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3 Police Officer Cover Letter Examples Built for 2024

• Police Officer Cover Letter
• Entry-Level Police Officer Cover Letter
• Experienced Police Officer Cover Letter
• Writing Your Police Officer Cover Letter

You’re vigilant and care deeply about the communities you serve. Any police department that brings you on board will be able to feel confident, knowing you’ll work hard to achieve the best outcomes from every situation. 

But is your cover letter ready to help get the best result during the hiring process by supplementing your police officer resume ?

Since many factors go into the law enforcement hiring process to ensure safe and reliable officers are chosen for duty, we can help with our police officer cover letter examples that can set you on the road to writing a great cover letter for success.

Or try our free cover letter generator to enhance your application, ensuring it aligns perfectly with the expectations of law enforcement agencies.

Police Officer Cover Letter Example

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123 Fictional Avenue Detroit, MI 48197 (123) 456-7890

August 15, 2023

Jayden Harris Detroit Police Department 123 Fictional Lane Detroit, MI 48197

Dear Mr. Harris:

An experience involving the Detroit Police responding to a break-in spurred my strong desire to serve and protect our community. It was transformational seeing law, science, and community service interlaced seamlessly. Now, I wish to channel my skills and passion, honed over seven years of forensic fieldwork, as a police officer at the Detroit Police Department and make a difference in our community’s safety and well-being.

In my role as a forensic specialist at Michigan State Police, I developed a meticulous eye for detail and a methodological approach to crime scene analysis. I was instrumental in solving 63 complex, stagnant cases, applying my skills to break ground and provide fresh insights. My forensic photographs and fingerprint analysis proved decisive, leading to a 27 percent increase in closed case rates during my first year of work.

Working closely with Detroit Crime Commission, I led an 18-officer task force in comprehensive crime scene investigations. Notably, our work on a high-profile home invasion case resulted in expeditious resolution within 63 days, a reduction of 32 percent compared to similar cases.

Adaptability, teamwork, and professionalism under pressure, combined with my investigative techniques, make me a strong candidate for this role within your department. I am excited to contribute to the Detroit Police Department and uphold its commitment to community engagement and public safety. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate the assets I can bring to your department.

Henrik Nilsson

Enclosures: Resume Application 2 letters of recommendation

Why this cover letter works

• Use specific successes complemented with statistics to draw more interest to your candidacy. But again, don’t say too much.

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Entry-Level Police Officer Cover Letter Example

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123 Fictional Avenue Denver, CO 81126 (123) 456-7890

Mia Miller University of Colorado Denver Police Department 123 Fictional Lane Denver, CO 81126

Dear Ms. Miller:

I first learned about the University of Colorado Denver Police Department when I attended a campus safety seminar at the Denver Crime Prevention Symposium. I was immediately drawn to your department’s commitment to fostering a safe and secure learning environment. With skills in evidence collection and preservation, traffic control, and accident investigation, I am excited to contribute to your esteemed team as an entry-level police officer.

During my internship at the Denver Police Department, I assisted experienced officers in managing crime scenes, collecting and preserving evidence, and handling various forensic tools to ensure zero contamination. This hands-on experience allowed me to put my academic knowledge into practice and score an 89% success rate in evidence analysis and suspect identification.

A volunteer program at the Denver Traffic Management Center reinforced my traffic control and accident investigation capability. I handled over 128 traffic situations and investigated approximately 38 vehicular accidents, spurring a 19% increase in the clearance rate for hit-and-run cases.

While pursuing a criminal justice program at the Community College of Denver, I participated in several mock drills simulating various emergency scenarios. These exercises helped me sharpen my decision-making skills and ability to remain calm under pressure, leading to a 93% success rate in executing emergency response plans during simulated exercises.

I am confident that my diverse skills, passion for serving the community, and dedication to public safety make me an exceptional candidate for the entry-level police officer position at the University of Colorado Denver Police Department. Thank you for considering my application, and I am eager to discuss my qualifications further.

Anastasia Orlov

• Of course, you haven’t been able to comprehensively demonstrate the required capabilities, but showing passion for law enforcement goes a long way here. Better yet, highlight relevant accomplishments, praises, or awards earned earlier.

