Police Officer Resume Examples
Download our free police officer resume examples to see what you should include on your own resume, and check out our writing tips for further help.
Interested in a different template or color palette? Our assortment of free resume templates can help.
Interested in a different template or color palette? Our assortment of free resume templates can help.
Interested in a different template or color palette? Our assortment of free resume templates can help.
Police Officer Cover Letter & Related Resumes
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- Entry Level Police Officer Resume
- Mid-Level Police Officer Resume
- Senior-Level Police Officer Resume
FIRST AND LAST NAME
Email: your.email@email.com
Phone: (123) 456-7891
Address: Street, City, State
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yourprofile
RESUME SUMMARY
Dynamic and driven recently graduated criminal justice major eager to start a career in law enforcement. Possess a solid foundation in coursework related to criminal justice, including fingerprinting and evidence collection, coupled with hands-on experience in security. Committed to using my academic knowledge and skills to serve my community, uphold the law, and build positive relationships with citizens.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Perry Security, Sacramento, CA
Part-time Security Attendant, January 20XX–present
- Managed after-hours access to 3 different sites, ensuring the security and safety of the buildings for 12 hours per week
- Created accurate reports of after-hours access, incidents, and activities, and documented all security-related matters systematically and thoroughly
- Maintained positive and professional interactions with tenants, clients, staff, and the public, fostering a safe and welcoming environment
UPS, Sacramento, CA
Warehouse Worker and Package Handler, June 20XX–December 20XX
- Collaborated with team members to efficiently sort packages based on destination and delivery route, ensuring timely and accurate distribution
- Demonstrated strong teamwork skills while loading and unloading delivery trucks, contributing to a smooth and organized workflow
Yolo County YMCA, Woodland, CA
Volunteer Swim Instructor, April 20XX–August 20XX
- Provided coaching and instruction to small classes of elementary-school-aged swimmers, promoting teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal growth in the sport
- Assisted head coaches in planning and organizing swim practices and drills, ensuring a structured and productive training environment
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Sacramento State University, Sacramento, CA, 20XX
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
- Licenced driver with clean driving record
- CPR Certified (April 20XX)
- Research and analysis
- Bilingual in English and Tagalog
RESUME SUMMARY
Dedicated police officer with five years of proven success in ensuring public safety and fostering community trust. Proficient in crisis intervention, emergency response, and mentoring junior officers. Committed to applying leadership and problem-solving skills to enhance community outreach and youth development initiatives. Seeking advancement to the role of Sergeant to continue serving with integrity and making a positive impact on the community.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Police Officer III Field Training Officer
Houston Police Department, Houston, TX
August 20XX–Present
- Direct daily operations of assigned shift, ensuring optimal deployment of resources and timely response to emergency calls
- Mentor and coach over 20 junior officers, providing guidance on law enforcement procedures, conflict resolution techniques, and professional development opportunities
- Collaborate with departmental leadership to develop and implement innovative strategies for crime prevention and community engagement, resulting in improved public perception and satisfaction with police services
Police Officer I, II
Houston Police Department, Houston, TX
July 20XX–August 2XX
- Implemented community policing strategies, leading to a reduction in reported crime rates within assigned patrol area over a two-year period
- Responded to emergency calls, including domestic disputes, accidents, and criminal incidents, providing timely assistance and support to victims and ensuring public safety
- Established and maintained positive relationships with community members, local businesses, and civic organizations through regular engagement activities, enhancing trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the community
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Associate of Arts, Sociology
Houston Community College
Houston, TX – May 20XX
AWARDS
- Crisis Intervention Excellence Award
- Emergency Response Leadership Recognition
- Community Policing Achievement Award
- Community Engagement Award: Neighborhood Outreach Program
- Letter of Appreciation from Mayor’s Office
RESUME SUMMARY
Dedicated law enforcement professional with 5 years of experience on the Albuquerque Police force. Supervised 12 officers and trained over 40 recruits as sergeant. Adept at quick thinking in high-pressure situations, budget management, and supervising personnel. Seeking to apply extensive experience to the position of detective.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Albuquerque Police Department, Albuquerque, NM
Sergeant I, January 20XX–present
- Lead a squad of 12 patrol officers as Watch Commander in the Field Operations Division, coordinating section activities, and providing direction and critique for my subordinates’ work
- Managed budget and operations as Section Manager in the Administrative Services Division
- Developed and prepared new training programs, law enforcement directives and staff reports over 5 years as a Sergeant
Police Officer, April 20XX–December 20XX
- Conducted over 500 patrols of my assigned district, resulting in a decrease in reported vandalism incidents
- Issued over 200 citations and warnings for moving violations, contributing to a reduction in traffic accidents and fatalities in the patrol area
- Successfully executed more than 20 arrests related to narcotics manufacturing activity, leading to the disruption of several major drug trafficking operations
- Responded to the scene of over 200 crimes and accidents, and visited local banks, stores, and other businesses to establish a rapport with the owners in support of our community policing philosophy
EDUCATION & TRAINING
BS Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement
New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 20XX
Leadership in Crisis Training Program
Artesia, NM, 20XX
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
- Bilingual in English and Spanish
- Firearm safety
- Interrogation
- Media training
- Negotiation and conflict resolution
- First-degree black belt in judo
Average police officer salaries in the US
The following table includes information from O*NET Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. The data is presented based on the top states in the USA.
