Wednesday, April 24, 2024

How To Write A Resume For Police Officer

Don't Miss

Police Officer Employment History Cv Sample

Police Application and Resume

In the employment history section of your CV, which most likely will be organized in reverse chronological order, stick to the facts without flourishes such as adjectives. Here you detail your job responsibilities and achievements in direct, simple language.

First, compile a list of all the jobs you have had that relate to public safety, as a security guard, for example. Consider your responsibilities and achievements in each position. Then, as you begin to write, focus on the outcomes of your actions and the problems you solved. Consider the skills you learned on the job and try to show increasing knowledge and ability to resolve more difficult situations. No need to use “I”, simply begin with a strong verb that describes your actions on the job. Use each bullet point to list a new, distinct skill or achievement.

Get strong with your words

Here are some choice verbs to use when compiling your work experience section:

  • Assess

You can find resume example text for a police officer employment history section below.

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.

Police Officer Resume: Professional Experience

Now that you know which sections to put in your resume and how to approach resume-writing, we will now discuss the most important sections of your resume i.e. the professional experience section.

This section is the most relevant section of your resume because it carries your work-centric information such as the places you worked, the duration of your work experience, and your seniority level.

As such, the need is to write an impeccable resume, one that is ATS-compliant.

Here’s what you should do to accomplish this:

  • Frame Points

When it comes to writing resumes, there are two types of people:

Type 1: Uses paragraphs.Type 2: Uses points.

If you fall into category #1, it’s high time to switch to using one-liner points instead.

We’ll explain why using points is a better alternative, but before we do, take a look at the police officer resume examples that we have mentioned below:

Police Officer Resume Example 1

“As part of my professional stint at New York Central Police Station, I was responsible for solving crimes for approximately 50 cases with a success rate of 96%. My day-to-day activities include an investigation of over 20 incidents – something I did with 100% efficiency. I also recruited, trained, and personally supervised over 15 patrol officers who worked directly under me. This led to an overall improvement in departmental performance. Additionally, I observed and studies criminal behavior to get to the roots of a crime and to understand why it is committed”.

Also Check: Does Ring Security System Call Police

Listing Your Education Certifications And Courses

Checklist for your resume education

  • Include your highest education degree
  • List the duration you spent there, as well as the institution
  • If youâre applying for an entry-level position, include additional details like relevant courses and projects
  • Feature your certifications if they are necessary for the position – either as a separate section, or, in your resume headline.
  • Add the year your certificate was issued or renewed, if itâs in a subject area that requires regular updates.

Recommended reads:

PRO TIP

Final Key Hints And Tips For How To Write A Cv When Leaving The Police

Police Officer Resume Sample
  • You can only have a stand out CV if you have good material. Give yourself time to think about things you’re proud of. Youll need it for the CV and the interview too. Invest time in thinking about key information and put the effort in.
  • Make sure your CV is targeted to the key words.
  • Think about jobs you’re interested in. Think about the types of roles you might enjoy. Do you see yourself in an office setting or out and about? Do you prefer working alone or with a team?
  • Write in a clear and easy to understand language. Avoid cliche soft skill descriptions.
  • Be sure to review your CV and ask someone else to read it. Its easier for someone else to spot mistakes and add things you didn’t think about. Avoid having a friend or family member review your CV but maybe ask a colleague. A colleague knows you from a work perspective and will be much more honest.

    If you’re considering leaving the Police, or retired or close to and you’re struggling to put your CV together, whats the best way to get in touch with Charlotte?

    Charlotte has kindly offered her advice and support if you have any queries or questions. She can be contacted via and please put Blue Light Leavers in the subject line of your email. Charlottes website is www.ckfutures.co.uk and she has loads of advice and free resources available.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe here and leave a review. In addition, and visit the website www.bluelightleavers.com

    About the Author

    You May Like: How To Become A Police Officer In Dallas

    Experienced Police Officer Resume

    Why this resume works

    • When you are an experienced police officer, you need to ensure your resume demonstrates your experience and thats what this specific resume does.
    • The applicant demonstrates experience in this field by using numbers to quantify achievements, and explains his impact at various levels in his career.
    • Supervised and coordinated a team of 12 patrol officers and reducing road accidents in school zones by 50% show tangible, specific outcomes youve contributed to.
  • This police officer also lists down specific education and certificates that could boost his chances of being hired, which is something you need to do.
  • Be specific about your state level certifications, thats why this resume specifically shows Peace Officer Standards and Training – Colorado”.
  • Wondering what skills to include in your police officer resume? This skills guide should help you out!
  • Pro Tips For Writing The Skills Section

    Your skills section should have skills that directly impact your competence for the job.

