How To Write a Police Officer Resume
The first step in getting your dream job as a police officer after graduating from the academy is to craft a detailed resume. It needs to show how your training and experience, such as enforcing the law, handling K-9s, and resolving conflict, prepared you for the role. Learn how to write a police officer resume, and find examples you can follow below.
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
Start your resume with a short profile paragraph describing your experience as an officer. This will vary depending on your job history. But you can include things like how many years you’ve been in law enforcement, what divisions you’ve worked in, and whether you have any special skills, such as foreign language fluency or experience as a K-9 handler. The goal here is to show you meet the basic requirements for the job and gain the hiring manager’s interest so they read further.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Dedicated police officer and lieutenant with nearly 10 years’ experience working with K-9 partners to detect narcotics and explosives, apprehend suspects, and enforce state and federal laws.
Entry-Level Profile Example
Dedicated police officer with over two 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.
2. Add a detailed professional experience section
For each past law enforcement job, list your daily activities and any larger duties, such as scheduling or overseeing patrol operations. You can also include specific achievements or performance metrics, such as the number of incident-free arrests. If you’re not sure which aspects to highlight, refer back to the job posting to get a better idea of what is expected in the new role and focus on any relevant experience.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
K-9 Unit Lieutenant
Police Department – City of Coos Bay, Coos Bay, OR | August 2017- 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
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Police Officer
City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA | July 2020 – 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
3. Include relevant education and certifications
A background in criminal justice and advanced credentials can boost your candidacy, and some higher rankings may require a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Your resume should include not just your degree(s) but any relevant certificates or training you’ve done, such as hostage negotiation or Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT).
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Year]
Example:
Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Central Oregon Community College, Bend, OR – 2020
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Completion Year]
Example:
Crime Scene Technician, 2022
4. List key skills and proficiencies
Police officers must be observant, collaborative, physically fit, and able to take charge in difficult situations. Add a section to your resume highlighting these skills so the hiring manager quickly sees you’re a strong candidate. Below we’ve compiled a list of common key skills for police officers so you can get started:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Armed security | Community engagement |
| Community service and education | Conflict de-escalation and resolution |
| Constitutional policing | Crime scene management |
| Criminal investigations | Defensive tactics |
| Efficiency improvement | Evidence collection |
| Firearm safety and operation | First aid |
| Forcible arrests | Highway emergency response |
| Interagency collaboration | Law enforcement procedures |
| Patrol vehicle operation | Public safety and security |
| Rapid problem-solving | Reporting and documentation |
| Team leadership and motivation | Victim and suspect interviewing |
How To Pick the Best Police Officer Resume Template
If you decide to start with a template instead of writing your resume from scratch, choose carefully. A police officer resume should be straightforward, with clearly organized sections and headers. The hiring manager should be able to skim it quickly without reading long blocks of text. Above all, your resume should look professional and make a positive impression. Use a traditional resume font and a conservative color scheme.
Police Officer Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Carla Romero
(882) 442-3458
[email protected]
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
[email protected]
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
[email protected]
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
Frequently Asked Questions: Police Officer Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for police officer resumes?+
Strong action verbs can set you apart from other applicants and help a hiring manager picture you in the role. If you’re not sure which to choose, check out this list of common action verbs for police officer resumes:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Adapt | Adhere |
| Analyze | Apprehend |
| Collect | Conduct |
| De-escalate | Detain |
| Educate | Engage |
| Interview | Investigate |
| Liaise | Maintain |
| Observe | Resolve |
| Respond | Surveil |
How do you align your resume with a job posting?+
The occupational outlook for law enforcement positions is expected to be slower than average through 2031, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means there are likely fewer job openings – and more applicants per posting. Increase the chances of your resume reaching the top of the pile by aligning it to each position. Use keywords and phrases from the job posting in your resume, and prominently display any must-have credentials.
What is the best police officer resume format?+
In nearly all cases, use a combination (or hybrid) resume because it’s easiest for hiring managers to learn about your pertinent skills and experience – it’s also best for you to align with your job goals.
With the Combination format, you highlight your most relevant skills and experience in your Experience or Work History section and an intro section. (This combination of work history and intro content is where the format gets its name.) Your resume intro should usually include a Profile summary and Key Skills section, but you may also add a Career Highlights or Awards section. By carefully choosing the details for these intro sections, you can position yourself for your target job and give hiring managers a clear, quick view of what you offer.
Expert advice: include a cover letter with your resume
Writing a cover letter to include with your resume is an extra step, but it’s well worth the effort. A cover letter puts your resume in context by letting you elaborate on your top points and tell the hiring manager why you want the job. But it’s still a good idea to keep a police officer cover letter short and easy to skim, so don’t let yours be more than a page long.