Average police officer annual salaries by state
State | Salary / Year |
---|---|
New York | $85,460 |
Texas | $74,010 |
California | $113,460 |
Florida | $68,240 |
Pennsylvania | $85,390 |
Illinois | $98,430 |
Ohio | $74,300 |
Georgia | $53,730 |
North Carolina | $52,380 |
Michigan | $69,240 |
National Average | $69,798 |
How to Write a Police Officer Resume
We’re here to help you make writing a resume for a police officer as straightforward as possible.
1. Write a standout resume summary
A resume summary is one type of resume introduction (about three to four sentences long) that explains your qualifications, experience, and motivation for applying to a job.
When you write your resume summary, highlight the skills, experience, and qualifications that make you a good fit to become a police officer. Here’s an example of a police officer resume summary for a recent graduate:
Passionate recent graduate with a degree in sociology, specializing in criminology. Contributed to community outreach initiatives focused on crime prevention. Excited to apply my academic knowledge and practical skills as a police officer, enhance public safety, and foster community trust.
If you have experience in other fields and want to change your career, here’s how you might write your law enforcement resume summary:
Dedicated Social Worker with a strong background in crisis intervention and conflict resolution. Experienced in providing support to individuals and families facing adversity. Seeking to transition to a career in law enforcement as a Police Officer to utilize my skills in emergency response and public safety to serve and protect the community.
2. Make your experience match the job description
In the experience section of your resume, list any jobs you’ve had and include a few key activities and achievements for each in a bulleted list below the job title. This gives recruiters a better idea of your experience and how it relates to becoming a police officer.
Avoid simply listing the basic responsibilities of your former or present jobs. Instead, list your specific achievements as well as any skills you used or developed.
Here’s an example of a police officer job description:
This description lists a clean driving record, strong communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to deal with high-pressure situations.
Here’s how you could make your job experience section match the language of that job description:
Electrician, Laxalt Electric
Elko, NV — April 20XX–present
- Trained over 20 apprentices, using strong communication and interpersonal skills to facilitate learning and skill development
- Carried out installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical components and systems for businesses, government buildings, and industrial plants
- Maintained safe operation of company vehicle in all work-related driving tasks with a clean driving record
- Ensured a safe work environment for all team members during high-pressure situations, with zero workplace accidents
And, even if your job history is not directly related to law enforcement, you can still show that you have qualities that recruiters are looking for, like teamwork and dedication.
For example, this applicant uses their experience as a delivery driver to highlight their skills as a responsible driver and team player:
Delivery Driver, FedEx
Spokane, WA — April 20XX–present
- Communicated delivery instructions and resolved customer inquiries as a delivery driver, utilizing strong verbal and written communication skills
- Applied critical thinking to navigate through traffic, resolve logistical challenges, and ensure successful deliveries while maintaining customer satisfaction
- Maintained perfect driving record with no violations or accidents
- Reliably collaborated with colleagues to coordinate delivery schedules, share workload, and support team goals in a fast-paced environment
If you’re a recent high school graduate, highlight any volunteer or internship experience that you have, making sure to emphasize your contributions and accomplishments:
Volunteer Youth Soccer Coach, AYSO, Temecula, CA
August 20XX — December 20XX
- Coached and mentored 15 youth soccer players aged 8-10, fostering teamwork and sportsmanship
- Communicated messages and instructions clearly to parents and other team coaches
- Organized team fundraisers, raising over $7,000 for uniforms, trophies, and snacks
Fire Department Intern, Temecula Fire Department, Temecula, CA
January 20XX — May 20XX
- Observed and assisted professional firefighters during preparation for emergency response activities, gaining firsthand exposure to dispatching, equipment storage, and emergency response
- Supported firefighters by performing tasks such as equipment maintenance, inventory management, and facility upkeep, contributing to operational efficiency and readiness
- Engaged in fire prevention and safety education programs, fire station tours, and community outreach
3. Highlight your education and certifications
Most law enforcement jobs don’t have a specific educational requirement, but it’s still important to showcase your education and any certifications you have. This is especially true if you don’t have much work experience.
If you’re a recent high school or college graduate, you’ll want to highlight any awards you received, and list your GPA on your resume.
Here’s an example of how that looks:
High School Diploma
South Eugene High School, Eugene, OR
June 20XX
GPA: 3.8/4.0
Awards:
- Honor Roll, all semesters
- Outstanding Achievement in Mathematics, 20XX
If you have some work experience, you don’t need to list your GPA, but you should still emphasize any coursework that is relevant to law enforcement.
4. Showcase your relevant skills
List all of your skills that are applicable to law enforcement work in the skills section of your resume, including language skills, physical ability, and research or analytical skills.
Here are some useful skills to put on a resume for a police officer:
- Communication skills
- Report writing
- Leadership
- Instruction and training
- Emergency response
- Public relations
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Media relations
- Public speaking
- Recruitment
- Strategic planning
- Budget management
- Legislative advocacy
- Crisis management
- Conflict resolution
- Policy development
- Personnel management
- Helicopter operation (for specialized units)
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