Government & Public Sector Resume Examples

Police Officer Resume Example & Writing Guide

Create a professional police officer resume. Includes law enforcement examples, academy training details, and tips for showcasing community policing skills.

ATS-Optimized Expert-Written Updated 2026

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Police Officer Resume Example

Here's a professional police officer resume example that you can use as a reference. This example highlights the key sections and content that hiring managers look for.

Alex Johnson

Police Officer

New York, NY | alex.johnson@email.com | (555) 123-4567 | linkedin.com/in/alexjohnson

Professional Summary

Dedicated Police Officer with 6+ years of experience in patrol operations, criminal investigations, and community policing. Graduate of a state-certified police academy with expertise in de-escalation, traffic enforcement, and report writing. Recipient of 3 departmental commendations for exceptional service and crime prevention.

Work Experience

Senior Police Officer

2022 – Present

ABC Corporation, New York, NY

•Patrolled a 15-square-mile zone responding to 10+ calls for service per shift with zero excessive force complaints
•Investigated 200+ criminal cases with a 75% clearance rate, 20% above department average
•Reduced property crime in assigned sector by 30% through targeted patrol strategies and community engagement

Police Officer

2019 – 2022

XYZ Company, Chicago, IL

•Conducted 500+ traffic stops and field interviews, resulting in 50+ felony arrests and seizure of illegal firearms
•Led community policing initiatives including 25+ neighborhood meetings and school outreach programs annually

Skills

Patrol Operations • Criminal Investigation • De-Escalation Techniques • Report Writing • Community Policing • Traffic Enforcement • Evidence Collection • Firearms Proficiency • Emergency Response • Crisis Intervention • Search & Seizure Law • Witness Interviewing • Surveillance • Physical Fitness • First Aid/CPR

Education

Police Academy Graduate (state-certified)

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Associate Degree in Law Enforcement

Use This Template in Resume Builder

Police Officer Resume Summary Examples

Your resume summary is the first thing hiring managers read. Here's a strong example for apolice officer with 6+ years of experience:

Good Example

“Dedicated Police Officer with 6+ years of experience in patrol operations, criminal investigations, and community policing. Graduate of a state-certified police academy with expertise in de-escalation, traffic enforcement, and report writing. Recipient of 3 departmental commendations for exceptional service and crime prevention.”

Avoid This

“Hardworking police officer looking for a challenging position where I can utilize my skills and experience. I am a team player with excellent communication skills.”

Why the first example works: It includes specific years of experience, quantified achievements, technical skills, and certifications — all things ATS systems and hiring managers look for.

Work Experience Bullet Points

Here are powerful, metrics-driven bullet points for a police officer resume. Notice how each one starts with an action verb and includes specific numbers:

Patrolled a 15-square-mile zone responding to 10+ calls for service per shift with zero excessive force complaints
Investigated 200+ criminal cases with a 75% clearance rate, 20% above department average
Reduced property crime in assigned sector by 30% through targeted patrol strategies and community engagement
Conducted 500+ traffic stops and field interviews, resulting in 50+ felony arrests and seizure of illegal firearms
Led community policing initiatives including 25+ neighborhood meetings and school outreach programs annually

Pro Tip: Use the formula: Action Verb + Task + Quantified Result. For example: “Managed” + “team of 12 engineers” + “delivering project 20% under budget.”

Key Skills for a Police Officer Resume

Include these skills on your police officer resume to pass ATS screening and impress hiring managers:

Patrol Operations

Criminal Investigation

De-Escalation Techniques

Report Writing

Community Policing

Traffic Enforcement

Evidence Collection

Firearms Proficiency

Emergency Response

Crisis Intervention

Search & Seizure Law

Witness Interviewing

Surveillance

Physical Fitness

First Aid/CPR

ATS Keywords for Police Officer Resume

These are the most important keywords that Applicant Tracking Systems scan for in police officer resumes. Include them naturally throughout your resume:

police officerlaw enforcementpatrolcriminal investigationcommunity policingde-escalationreport writingtraffic enforcementPOST certifiedcrisis interventionevidence collectionarrestemergency response

Important: Don't stuff keywords. Use them naturally in your summary, experience, and skills sections. ATS systems can detect keyword stuffing and may flag your resume.

Education & Certifications

Education

Police Academy Graduate (state-certified)
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Associate Degree in Law Enforcement

Certifications

POST/State Police Certification
Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)
Advanced Traffic Accident Investigation
TASER/Less-Lethal Certification
First Aid/CPR/AED

Expert Tips for Your Police Officer Resume

Include POST/state certification and academy graduation

Quantify calls responded to, cases investigated, and clearance rates

Show community policing and de-escalation training

Highlight commendations and awards received

Include specialized training (SWAT, K-9, investigations, narcotics)

Police Officer Salary & Job Outlook

Entry Level

$40K

Median Salary

$66K

Experienced

$90K

Job Outlook

3% growth (2022-2032), about as fast as average

Source: BLS 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a police officer put on a resume?

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Include POST certification, calls responded to, case clearance rates, specialized training, commendations, and community policing experience.

Do police officers need a college degree on their resume?

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Many departments prefer or require a degree (criminal justice, public administration). Even if not required, a degree helps with promotions and detective assignments.