Experienced Police Officer Cover Letter Example

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123 Fictional Avenue Milwaukee, MI 53215 (123) 456-7890

Samuel Schultz Aurora Health Care Security 123 Fictional Lane Milwaukee, MI 53215

Dear Mr. Schultz:

As a seasoned police officer, I thrive in the pulse-racing environment of law enforcement and the sense of fulfillment that comes from keeping communities safe. After honing my skills in firearms proficiency, defensive tactics, and emergency vehicle operation for the past eight years, I am exciteed to bring my experience to a dynamic and impactful organization like Aurora Health Care Security.

During my tenure with the Milwaukee Police Department, I was able to respond to and mitigate an average of 14 critical incidents per week, which was 27% higher than the department’s average. My proficiency in firearms allowed me to ensure personal safety while in field operations, with zero injuries to the public or me.

As a dedicated professional, defensive tactics and conflict management became my strength. During my service at the Wauwatosa Police Department, I led numerous conflict resolution workshops that improved team readiness and resulted in a 24% reduction in incident escalation rate over 18 months.

Being adept in emergency vehicle operations played a crucial role in reducing response times during crises. In my most recent role at West Allis Police Department, I expedited team response times by 17% for 911 calls and critical incidents, contributing significantly to community safety and trust.

I firmly believe that the primary role of a security professional at Aurora Health Care is to enhance the feeling of safety for others, and this conviction makes me an ideal candidate for the role of an experienced police officer at your esteemed organization.

• Rather than just listing your previous workplaces, narrate the skills and experiences obtained, including measurable achievements, without being fluffy.

Top Writing Tips for Your Police Officer Cover Letter

Related cover letter examples

• Customer Service
• Career Change
• Entry Level

While the ultimate goal is to protect and serve, police officers can hold many roles and responsibilities in that process. Therefore, it’s important to tailor your cover letter to the unique needs of each job you apply to. 

For instance, the requirements of a patrol officer will be different from a campus police officer. It would be essential for a campus officer to emphasize the campus culture and unarmed de-escalation skills, whereas the patrol officer may be more focused on emergency response driving and the needs of a specific city or town.  

Make an instant connection with the greeting and intro of your police officer cover letter

Just like connection and care are essential when working with local communities, it’s also a big part of landing a job as a police officer. 

The first step is addressing someone in specific. Ideally, try to find the name of the precinct’s hiring manager in the job description or online to make your cover letter feel personalized. 

Next, you want to connect with the community’s needs or the organization’s goals. For instance, if you were applying to be a campus officer, you could explain how you want to help ensure a safe and secure learning environment for all students in attendance. 

Take a look at the opener below and notice that it falls a bit short since it doesn’t connect to any specific mission or the needs of the police department. 

Lacking details here!

Dear Mr. Jeffries,

I’m pleased to be applying for the patrol officer position you have available. I believe my skills will be a great fit for your needs.

Instead, aim for an opener like the one below that shows the applicant’s passion for law enforcement while also citing key needs of the position, like firearm proficiency and defensive tactics. 

An opener optimized with impactful details! 

Dear Mr. Schultz,

Rigorous patrols, deciphering critical incidents, and ensuring safety have profoundly impacted me as a police officer. Scarce beats the pulse-racing environment of law enforcement and the sense of fulfillment that comes from keeping communities safe. After honing my skills in firearms proficiency, defensive tactics, and emergency vehicle operation in Milwaukee, WI, for the past eight years, I am enthralled to bring my experience to a dynamic and impactful organization like Aurora Health Care Security.

Show your impact with the body of your police officer cover letter

As an officer, the results you achieve on the job can impact lives and communities. Therefore, showcasing your qualifications and data about what you’ve achieved is essential in the body of your cover letter. 

You’re probably familiar with many metrics police precincts and law enforcement agencies use, like response times and incident de-escalation rates. Any metrics you can use that show how you positively impacted key aspects like those will help you stand out in this section. 

You can also list any educational successes that helped build your law enforcement skills, like conflict resolution workshops or emergency response drills. 

An excellent body paragraph showcasing success! 

