Law Enforcement Cover Letter Examples of 2023

Written by: Frank Hackett (CPRW)
Updated: March 11, 2023

Downloadable Examples
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Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for police officers was 66,026 in 2021. These positions are expected to experience a 3% growth rate, much lower than the national average. Positions in law enforcement can be highly competitive, depending on the area and department. Creating a customized cover letter to complement your resume can make all the difference in generating interviews.

Our Law Enforcement Cover Letter Guide will help you to:

  • •   Create compelling content that highlights your unique story within law enforcement by using tangible examples and showcasing your career achievements
  • •   Align your cover letter with individual job descriptions by demonstrating how your background and experience match the department’s core values and needs
  • •   Highlight your ability to build positive relationships with local communities and demonstrate your communication and conflict-resolution skills

Law Enforcement Cover Letters

Example #1
Law-Enforcement_Example-1.pdf

Example #1

Example #2
Law-Enforcement_Example-2.pdf

Example #2

Example #3
Law-Enforcement_Example-3.pdf

Example #3

Years of Experience
  • Example #1 #1
  • Example #2 #2
  • Example #3 #3

Mina Sayed
Police Officer | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 123 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia PA, 12345

January 1, 2022

Mr. Caleb Morris
Senior Hiring Manager
Philadelphia Police Force
(987) 654-3210
philadelphiapoliceforce.com

Dear Mr. Morris,

As a police officer with over five years of experience, I’ve developed expertise in community engagement and emergency response. During my time with the Chester Police Department, I led initiatives to build positive relationships within the community to prevent crime and increase public safety. I believe that my ability to interface with diverse communities makes me uniquely qualified for the police officer position with your organization.

The Philadelphia Police Department has a strong reputation for fairness, equity, and inclusion that strongly aligns with my core values as a member of law enforcement. I believe the only way we can de-escalate conflicts is by taking the time to understand the needs of the communities we serve. I am confident that I can provide valuable contributions to your department based on my past achievements:

  • Managed response to a variety of emergency incidents, car accidents, crimes in progress, and domestic disputes and utilized conflict resolution techniques to de-escalate critical situations
  • Built relationships within the community to establish trust between citizens and law enforcement, which included fielding concerns from community members in a public forum
  • Closed over 150 cases successfully in 2020, including theft, violent crimes, and drug crimes

I would like to schedule an interview to provide more insights into how my background in community engagement can help your department continue to build positive relationships with local citizens. You may contact me via phone or email at your earliest convenience. I appreciate your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Mina Sayed

Selena Ramirez
Police Officer | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 123 Bedford Avenue, New York, NY, 12345

January 1, 2022

Mr. Tyrone Jackson
Senior Hiring Manager
New York Police Department
(987) 654-3210
newyorkpolicedepartment.com

Dear Mr. Jackson,

With over eight years of experience in law enforcement, I’ve successfully closed over 300 cases throughout my career. During my time with the Syracuse Police Department, I conducted investigations for a variety of high-profile cases, including financial crimes, drug crimes, domestic violence, and homicides. I’m confident that my extensive background as an investigator would make me a valuable asset to your team in the police detective position.

The New York Police Department’s reputation as the most technologically advanced law enforcement agency is what draws me to apply for this position. As a police officer, I’m passionate about bringing justice to the communities I serve and believe the only way to achieve this is by driving technology integration across police departments. I am confident that I can deliver valuable contributions to your department based on my career achievements:

  • Conducted criminal case investigations and oversaw trial preparation for a variety of cases, including financial crimes, violent crimes, drug crimes, and homicides
  • Performed witness interviews, prepared search warrants and subpoenas, and conducted authorized wiretaps to gather critical information for high-profile criminal cases
  • Coordinated with local businesses and community leaders to foster positive relationships

I look forward to speaking with you further regarding how my unique experience in law enforcement can benefit your department. Feel free to contact me via phone or email for any additional questions you may have about my background. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Selena Ramirez

Anthony Gentile
Police Officer | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 123 W Adams Ave, Detroit, MI 12345

January 1, 2022

Mr. Matthew Johnson
Senior Hiring Manager
Detroit Police Department
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]

Dear Mr. Johnson,

As a police detective with over ten years of experience in law enforcement, I’ve managed over 400 successful criminal investigations. During my time with the Michigan State Police Department, I led the training and development of 50+ officers to improve emergency response time by over 15%. I believe my leadership experience makes me uniquely qualified for the detective position with your department.