    Other than that, you might want to mention other skills as well. But not those that are irrelevant. You should definitely cover several sections:

    • Police Officer skills
    • Other skills
    • Languages

    Keep in mind that some people have programs which go through your resume looking for skills as keywords, so really do put effort into mentioning each and everyone you have.

    But be vary, writing down skills you dont have just to hedge your bets is always risky and we dont condone it.

    As you can see, when we compare the right and wrong example, it looks more professional if your skills section is organized.

    Believe us, your potential employer will thank you for making your resume easy to read.

    You May Like: Is National Coalition For Police And Troopers Legitimate

    Entry Level Police Officer Resume

    Use this template

    Why this resume works

    • When applying for an entry-level job position, you probably dont have a lot of experience to include in your resume. Rather than fluffing in your resume, get creative by adding a resume objective.
    • But heres the main thing about a resume objective it should stand out and provide as much information about yourself as it can without seeming too long and boring. You need to customize this for each job you apply to.
    • If a job opening specifically says knowledge of law, public safety, etc., then by including that in your resume objective you demonstrate youre qualified for the role.
  • The applicant also demonstrates his impact at his previous job in a way that relates to the current position he is applying for.
  • For example, mentioning words like patrolling, coordinating, recovering stolen merchandise, and working closely with the local police department is a sure way of booking your spot in the interview room!
  • When listing down your achievements, go for those that are relevant to the specific job you are applying for.
  • View This Sample Resume For A Police Officer Or Download The Police Officer Resume Template In Word

    How To Write A Cover Letter For A Police Officer Position? | Example

    If youre patrolling the job market for a dependable career, law enforcement is a solid choice. A comprehensive resume can help you be considered for top police officer jobs, resume expert Kim Isaacs says. For resume writing tips, view this sample resume for a police officer that Isaacs created below, or download the police officer resume template in Word.

    Jobs for police officers are projected to grow by 7% from 2016 through 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . Unsurprisingly, you’ll find the highest level of employment for this law enforcement job in the following populous 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.

    In terms of salaries, 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 search for police officer jobs on Monster.

    You May Like: How Important Is A Police Report In A Car Accident

    Police Officer Resume: Education

    The education section of your resume for police officer communicates the following information:

    • Name of the school/university you have attended.
    • Name of the courses you have pursued.
    • The location of your school/university.
    • Enrolment and graduation dates.

    While your educational background might not bring momentum changes to your job application, it will enhance your chances of getting shortlisted if you have relevant degrees as opposed to someone who doesn’t.

    To learn more about this section, read Hiration’s 2020 Guide on how to list education on your resume.

    In the meanwhile, feel free to use Hiration’s Online Resume Builder to write an impeccable police officer skills resume.

    It comes with 100+ design templates and 25+ content templates that you can easily modify to suit your professional endeavors.

    We have attached a sample police resume below. It illustrates what the perfect education section of your resume for a police officer should ideally look like.

    What Makes A Great Police Officer Resume: Key Takeaways

    • Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation
    • Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers
    • Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary
    • Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience
    • List soft skills backed by examples
    • Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description
    • Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.

    Read Also: Do Police Take Your License Dui

    Highlight Your Professional Experience Using Numbers And Action Verbs

    Being a police officer involves working in tough environments. Underneath each job position listed in your professional experience, list a few key activities and achievements that give hiring managers a better idea of your experience as a police officer.

    In your work history, avoid writing bullet points that only identify the basic job functions of a police officer, and instead focus on putting specific achievements on your resume that show how capable you are.

    For example, saying: Issued tickets to violators of local laws doesnt tell the reader anything more about you as a police officer than they would have already expected, so its a waste of valuable space on your resume.

  • adding this bullet point to your law enforcement resume highlights your commitment to leadership in the community, that you value connecting with young people, and youre experienced in dealing with dangerous environments and individuals.
  • including a hard number in your bullet point puts your policing accomplishments in context, showing employers what they can expect you to achieve if they hire you.
  • starting each bullet point with a strong resume action verb presents you as a proactive and competent officer something police departments seek in candidates, whether youre writing a police recruit resume, police sergeant resume, or a police chief resume.
  • Here are more action verbs that are useful for police officers to fit into their resumes:

    • Supervised

    Example Police Officer Job Description

    Police officer resume sample

    The Community Services Section of the City Police Department seeks an experienced police officer for community engagement and education in neighborhoods that have high incidents of juvenile crime and school truancy. The officer will act as liaison with school personnel, social services, community leaders, and parents to reduce crime and raise awareness of the benefits of education.