Optimize the closing paragraph of your police officer cover letter 

Just like you want to ensure you achieve a sound resolution with every call you respond to, your police officer cover letter should come to a well-rounded closing and signoff that convinces hiring managers you’re right for the job. 

Ideally, your closing paragraph should relate back to the key details you emphasized in the cover letter and the organization’s mission. For instance, you could connect back to the importance of teamwork and safe de-escalation to achieve public safety and maintain community engagement. 

Lastly, end with a light call to action like “I’m eager to discuss my qualifications further,” which solidifies your interest, and say thank you for the hiring manager’s time. 

What you don’t want to do is have a closer that feels too generic, like the one below, that doesn’t relate back to any specific details about how the applicant’s skills are a match for the law enforcement team. 

The closer should make a better connection than this! 

With my well-versed skill set, I believe I would be a great addition to your law enforcement team. Thank you for considering my application. 

Tyler Ericson

Instead, aim for a closer like the one below that showcases a true passion for public safety that the University of Colorado Denver Police Department wants to achieve. 

A well-rounded closer reinforcing the applicant’s passion! 

I am confident that my diverse skill set, passion for serving the community, and dedication to public safety make me an exceptional candidate for the entry-level police officer position at the University of Colorado Denver Police Department. Thank you for considering my application, and I am eager to discuss my qualifications further.

Sincerely, 

While you may not have direct on-the-job experience , entry-level law enforcement candidates still have lots of information they can include. For instance, you could connect with the police department’s dedication to public safety and how your 98% overall grade on de-escalation exams at the police academy will help you achieve great results.  

Your cover letter should be one page in length, which is around 300-500 words. It should provide a concise overview of how your top skills , like weapons handling or the use of forensic tools, will help you succeed on the job. 

While you probably have a well-versed skill set of interpersonal and technical skills for every emergency response situation, listing all of your skills would make your cover letter too long and lose a hiring manager’s attention. Instead, focus on key skills like crime scene analysis or emergency response driving that are crucial for the role. 

10 Professional Police Officer Cover Letter Examples for 2024

Your police officer cover letter must immediately establish your understanding of the laws you'll be sworn to uphold. It should reflect your unwavering commitment to serve and protect the community. Demonstrate your ability to remain cool under pressure with specific examples from your experience. Your cover letter also needs to communicate your interpersonal skills, highlighting how you effectively interact with the public.

All cover letter examples in this guide

Entry-Level Police Officer

Experienced Police Officer

Retired Police Officer

Public Safety Officer

Law Enforcement

Federal Police Officer

NYPD Police Officer

Campus Police Officer

Auxiliary Police Officer

Written by Volen Vulkov

Cover Letter Guide

Police Officer Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Salutation

Cover Letter Introduction

Cover Letter Body

Cover Letter Closing

No Experience Police Officer Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

By Experience

Crafting a standout police officer cover letter can be a hurdle if you've already jumped into the job application process, only to realize a gripping cover letter is part of the checklist. It's your chance to highlight a crowning professional achievement, telling its story without echoing your resume. Striking a balance between formality and originality, while axing the clichés and keeping it to one page, can feel like a tightrope walk – but it's one you can master.

• Including all the must-have paragraphs in your structure for an excellent first impression;
• Learning how to write individual sections from industry-leading cover letter examples;
• Selecting the best accomplishment to tell an interesting and authority-building professional story;
• Introducing your profile with personality, while meeting industry standards.

And, if you want to save some time, drag and drop your police officer resume into Enhancv's AI, which will assess your profile and write your job-winning cover letter for you.

If the police officer isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:

• Police Officer resume guide and example
• Retired Police Officer cover letter example
• Security Dispatcher cover letter example
• Entry-Level Police Officer cover letter example
• Volunteer Firefighter cover letter example
• Wildland Firefighter cover letter example
• Public Safety Officer cover letter example
• Incident Manager cover letter example
• Investigator cover letter example
• Fraud Investigator cover letter example
• Firefighter cover letter example

Police Officer cover letter example

BENJAMIN GARCIA

Dallas, Texas

+1-(234)-555-1234

[email protected]

• Proven Track Record: The cover letter emphasizes the candidate's successful history of enhancing safety protocols and protecting assets, suggesting that the candidate is experienced and has a track record of measurable achievements.
• Quantifiable Achievements: Mentioning specific metrics, such as the 45% decrease in unauthorized entries and reduction of operational costs by 20%, provides concrete evidence of the candidate's effectiveness and efficiency in their previous role.
• Leadership and Team Management: The capacity to lead a team of 25 officers highlights the candidate's leadership skills and the ability to handle responsibility, which is crucial for a senior position in security management.
• Alignment with the Organization's Needs: The willingness to discuss how the candidate's experience and skills align with the organization's operational requirements suggests a tailored approach and an understanding of the company’s specific security challenges.

