In an effort to increase the proportion of minority group members on the New York City police force, this study was commissioned: (1) to learn the reasons for present difficulties in minority recruitment, (2) to analyze the effectiveness of current recruiting strategies and programs, and (3) to develop new approaches aimed at improving minority representation in the police department. Street interviews conducted throughout the city showed that radio and newspaper advertisements were much more successful than the expensive mobile recruiting teams in informing minorities about career opportunities. Despite the comparatively high pay scale of the police department, the minority youth indicated that service aspects of police work were more important than economic returns. Retention of applicants is a serious problem, with less than a third of all candidates who passed the competitive exam finally appointed as probationary patrolmen. The retention rate could be greatly improved by more personal encouragement of candidates and a reduction in the 17-month delay between exam and appointment. (BH)