Police Officer Resume Templates and Examples (Downloadable)

  • Police Officer
  • Entry-Level Police Officer
  • Auxiliary Police Officer

Federal Police Officer Resume Example

Military Police Officer Resume Example

A good police officer resume showcases your skills, experience, and dedication to public safety. Whether you’re a new or experienced officer, your resume should highlight your law enforcement expertise, community engagement, and certifications. This guide provides tips and templates to help you create a standout resume that aligns with the job requirements.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Highlight quantifiable achievements – Use numbers to demonstrate your impact, such as crime reduction or case resolution rates.
  2. Showcase relevant skills and certifications – List key skills and certifications like Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) or Certified Law Enforcement Analyst (CLEA).
  3. Tailor your resume – Customize your resume for each job by aligning it with details in the job posting.

How To Write a Police Officer Resume

1. Share your contact information

Ensure your contact details are clear and professional. Include your name, phone number, email address, and location. You can also add a link to your LinkedIn profile.

Example

John Doe
[email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | Los Angeles, CA | LinkedIn URL

2. Write a compelling profile summarizing your police officer qualifications

Your professional summary should briefly highlight your experience and career achievements. Focus on your dedication to public safety, community engagement, and law enforcement expertise.

Example

Experienced police officer committed to community safety

Police officer with over six years of law enforcement experience, specializing in crime prevention, patrol procedures, and community outreach. Adept at conducting investigations, responding to emergencies, and fostering positive public relations.

3. Add an accomplishment-driven police officer experience section

View the experience section as a chance to give examples of your work and success as a police officer or in other law enforcement roles. For each position in your recent work history, brainstorm and jot down your duties and achievements on a separate document or sheet of paper. Then, choose the most relevant details to display as bullet points in this section of your resume.

Example

Police Sergeant, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles, CA | January 2018 to present

  • Supervised a team of 15 officers, maintaining high performance and adherence to policies
  • Developed a community policing program that reduced crime by 20% in the first year
  • Trained junior officers on investigative procedures, enhancing department efficiency

Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience

When possible, back up your accomplishments with relevant numbers. For example, specify how much crime rates decreased during your tenure or how many emergency calls you responded to.

Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume for each application

For each job posting you respond to, note any details given about the hiring department or organization. How do these areas compare to your own recent experience? By citing these similarities in your profile, you can make a stronger first impression on the hiring manager.

What if you don’t have experience?

If you’re just starting your career in law enforcement, focus on your relevant skills, training, or internships. Highlight any community service, military background, or volunteer work that displays leadership, teamwork, or a commitment to public safety.

Example

Criminal Justice Intern, Miami Police Department, Miami, FL | June 2017 to August 2017

  • Shadowed police officers during patrols, observing law enforcement procedures
  • Helped gather and document evidence for ongoing investigations
  • Engaged in community outreach initiatives, supporting crime prevention programs

4. Include relevant police officer education and certifications

List your education and any certifications that strengthen your qualifications for the role. Focus on degrees related to law enforcement or criminal justice and certifications such as POST or CLEA.

Education

Template:

[Degree Name], [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
[Relevant coursework or honors]

Example: 

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
University of California, Los Angeles, CA

Associate of Science in Law Enforcement
Miami Dade College, Miami, FL

Certifications

Template:

[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] | [Completion Year]

Example: 

  • Certified Law Enforcement Analyst (CLEA) – International Association of Crime Analysts
  • Certified Protection Professional (CPP) – ASIS International
  • Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) – Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

5. List chef-related skills and proficiencies

Include a mix of hard and soft skills you possess that are critical for a police officer.

Key Skills and Proficiencies
Community engagement Conflict resolution
Criminal investigation Crisis management
Emergency response Firearms safety
First aid and CPR Law enforcement procedures
Physical fitness and self-defense Report writing

Resume writer’s tip: use strong action verbs

Use action-oriented verbs to describe your duties and achievements in previous roles. Words like “Enforced,” “Investigated,” “Responded,” and “Supervised” demonstrate a proactive approach to your work.

How To Pick the Best Police Officer Resume Template

Choose a clean, professional template that emphasizes readability. Ensure that your resume is well-organized, with clear headings and consistent formatting to make a strong impression.

Police Officer Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

left
  • Police Officer
  • Entry-Level Police Officer
  • Auxiliary Police Officer
  • Federal Police Officer
  • Military Police Officer
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John Doe
[email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | City, State | LinkedIn URL

Experienced police officer committed to public safety and community engagement

Police officer with over six years of experience in law enforcement and community relations. Skilled at conducting patrols, investigating crimes, and fostering positive relationships within the community. Certified Law Enforcement Analyst and Protection Professional with a strong background in crisis management and conflict resolution.

Key Skills

  • Community policing
  • Criminal investigation
  • Crisis management
  • Law enforcement procedures
  • Physical fitness and self-defense

Professional Experience

Police Sergeant, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles, CA | January 2018 to present

  • Coordinate activities of a team of 15 police officers, ensuring effective law enforcement and adherence to department policies
  • Conduct regular training sessions for junior officers, enhancing their investigative skills and procedural knowledge
  • Developed and implemented a community policing initiative that helped decrease neighborhood crime rates by 20% in one year

Police Officer, Miami Police Department, Miami, FL | June 2015 to December 2017

  • Patrolled assigned areas, responded to emergency calls, and conducted investigations leading to numerous case resolutions
  • Engaged with the community through meetings and safety education programs, improving relations

Education

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
University of California, Los Angeles, CA

Associate of Science in Law Enforcement
Miami Dade College, Miami, FL

Certifications

  • Certified Law Enforcement Analyst (CLEA) – International Association of Crime Analysts
  • Certified Protection Professional (CPP) – ASIS International
  • Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) – Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

Why this police officer resume is strong:

This resume stands out with a clear structure and a concise summary that highlights six years of experience. The candidate emphasizes quantifiable achievements, such as a 20% decrease in crime rates, and lists relevant certifications and education.

Frequently Asked Questions: Police Officer Resume Examples and Advice

How do you align your resume with a police officer job posting?

Carefully read the job description and tailor your resume to include the specific skills and experiences the employer is seeking. Use keywords from the job posting and highlight relevant accomplishments that demonstrate your suitability for the role.

What is the best police officer resume format?

The combination or hybrid format merges a functional resume's profile section with a chronological resume's experience section. Most modern resumes (including the three on this page) follow this format because it gives hiring managers the clearest view of an applicant's strengths and work history.

Expert advice:

Include a cover letter with your resume

A well-crafted cover letter allows you to elaborate on your qualifications and express your passion for the role. Use it to provide context to your resume and explain why you’re the ideal candidate for the position.

Andrew Stoner

Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach

Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.

Written by professional resume writers and loved by hiring managers

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