The Detroit Police Department’s reputation for promoting individual responsibility and community commitment aligns with my core values as a member of law enforcement. I believe that it’s only by building trust within our communities that we can maintain public safety and preserve human life. I am confident that my background and experience as a detective would be a valuable asset to your department based on my past achievements:

  • Managed over 400 criminal investigations with a 60% success rate, including homicides, violent crimes, sexual crimes, theft, and drug trafficking
  • Overhauled training programs for the Michigan State Police Department to drive the development of 50+ new officers, resulting in a 15% improvement in emergency response times
  • Coordinated public relations and press conferences with local media representatives concerning active investigations and liaised with local members of the community

I would like to schedule an interview to provide additional insights into how my leadership experience can improve emergency response times for your department. You may contact me via phone or email at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Anthony Gentile

Law Enforcement Cover Letter Tips

Now that you’ve seen some examples of law enforcement cover letters, we’ll provide additional insights to help you craft your own document. As a police officer, creating a compelling cover letter that tells your unique story is important. Even if your skill sets check all the boxes for an organization, you’ll be less likely to stand out from the competition if your content is vague and generic. Focus on what makes you unique as a police officer and provide tangible examples of how you’ve worked to improve the lives of the communities you serve. Below, you’ll find three expert tips to help you craft your law enforcement cover letter:

1. Highlight Community Engagement

As a member of law enforcement, you’ll be interfacing with the public on a daily basis. Your ability to conduct investigations and ensure public safety depends on your communication skills. Police departments value candidates who excel in building positive relationships within the community, as it’s essential to build trust with the citizens you protect and serve. In the example below, the candidate paints a strong image of how they’ve devoted themselves to community engagement throughout their career in law enforcement:

As a police officer with over five years of experience, I’ve developed expertise in community engagement and emergency response. During my time with the Chester Police Department, I led initiatives to build positive relationships within the community to prevent crime and increase public safety. I believe that my ability to interface with diverse communities makes me uniquely qualified for the police officer position with your organization.

2. Mention the Department’s Reputation and Core Values

When crafting your cover letter, it’s important to say something about the organization’s reputation or core values. You want to draw attention to how your background and experience are aligned with the police department you’re applying to. If you send out a generic cover letter that isn’t customized for individual job applications, you’ll be much less likely to grab the hiring manager’s attention. Taking the time to align your cover letter with the organization shows hiring managers that you’re genuinely engaged in the application process. In the example below, the candidate specifically mentions NYPD’s reputation for its usage of cutting-edge technology in police investigations:

The New York Police Department’s reputation as the most technologically advanced law enforcement agency is what draws me to apply for this position. As a police officer, I’m passionate about bringing justice to the communities I serve and believe the only way to achieve this is by driving technology integration across police departments. I am confident that I can deliver valuable contributions to your department based on my career achievements.

3. Create a Strong Introductory Paragraph

It’s important to grab the hiring manager’s attention as early as possible in your cover letter. Creating a strong introductory paragraph is crucial, as this will draw the reader in and set the tone for your document. The best strategy is to open your cover letter with one of your most substantial career achievements to peak the hiring manager’s interest. In the example below, the candidate draws attention to the high number of criminal cases they’ve solved during their time in law enforcement, which shows they have a proven track record of success:

With over eight years of experience in law enforcement, I’ve successfully closed over 300 cases throughout my career. During my time with the Syracuse Police Department, I conducted investigations for a variety of high-profile cases, including financial crimes, drug crimes, domestic violence, and homicides. I’m confident that my extensive background as an investigator would make me a valuable asset to your team in the police detective position.

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