Police Officer Hiring Process Cover Letter And Resume
One of the keys to getting a great job in law enforcement is having a great cover letter and resume, why? Because the selection process is very competitive and being able to write well is a key element.
The selection committee needs to start narrowing down the pool of applicants as soon as possible and the cover letter and resume are one of the first things the selection committee sees about you.
Being able to communicate well in writing is a key element for the law enforcement job selection process, so the committee wants to know DO YOU WRITE WELL?
How to they determine this? Your cover letter and resume!
If your cover letter and resume are not up to par, end of story!
You could be the greatest applicant ever to apply. However, without a great cover letter and resume it doesnt matter because you will not have a chance to prove yourself.
Law Enforcement jobs require good writing skills. With any law enforcement job you will be writing reports, interviews, notes. Some of what you write will be used in court.
The police academy will teach you what you need to learn about being a law enforcement officer. However, there isnt time to teach you how to write. That is why one of the key elements in the selection process is that someone can write well. Just like having good math skills and being able to speak well.
So, someone who cannot write a good cover letter and resume is probably not right for the job.
How To Send An Email Application Letter
If sending your cover letter via email, list your name and the job title you are applying for in the subject line of the email. Include your contact information in your email signature but don’t list the employer’s contact information.
Skip the date and start your email message with the salutation. Here’s an example of a formatted email cover letter.
Finish With A Concise Direct Closing Paragraph
When writing your cover letter closing, be polite, confident, and continue to sell yourself as the best candidate for the job. Its important to write your final paragraph thoughtfully and strategically, so be sure to:
- Thank the hiring manager for reviewing your application
- Summarize why youd be a good hire
- Restate your excitement about the job opportunity
- Politely ask the reader to send you an invitation to interview
Heres an excellent cover letter closing example:
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Cover Letter Example For A Police Officer Position
Do you need to write a cover letter for a police officer position? Check out our example for a police officer job application!
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Here Is The Police Chief Cover Letter Example:
Dear Mr. Corona,
I write with the extreme interest in filling your Police Chief position at Tucson, AZ Police Department. I am highly qualified, and have included my qualifications as well.
For the past 11 years, I have served the city of Brentwood, NY as Police Chief, and in this role, have been awarded many successes in fighting crime and keeping incident low. I have a department of over 35 police officers and trainees to supervise and ensure they are working the best areas, with the best partners, and the best supplies needed to carry out the mission of protecting and serving the community of Tucson, AZ. I have a clean record, and nothing but experience and ability to meet the challenges of your fair city.
Please consider my resume today, and call me at -555-5555 to discuss my track record further. I look forward to your response and thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely,
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Tips For Writing A Cover Letter
A cover letter can either help or harm you. To ensure that your application supports rather than detracts from your resume, follow these tips:
Get off to a direct start: In your first paragraph, explain why you are writing. Mention the job title and company name, and also where you came across the job listing. While you can also briefly mention why you are a strong candidate, this section should be short and to-the-point.
Offer something different than what’s in your resume: You can make your language a bit more personal than in your resume bullet points, and you can tell a narrative about your work experience and career.
It’s rare to send an application letter without also sending a resume. Your application letter, therefore, should highlight information that your resume doesn’t.
Make a good case. Your first goal with this letter is to progress to the next step: an interview. Your overarching goal, of course, is to get a job offer. Use your application letter to further both of these causes. Offer details about your experience and background that show why you are a good candidate. How have other jobs prepared you for the position? What would you bring to the position, and to the company? Use this space to emphasize your strengths.
Close with all the important details. Include a thank you at the end of your letter. You can also share your contact information. If you’d like, mention how you will follow up.
Show Your Passion For Police Work
Police work isnt a casual day job. Officers are responsible for a communitys well-being, and are regularly put in potentially dangerous situations. So police departments need to know theyre hiring someone whos seriously passionate about the work they do.
Use your cover letter to show employers that youre personally invested in providing excellent police work, and that they can rely on you to exceed the minimum of whats expected of you.
If you have life experiences that made you want to become a police officer, highlight those experiences in your cover letter to show that youre dedicated to doing excellent work. Let departments know your personal values inspire your dedication to law enforcement.
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Structure Of The Police Officer Cover Letter
The most effective and impact making cover letters consists of three core parts.
