Whether you're a seasoned law enforcement professional looking for your next career opportunity or you're applying for your first police officer role after graduating from the academy, customizing your resume to fit the key details in the job description of the role you're applying for can improve your chances of being hired. Reading through professional resume samples from other police officers can also inspire you to craft your own successfully.In this article, we provide three tips to help you create an impressive police officer resume, share two examples you can use as reference and list several common skills and certifications that hiring managers look for when reviewing candidates. When you're ready to apply for police officer jobs, upload a resume or build an Indeed Resume to find openings near you.To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.
Tips for writing a police officer resume
Here are three tips to help you craft a polished police officer resume:
1. Include quantifiable achievements
Throughout your resume, try to quantify your achievements by including numbers and statistics when possible. For example, if you worked on an initiative that decreased crime rates in your designated patrol area, provide a percentage to include how much crime rates decreased. This can help hiring managers understand what type of impact you had on the communities you served, the department you worked for and the law enforcement officers you worked alongside.Read more:How To Quantify Resume Accomplishments (With Examples)
2. Use strong action verbs
Pair clear, concise language with strong action verbs to craft a compelling police officer resume. This can help you emphasize how important your previous job duties were in other departments. Underneath each job title you list, try to include three to five bullet points that describe your responsibilities and accomplishments. Start each bullet point with an action verb followed by the specific job duty and the impact it had.Read more:Why Action Verbs Are Important for Resumes (With Examples)
3. Proofread your resume
Before you apply for your next police officer job opportunity, take the time to proofread your resume and application materials carefully. This can help you ensure your documents are polished and error-free. You can also ask a trusted friend, family member or colleague to review your resume and provide their feedback.Read more:27 Proofreading Tips That Will Improve Your Resume