Police Officer resume example & writing guide
- Why use this police officer resume example?
- How to write a great police officer resume
- Which key skills are relevant to a police officer resume?
- Police Officer Resume example
As the figure many people look to for law, order, justice, and safety, the responsibilities of a police officer are many and heavy. The best police departments seek out prospective police officers who can uphold the duties of their station, think clearly in dangerous situations, and build a relationship of mutual trust between themselves and the communities they are meant to serve and protect. With the following guidelines and templates, you can create a professional resume that demonstrates these qualifications and more.
Why use this police officer resume example?
The police officer resume template included below isn’t drastically different from the many resume templates you can find on the internet, containing familiar sections for summarizing your career paths, professional experience, education, etc. The most distinct layout feature it has is an education sub-section for the listing of special seminars and certifications for high-stakes policing principles and procedures.
Additionally, the sample text of this resume template is useful thanks to its use of certain keywords and phrases that hiring managers of police stations like to see in applications for law enforcement positions - terms such as “solutions-oriented,” “monitor suspicious activities,” and so on.
How to write a great police officer resume
After listing your name and contact information, then adding the career title of “police officer,” write a one-paragraph summary of your to-date career in law enforcement. Discuss your personal strengths and draw attention to law enforcement responsibilities that you excel at.
If you have specific proficiencies in firearms, self-defense gear, or key policing tools, list them below the summary.
After describing your key skills in the resume’s areas of expertise section, describe your past and current law enforcement or security careers in the professional experience section. Describe normal responsibilities in a single, detailed paragraph and unique accomplishments in a bullet point list with the heading “selected contributions and achievements.”
In the education section, list any college or university degrees you earned (along with the universities that issued them). In the professional development and certification subsection, list any courses you took or certificates you earned that taught you important police procedures (the responsible use of tasers, testing for sobriety, etc).
Which key skills are relevant to a police officer resume?
Police departments frequently seek out officers with the following skills:
Team building & leadership
Staff training & development
Crime scene investigation
Evidence collection & preservation
Interviewing & interrogation
Domestic violence programs
Emergency medical response
Local community partnerships
Conflict resolution & de-escalation
Interpersonal communication
High-stress decision-making
Law enforcement ethics
Police Officer Resume example
Summary example
Team-focused, solutions-oriented professional with more than 15 years’ experience in law enforcement. Consistent track record of improving public safety and security by developing and implementing effective new law enforcement programs and crime prevention initiatives. History of cultivating and strengthening community relations by interacting with community leaders and residents, speaking in local schools and at relevant city-wide events. Motivational leader with proven success training, coaching, mentoring, and supervising personnel.
Employment history example
Police Officer for the City of Monterey
2018 - Present
Protect and serve Monterey citizens and visitors by enforcing local, state, and federal laws. Patrol assigned areas; respond to calls to monitor suspicious activities, persons, or establishments. Investigate various crimes, including traffic violations, theft, public disturbances, drug possession, DUIs (breathalyzer administration), domestic abuse incidents, and homicides. Investigate motor vehicle accidents to determine cause and / or culpability, coordinate response in handling injuries and fatalities, and provide support for all involved. Interview witnesses, issue citations, arrest and transport offenders, and write detailed police reports. Testify in felony, misdemeanor, and traffic cases. Provide case evidence to court in support of legal actions. Operate a wide array of police vehicles, firearms, and technologies.
Selected Contributions and Achievements:
Contributed to building a strong, stable, highly competent workforce by training both new and transferring officers on the procedures, values, and ethical standards of the Monterey Police Department.
Acted as chief liaison between the Academy and Department in ensuring all recruits met requirements.
Served as Firearms Instructor (for pistols and rifles) and as a Less Lethal Instructor, and delivered informative in-service trainings on various topics.
Demonstrated versatility in working across all three shifts (days, swings, and midnights) in Motors, Community Action Team, and as a Field Training Officer. Served as Officer in Charge for three midnight shifts, two swing shifts, and two special events.
Represented Department in numerous community meetings, contributed statements and observations to the media for various news reports, and delivered on-camera interviews for local news stations covering community policing issues.
In response to request from local neighborhood association presidents, analyzed traffic survey data and produced report to help citizens understand local traffic patterns and issues.
Police Officer for the Sabattus Police Department
2013 - 2018
Oversaw and participated in patrolling local community, receiving citizen complaints, and serving as first responder to all calls for service and assistance. Trained and supervised personnel. Arrested and detained individuals with and without warrants. Secured crime scenes, conducted search and seizure, and collected evidence and information. Independently planned and carried out a wide range of investigations. Interviewed witnesses, interrogated suspects, and took statements. Performed traffic control activities in accordance with departmental orders. Worked effectively with challenging persons and situations including intoxicated, disorderly, suicidal, and mentally ill individuals. Provided community policing such as public speaking and organization of crime prevention programs. Established and maintained positive relationships with community leaders, local business owners, and persons of influence.
Police Officer for the Richmond Police Department
2007 - 2013
Served as full-time Police Officer assigned to swing shift as Patrol Officer and Crime Scene Technician. Responded to complaints and calls for service or assistance. Arrested and detained individuals, conducted investigations, interviewed witnesses, and interrogated suspects. Performed traffic control duties. Identified, isolated, and secured crime scenes. Established restricted perimeters to prevent evidence tampering and compromise. Preserved, collected, and recorded impressions such as fingerprints, footprints, tool marks, tire marks, and bite marks, and fingerprints. Collected DNA evidence including blood, semen, hair, skin, blood stain patterns, bodily fluids, and nails. Gathered trace evidence such as gunshot residue, fibers, accelerant, paint, and glass. Collected firearms evidence including weapons, spent casings, bullet fragments, cartridges, and gun powder patterns. Supported community policing through public speaking and coordination of crime prevention programs.
Education example
B.S. Degree in Administrative Justice at the University of Maine at Augusta
Member of Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society
Associate Degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Maine at Augusta
Skills example
Staff Training & Development
Crime Scene Investigation
Evidence Collection & Preservation
Interviewing & Interrogation
