Police Officer Resume Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Carla Romero
(882) 442-3458
1911 Ridge Avenue, Roxborough, PA 19128
Profile
Dedicated Police Officer with 2+ years of experience. Skilled at resolving conflicts and disarming hostile situations. Actively engage with community leaders to find relevant solutions and effect positive change. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.
Key Skills
- Community Education
- Criminal Investigations
- Forcible Arrests
- Highway Emergency Response
- Patrol Vehicle Operation
- Public Safety & Security
- Victim & Suspect Interviewing
Work Experience
Police Officer, City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia PA | July 2020 to Present
- Patrol assigned area by foot and car to help direct traffic, enforce laws, and ensure public safety
- Answer calls and investigate complaints of criminal activity
- Take proper action at crime scenes by gathering evidence, locating witnesses, and making arrests as needed
- Appear in court to present evidence and testify against defendants
Highlights:
- Won “Rookie of the Year” in 2021, and earned multiple commendations for heroism and public safety
- Used Spanish fluency to improve relations between police and the local Hispanic community
Server, Osteria, Philadelphia, PA | January 2015 to July 2020
- Demonstrated strong efficiency, collaboration, and service mindset in a fast-paced work environment
Education
Graduate, Philadelphia Police Academy, Philadelphia, PA | 2020
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Criminal Justice, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | 2018
Christian Nichols
(884) 429-8311
57 Nightingale Court, Parkville, MO 64152
Profile
Police Sergeant with 7+ years of advancement and experience. Draw on strong knowledge of state and federal laws, local ordinances, and community police policies. Natural collaborator who builds productive relationships with various departments and organization levels. Equally effective in a leadership or hands-on role.
Key Skills
- Community Engagement
- Conflict Resolution
- Constitutional Policing
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Efficiency Improvement
- Firearm Safety & Operation
- Rapid Problem-Solving
- Reporting & Documentation
- Team Leadership
Professional Experience
Police Sergeant, City of Chicago Police Department, Chicago, IL | November 2020 to Present
- Oversee, motivate, and performance-manage a squad of officers
- Review officers’ reports for completeness and accuracy
- Train new officers on department policies and procedures, and monitor progress
- Patrol community by foot, car, and bicycle
- Respond to calls for assistance, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, or disruptive behavior
- Investigate traffic accidents, and issue citations as needed
- Direct traffic and participate in emergency operation activities
- Investigate crimes by interviewing witnesses, gathering physical evidence, and arresting and processing suspects
- Prepare cases and testify in court as needed
University Police Officer, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL | March 2016 to August 2020
- Charged with helping ensure campus safety and security, under direction of sergeant
- Enforced campus policies, local ordinances, and state laws and regulations
- Responded to accidents, incidents, and emergencies
- Conducted initial and follow-up investigations
- Participated in education efforts on crime prevention and community-oriented public safety
Education
Kansas City Regional Police Academy, Kansas City, MO
- Leadership Academy | 2019
- Recruit Training | 2016
Graduate, Archbishop O’Hara High School, Kansas City, MO | 2015
Certifications
Crime Scene Technician
Criminal Investigator
John Pickman
(642) 821-3586
478 Seaview Way, Coos Bay, OR 97420
Profile
Dedicated Police Officer & Lieutenant with nearly 10 years’ experience working with K-9 partners to detect narcotics and explosives, apprehend suspects, and enforce state and federal laws.
Key Skills
- Armed Security
- Community Service & Education
- Criminal Investigation
- Defensive Tactics
- Firearm Safety & Operation
- Reporting & Documentation
- Team Leadership & Motivation
Professional Experience
K-9 Unit Lieutenant, Police Department – City of Coos Bay, Coos Bay, OR | August 2017 to Present
- Supervise K-9 unit sergeants and staff members
- Assign K-9 police officers to shifts, patrol operations, and investigations
- Review officers’ reports, and ensure adherence to all policies and procedures
- Patrol with K-9 officers to maintain strong police presence and deter criminal activity
- Team with trained dogs to enforce laws, respond to emergencies, and find and apprehend suspects
Staff Sergeant, 3rd Infantry Regiment, US Army, Baghdad, Iraq | November 2013 to May 2017
- Enhanced force protection through partnership with K-9 patrol and explosive detector dogs
- Role focused on health and welfare searches, law and order operations, and VIP and customs support
Police Officer, Police Department – City of Coos Bay, Coos Bay, OR | January 2008 to November 2013
- Patrolled assigned area by foot, car, and bike to enforce laws and promote public safety
- Directed and monitored traffic, issuing citations as needed
- Investigated and reported traffic accidents or criminal activity
- Gathered evidence and testified in court as needed
Education & Professional Development
Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice, Central Oregon Community College, Bend, OR
Certified Officer, Oregon Public Safety Academy, Salem, OR
Advanced Individual Training (AIT) on Handling & Training a Military Working Dog, US Army
Common Key Skills and Action Verbs for Police Officer Resumes
It is essential that a candidate for a police officer position possesses the skills that a specific department of community needs, but some characteristics and attributes are universally desired. Applicants for these positions need to understand the importance of the words that they incorporate in their resume: Many law enforcement Human Resources departments utilize an automated Applicant Tracking Systems that filters out applicants whose resumes do not contain the keywords that they are looking for. To avoid being left out of consideration, you need to make sure that the words most frequently used to describe police officer skills and actions are included in your resume.