    Responsibilities:

    • Partner with school resource officers, community leaders, department of social services to increase community engagement and reduce juvenile violence
    • Build parent awareness of resources available to track student progress
    • Conflict resolution
    • 5+ years law enforcement experience
    • Fluency in Spanish preferred
    • Ability to work collaboratively and independently
    • Flexible hours

    Read Also: Where Can You Get A Police Scanner

    Federal Police Officer I Resume

    Summary : Certified federal police officer, certified federal correctional officer, certified state police officer with 17 years of experience. Areas of expertise include Patrolling, Narcotics, Raid Planning and Execution, Traffic and Investigations. Retired Army officer with 18 years of military experience.

    Skills : Fluent In Spanish, Skilled Communicator And Speaker, Critical Thinking And Decision-making, Strong Leadership And Organizational, Type 65 – 95 Wpm.

    Description :

    Description :

    • Completed a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
    • Obtained and used a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
    • Required to wear safety clothing and/or equipment required by the position.
    • Passed a pre-employment physical examination.
    • Passed a pre-employment psychological evaluation.
    • Submited to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.
    • Carried and use a firearm. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory.
    • Completed training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA.

    Description :

    Description :

    Police Officer Resume Summaryexample

    Heads up.

    The last of those police officer resume samples is just a skills list. The first shows you reached police officer goals.

    Thats probable cause for hiring you.

    But my police officer experience is still in training!

    Thats when you need to list transferable skills from non-law-enforcement jobs.

    See these entry-level resume samples for police officer jobs:

    You May Like: How To Become A Certified Police Officer

    Police Officer Resume: Personal Information

    Writing a perfect police resume demands that each section is perfected. This means that the personal information section needs to be perfected too.

    In simple words, the personal information section of your police resume is that section of your resume which illustrates your contact details. Using the details provided in this section, a recruiter gets in touch with you.

    Ideally, this section should consist of the following information:

    • Mobile Number
    • Email ID
    • Location

    Hiration Pro Tip: Evaluate the resume requirements around personal information for the country you are targeting. Once you identify them, update your police resume accordingly.

    Mobile Number

    The right way to showcase your mobile number in your police resume is listed below:

    • Give only one mobile number in your police resume.
    • Make sure that the number you provide is an active number on which you are available 24×7.
    • Use your countrys ISD code as a prefix before your phone number.
    • Put a plus sign before the ISD code.
    • Example: +1 92839 02831.

    Professional E-mail Address

    Your email ID is a professional communication channel between you and your recruiter. Thus, your email ID should be professionally written.

    An ideal email ID is one that is stripped of fancy nicknames.

    For example, if your name is Sarah Thomas, you can write your email ID in the manner stated below:

    Location

    Next up in the personal information section is your location.

    Police Officer Resume Sample for Personal Information

    Here Is The Police Officer Resume Example:

    Security officer Resume

    A police officers career involves protecting life and property, and this means that these individuals will often find themselves in dangerous and/or stressful situations. As such, police officers should all possess certain skills and characteristics, such as the ability to remain calm in the face of conflict, to use good judgment, and to communicate well with others. You will also need to prove your physical fitness.

    A police officer must complete training as a recruit before joining the force, but this training is generally provided at a state or regional level through the local agency. It is important to include this information in your resume as it is required in order to be considered for a position at any level. Listed below are three police officer resume format examples for different stages in your career.

    Entry-Level Resume

    A police officer needs to have a GED or high school diploma in order to start recruit training through his or her local department, and these individuals are encouraged to continue their education. Some agencies require at least some college, and a few may require a college degree. In almost all cases, candidates must be at least 21 years of age. Below, Martin Hamilton, who has been working as a security guard since he graduated high school, highlights his education and his recruit training before describing his employment history.

    Don’t Miss: Can Police Unlock Your Car

    Skills And Key Achievements: What To Include In Your Cv When Leaving The Police

    Achievements are the most important thing on a resume. It’s been proven that CVs that are achievement lead are 70% more likely to be chosen for interview. Its common sense, but its massively overlooked. Human nature makes it hard to take pride in what weve done. Especially, if you live in the moment, you might have forgotten things, but writing a CV requires you to really think about what you’ve done.

    If thinking about achievements is too difficult for you, ask yourself, How did I make a difference? Or when you started in the role, what improvements did you bring? This is what employers want to know.

    Police Officers have a hard time talking about their achievements, however, when you ask about what they’re proud of, it can be easier to tie down their achievements. So if you’re looking to write your own CV ask yourself, What were you most proud of?How did you make a difference?

    More articles

    Popular Articles