The first part is the introduction. The first paragraph should include the following key details: which company youre applying to, what role youre applying to, and a summary of how you will add value to the company.
Many cover letters fail to mention either the job title or the name of the company. This provides a clear indication to the employer that youre using the same cover letter for many companies, which further indicates that you arent serious enough or you dont care enough about making a good impression. If this is the case, its better to not write a cover letter at all! And, always make sure youre sending the right cover letter to the right company.
Most of the time, applicants take advantage of cover letter examples or cover letter samples, and forget to clean it up. You need to ensure that you’ve put in all the hard work in personalization of your cover letter – be professional!
It shouldnt really be about you – rather, it should be about how youre excited about what the company is doing, and about how youre the perfect fit to solve their needs. And if you feel that you can’t directly address the job requirements on the company website, you may need to consider applying for a different role instead.
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View This Sample Cover Letter For A Police Officer Or Download The Police Officer Cover Letter Template In Word
It takes a winning combination of talent and valor to serve the public as a police officer, and you want to make sure you stand out in your field. To be considered for top police officer jobs, your cover letter must demonstrate your skills and experience, as well as your passion for working with people. For writing tips, view this sample cover letter for a police officer, or download the police officer cover letter template in Word.
Jobs for police officers are projected to grow by 7% from 2016 through 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . You’ll find the highest level of employment for this job in the following states: California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois and in the following metropolitan areas: New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Washington D.C.
As a police officer, you can expect to earn a median wage of $61,050 per year, or $29.35 per hour, according to the BLS.
Additionally, you can look for police officer jobs on Monster.
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Best Format For A Police Officer Cover Letter Example
One of the most important questions when writing a cover letter is figuring out the best cover letter format to convey your strengths. In this section well look at the right way to format a police officer cover letter example and give you concrete tips to help you create a great written and visual impression.
First, lets go over the basics: A cover letter is a 200-400 word document that expresses your motivations, key skills and relevant experience for the police officer position. A cover letter shouldnt just rehash whats on your resume, but compliment it by expanding on important points and offering details you might not have had the space to mention in your resume.
The best format for a police officer cover letter is one that clearly lays out your motivations for applying to the specific position and the reasons you believe youd make a great fit. Your goal should be to show the police commissioner that youve done your research about their community and gained relevant experience from past situations.
What if the police officer job application DOESNT require a cover letter?
When compared with other types of positions, police officers go through multi-step hiring processes involving background checks, physical fitness tests and mental exams. With all these extra checks, you may be wondering if a police commissioner really needs the extra information in your cover letter.
Now lets take a look at an adaptable police officer cover letter sample.
Dear Mr. Blankwith,
What Is A Cover Letter
A cover letter is a one-page document that introduces a job seekers work history, professional skills, and personal interest in applying for a job.
The main purpose of a cover letter is to support the content of your resume. Your resume focuses on your qualifications and achievements, and your cover letter expands on those achievements, showcases your personality, and explains why youd be a good fit for the company.
Although they might seem old-fashioned today, cover letters are still necessary. High unemployment rates in 2020 created a bigger pool of job seekers in 2021, and writing a cover letter helps your application stand out when applying for competitive positions.
Attach an effective cover letter to your well-written resume, and your job application will quickly show managers and recruiters youre both qualified and a great fit for the role.
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Make Sure Your Cover Letter Isnt Too Long
Police departments in bigger cities have to sort through stacks of cover letters whenever they hire new officers.
To make sure that your application doesnt go overlooked, your cover letter needs to communicate all your strengths while being short enough to keep the hiring managers attention.
The most effective cover letter length for police officers is between 200 and 400 words, which should all fit on one page with standard size text.
Writing A Perfect Cover Letter
Your potential employers will take around six seconds to look at your CV or resume. That means in order to attract them, you need something extra to serve as the opening act.
This is where a cover letter comes in. A cover letter is an introductory letter that should be to the point and precise about what exactly you are looking for in your job. A good cover letter can help the employers pick out the most suitable candidate for the job.
These cover letters samples can help you write that perfect cover letter and get the employer’s attention.
