, Development, and Hosting:
We build recruitment websites that reflect your department’s culture and guide candidates through your hiring process.
Design, Development, and Hosting:
We build recruitment websites that reflect your department’s culture and guide candidates through your hiring process.
Online Recruiting and Social Media Management:
We manage your social media presence, create content calendars, and write powerful copy that speaks to your audience.
Paid Ad Campaigns:
We run targeted digital advertising campaigns that reach diverse talent pools, maximizing your recruitment budget with data-driven results
Ready to take the first step?
Epic provides a complete solution that brings your community branding strategy to life. We utilize an in-house team for every stage of the recruiting process, ensuring seamless execution and quality control. Let’s talk about your recruitment goals
