When writing your police officer cover letter, focus on how you can help enforce laws and keep people safe for the department that posted the job. Also, showcase your related skills, such as community engagement, gathering evidence, or reporting and documentation.
This guide will help you write a cover letter that gets you interviews for your next job as a police officer.
Police Officer Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
How To Write a Police Officer Cover Letter
An effective police officer cover letter usually has five sections, outlined below. When possible, connect each section back to your law enforcement skills and the organization’s hiring needs. The following advice and examples show what to include in your cover letter so it’s optimized for each job application.
1. Heading
At the top of the page, include your resume contact header, the date, and any basic details you have about your recipient (as in the example below). To set a clear professional focus, add the title police officer to your contact header.
Example
Ashley Handley
Police Officer | [email protected] | (654) 321-0987 | 432 Main Rd., Salt Lake City, UT 65432
April 5, 2024
Alan Chen
Senior Hiring Manager
Salt Lake City Police Department
(789) 012-3456
[email protected]
2. Salutation
Address your recipient by name – this is the quickest way to signal you’re sending a job-specific letter and not a boilerplate. If you can’t find the recipient’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager” so your greeting is still tailored somewhat to each job opening.
Example
Dear Ms. Mustafa:
Dear Western Regional Police Department:
3. “Hook” or introduction
Catch the reader’s attention by starting your letter with a clear example or measure of your success as a police officer. Cite an achievement that shows you’ve excelled at responding to incidents, preventing theft, apprehending suspects, or otherwise serving the public and upholding agency standards.
Example
Last year, I successfully de-escalated 87% of high-conflict situations without the need to resort to force, making me the top-performing officer in my department in achieving peaceful resolutions. My ability to remain calm under pressure and my excellent persuasive skills enabled me to calm heated altercations. I hope to demonstrate the same outstanding interpersonal skills as a patrol officer at the Salt Lake City Police Department.
4. Body paragraph(s)
Briefly explain why this police officer job interests or suits you. For example, maybe the role focuses on narcotics, a crime prevention area that overlaps with your work and volunteer background. Or maybe you’re applying to serve a population or region you’re already familiar with or would like to return to. Also, think about how the department’s stated mission or values compare to your own.
Following this explanation, cite a few more of your skills or achievements, possibly as bullet points.
Example
As a dedicated officer with over two years’ experience and a strong sense of commitment to the Salt Lake City community, the opportunity to protect and improve the lives of local residents appeals to me. My recent achievements demonstrate my suitability for the role:
- Achieving a 99.8% accuracy rating for incident reports last year
- Receiving praise three times during performance appraisals for my appropriate and proportional use of physical force
- Demonstrating cool-headedness and quick-thinking when responding to a serious security incident to prevent significant loss of life
5. Call to action
Finally, request an interview for the position. Consider briefly restating your main skills as a police officer and your focus on helping keep people safe and property secure. To end your cover letter, use a simple closing like “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and then your name.
Example
I would like the opportunity to discuss how my abilities can help the Air Force Civilian Service achieve its aims in 2024. Please get in touch to schedule a suitable interview.
Sincerely,
Charles Flynn
Police Officer Cover Letter Tips
1. Highlight your law enforcement skills
As part of your letter’s body text, add a short list of bullet points to show your success in other key work areas for a police officer, like crime scene management, conflict resolution, or victim and suspect interviewing. With each bullet point, show the skill in action. For instance, you could show leadership by describing how you created an officer training course on de-escalation tactics.
Example
The following accomplishments show I have the knowledge and skills to become an asset to your service:
- Acting promptly and with sound judgment as the on-scene commander responding to an active shooter incident, resulting in zero casualties in a high-risk situation
- Achieving a score of 99.9% for implementing routine responses during spot checks in 2023
- Training seven new recruits in September 2023 to increase their knowledge and application of intelligence-gathering protocols
2. Emphasize community engagement
For many police departments, a key goal is building better ties with the community they serve. If your background and the police officer jobs you’re pursuing relate to this theme, use your cover letter to address it.
Example
As a longtime member of the Northern Central Police Department, I have a wealth of experience with patrolling the local area and building relationships in the community. My sense of justice is firm, and I proactively involve myself in the life of the neighborhood to foster trust and respect from the residents. I can continue these practices and serve with the Western Regional Police Department to the best of my ability.
3. Mention your relevant traits
Desired qualities in police officers include empathy, judgment, leadership, resilience, and adaptability. Consider which of these traits best describe you, then give an example or two of how you’ve applied them in a work setting.
Police Officer Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Charles Flynn
Police Officer | [email protected] | (012) 345-6789 | 432 My Blvd., San Antonio, TX 43210
April 6, 2024
Saima Mustafa
Senior Hiring Manager
Air Force Civilian Service
(876) 543-2109
[email protected]
Dear Ms. Mustafa,
Last year, I successfully resolved 98% of straightforward incidents by apprehending and detaining a suspect within the department’s target timeframe. My extensive knowledge of investigative techniques and intelligence gathering allowed me to achieve outstanding outcomes and protect the public. I hope to demonstrate the same skills as an officer in the Air Force Civilian Service.
The following accomplishments show I have the knowledge and skills to become an asset to your service:
- Acting promptly and with sound judgment as the on-scene commander responding to an active shooter incident, resulting in zero casualties in a high-risk situation
- Achieving a score of 99.9% for implementing routine responses during spot checks in 2023
- Training seven new recruits in September 2023 to increase their knowledge and application of intelligence-gathering protocols
I would like the opportunity to discuss how my abilities can help the Air Force Civilian Service achieve its aims in 2024. Please get in touch to schedule a suitable interview.
Sincerely,
Charles Flynn
Police Officer Cover Letter Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to start a cover letter?-
With a clear example of your success in the type of police role you’re pursuing. The concept of “show, don’t tell” absolutely applies to your cover letter’s first paragraph. For instance, don’t just tell the hiring manager you’re a “proactive law enforcement professional.” Show it by citing a time you exceeded expectations or found a new way to improve department procedures.
Do I really need a cover letter?-
Yes, in most cases. In today’s job search, employers usually require or allow you to send a cover letter along with your resume (a notable exception for your field is the Federal Bureau of Investigation). While not every hiring manager reads or prioritizes them, a well-crafted letter can only help you stand out from other applicants. It will also help you clarify what points to emphasize during the interview.
What traits are useful to highlight on my cover letter?-
Your resume’s. Carry over all of that document’s basic format settings, like font style, line spacing, and page margins.
Craft a new cover letter in minutes
Get the attention of hiring managers with a cover letter tailored to every job application.