| Key Skills & Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Critical thinking | Dedication |
| Detail oriented | Diligent |
| Emotional intelligence | Ethical |
| Organized | Patience |
| Public safety | Social perceptiveness |
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Communicate | Defuse |
| Interview | Investigate |
| Multitask | Negotiate |
| Observe | Protect |
| Question | |
Tips for Writing a Better Police Officer Resume
Highlight specific certifications that add to your qualifications
All police begin their careers as generalists, responding to calls for help, patrolling neighborhoods, and investigating crimes. But after a few years on the force you may have pursued special disciplines of certifications that add to your value and appeal. These certifications and skills should be highlighted within the text of your resume.
Example #1
Good
After being certified by CyberShield for HiTET (High Technology Environment Training), used knowledge of technology and forms of digital evidence to investigate and identify cybercriminal rings responsible for multiple ransomware attacks.
Bad
Working knowledge of technology and cybercrime.
Example #2
Good
Following passage of Human Remains K-9 Team Test administered by the Eastern States Working Dog Association, assisted in recovery of remains of three missing individuals and returning them to their families.
Bad
Search and rescue experience.
In addition to technical skills, feature soft skills
Police work is increasingly focused on community relations and social justice, so it’s important to highlight any experience or personal attributes that will show your ability to connect with neighborhoods and develop relationships with the people who the force is there to serve.
Example #1
Good
Strong emotional intelligence and the ability to communicate, problem solve, and defuse high-stress situations.
Bad
Good in a crisis.
Example #2
Good
Created best practices procedural manual with emphasis on community engagement, conflict resolution, and constitutional policing and introduced an anonymous hotline allowing civilians to voice concerns.
Bad
Volunteered at Police Athletic League.
How to Align Your Resume with the Job Description
Though there are many aspects of policing that are universal, every department and precinct has a unique character, and each job has its own unique demands. If you’re interested in a particular position, much of its appeal is likely due to the way the job or environment was described. Your goal is to use the very same or similar language in your resume so that the hiring manager will recognize you as their perfect candidate.
Though that may sound like a complex task, it’s really quite simple. Read through the job description, highlighting all of the words that are particular to the position. Whether they are attributes of the department, the job responsibilities or the characteristics or skills of their ideal candidate, once you’ve identified all of them, go back and insert them where appropriate in your resume. They may be looking for a skill that you have but didn’t think to include, or may use an adjective that you can add. This type of echoing can go a long way to opening the door to opportunity.
Example Police Officer Job Description
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
- Presentation development and delivery
Qualifications:
- Training in public speaking
- Leadership
- Law enforcement certification
- 5+ years law enforcement experience
- Fluency in Spanish preferred
- High initiative
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently
- Flexible hours
The police department recruiting for this position is looking for highly specific abilities, including:
- Collaboration with community and school stakeholders
- Ability to relate to juvenile offenders
- Ability to engage parents
- Conflict resolution
- Presentation skills
An applicant whose skills and experience match this department’s needs and who is interested in the position would highlight and echo the terms highlighted above.
Police Officer Work Experience Example
School Police Officer
Wilmington High School – August 2017 — Present
- Provide for the safety and welfare of students while on school grounds
- Enforce truancy and disciplinary policies
- Investigate illegal student, staff, and parent actions
- Communicate information for the general wellbeing of students, personnel, and or visitors
- Act as a resource for and instructor to students, focusing on crime prevention, drug awareness and prevention, and importance of education
- Engage with community leaders to encourage positive relations between students and local retailers
- Utilize fluency in Spanish to encourage greater engagement between diverse student demographics
- Introduced weekend athletic program sponsored and coached by local shopkeepers and parents to encourage greater community engagement