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How Do You Write A Cover Letter For A Police Officer Position
A police officer cover letter has to be around one page long and features three standard sections introduction, main body, and conclusion. To write an effective cover letter, think of the employers perspective: what qualities and personal characteristics are they looking for? For starters, select 2-3 main talking points and address them in your letter. Next, talk about your professional background, education, community service, and motivation for entering the police workforce.
Use your cover letter to make it clear that you meet the stated requirements. To do that focus on these four areas:
ADVICE FROM OUR EXPERTExecutive Career Coach
Police Cover Letter Writing
People in police work, investigations or any criminal justice jobs have similar concerns as attorneys. These professionals have career documents that focus on mastering multiple tasks and highlighting prominent cases .
The first paragraph below the introduction needs to outline experience with specific duties such as investigation, pursuit, arrests and incident report. Handling a lot of responsibility and juggling duties is critical.
For a police officer job position, you need the training, certifications, psychology exams and other tests completed. But in the cover letter, you can set yourself apart by emphasizing high profile cases such as homicides or even large drug busts. It may also be helpful if you have been productive. For example, maybe you average 100 DUI arrests per year with a 99% conviction rate. This type of quantified achievement lets the employer know you are dedicated to getting DUI convictions and that you know how to make the arrests properly.
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How To Write A Letter Of Intent For A Law Enforcement Job
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Conduct some detective work on the organization to learn what you can about its culture, dynamics and working conditions. Your ability to tailor your letter of intent to an organization will convey the idea that you are limiting your job search, rather than blanketing hiring agencies with inquiries.
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Center your name at the top of the page. Place your contact information, including your cell phone number and email address, underneath in smaller type. Space four times and then write the date. Space twice and then write the inside address, being sure to include the recipient’s full name and job title. Space twice and write a formal salutation, such as “Dear Ms. Jones.”
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Open your letter by expressing interest in an advertised position or your desire to join the organization. Refer to your current position and the number of years of experience you have in the field of law enforcement. For example, you might say, As a 12-year police officer, I believe I could make valuable contributions to the Anaheim Police Department and especially its new community policing project. Right from the start, youve conveyed interest, knowledge and seriousness of purpose.
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Summarize your professional experience, stating your positions and the names of the law enforcement agencies for whom you have worked. Refer only to the highlights your resume will provide a detailed summary of your background.
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Writer Bio
Best Skills To Include
Other public relations skills and keywords you may want to emphasize include: media content creation, web analytics, SEO, content curation, blogging, social media management, social media releases, social channel development, digital marketing, marketing communications, brand communications, brand management, account management, business storytelling, event planning, client relations, relationship building, project management, networking, strategy development, strategic planning, copywriting, copy editing, press releases, and speech writing.
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Writing Psychology And Mistakes To Avoid
While your resume is a great place to highlight hard skills from previous police experience and other jobs, your cover letter is the perfect place to showcase the innate qualities that make you a great officer. Here are some examples:
- Integrity: Honesty, character and respectability are more important now than ever considering the additional scrutiny police officers are facing around the world. Use your cover letter to highlight moments when you did the right thing and achieved positive results.
- Willingness to serve: Community policing may sound like a buzzword, but its shaping the hiring decisions of more and more agencies. Make sure your love for the community and desire to see it thrive are at the forefront of your motivations on a police officer cover letter.
- The right temperament: The tone of your cover letter can say just as much about you as what you write. A positive attitude, calm demeanor and ability to work in a team are key qualities that will make you a welcome asset to any police force.
- Tenacity: Policing is a tough job. The hours are long and the days can be unpredictable. At the worst times, the job can be downright dangerous. Your cover letter is the right place to convey your understanding of the sacrifices police officers make to do their jobs effectively.
Now that weve discussed qualities to include on a great police officer cover letter sample, lets explore the biggest pitfalls that trip up many candidates for this position.
How To Write Apolice Officer Cover Letter
- Include your full name and contact information at the top of your cover letter
- Start the cover letter by respectfully addressing the recipient by name
- Mention where you found the job posting and your interest in the opportunity
- Use the first paragraph to explain why you would be a great hire as the police officer
- Briefly discuss your experiences, qualifications and accomplishments related to this opportunity
- Thank the reader and express interest in discussing the role in more detail
- End the cover letter with a professional sign-off and your full name
- Your cover letter should be one-page or or less in length
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