Standard formatting for your police officer cover letter

Structure your police officer cover letter, following industry-leading advice, to include:

• Header - with your name, the role you're applying for, the date, and contact details;
• Greeting - make sure it's personalized to the organization;
• Introduction paragraph - no more than two sentences;
• Body paragraph - answering why you're the best candidate for the role;
• Closing paragraph - ending with a promise or a call to action;
• Signature - now that's optional.

Set up your police officer cover letter for success with our templates that are all single-spaced and have a one-inch margin all around.

Use the same font for your police officer cover as the one in your resume (remember to select a modern, Applicant Tracker System or ATS favorites, like Raleway, Volkhov, or Chivo instead of the worn-out Times New Roman).

Speaking of the ATS, did you know that it doesn't scan or assess your cover letter? This document is solely for the recruiters.

Our builder allows you to export your police officer cover letter in the best format out there: that is, PDF (this format keeps your information intact).

The top sections on a police officer cover letter

• Header: This section should include the applicant's contact information, the date, and the recipient's details, ensuring a professional appearance and making it easy for the hiring manager to file and respond to the application.
• Introduction: The opening paragraph should immediately capture the hiring manager's attention by succinctly stating the police officer position being applied for and expressing the applicant’s passion and understanding of law enforcement responsibilities.
• Law Enforcement Experience and Skills: In this section, the applicant should highlight their relevant law enforcement experience, specialized training, and specific skills that directly align with the duties of a police officer, demonstrating credibility and preparedness for the role.
• Community Involvement and Values: The candidate should showcase any community service or volunteer work that reflects their commitment to public service and aligns with the values and community-oriented approach of contemporary policing.
• Closing and Call to Action: The final section should express gratitude for the opportunity to apply, reiterate the applicant's enthusiasm for contributing to the police department, and include a call to action, inviting the hiring manager to arrange an interview to discuss the candidate's qualifications further.

Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

• Integrity and Ethics: Police officers are entrusted with upholding the law and protecting the citizens they serve, making a strong moral character essential for the credibility and trustworthiness of the role.
• Conflict Resolution Skills: Officers routinely handle disputes and potentially volatile situations, requiring the ability to de-escalate conflicts and negotiate peaceful outcomes.
• Physical Fitness: The job can be physically demanding, necessitating strength, endurance, and agility for pursuits, arrests, and maintaining public safety.
• Communication Skills: Effective communication is crucial for reporting incidents, testifying in court, and engaging with the community to build rapport and gather information.
• Experience with Law Enforcement Techniques: Knowledge of proper procedures, legal guidelines, and tactical skills ensures the officer can perform duties effectively and within the bounds of the law.
• Commitment to Community Service: A dedication to serving and protecting the community demonstrates the officer’s understanding of the role’s civic responsibility and connection to the public.

What greeting should you use in your police officer cover letter salutation

A simple "Hello" or "Hey" just won't work.

With your police officer cover letter salutation , you set the tone of the whole communication.

You should thus address the hiring managers by using their first (or last name) in your greeting.

But how do you find out who's recruiting for the role?

The easiest way is to look up the role on LinkedIn or the corporate website.

Alternatively, you could also contact the organization via social media or email, for more information.

Unable to still obtain the recruiter's name?

Don't go down the "To whom it may concern path". Instead, start your cover letter with a "Dear HR team".

List of salutations you can use

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear [Department Name] Selection Committee,
• Dear Chief [Last Name],
• Dear Lieutenant [Last Name],
• Dear Sergeant [Last Name],
• Dear Captain [Last Name],

Your police officer cover letter intro: showing your interest in the role

On to the actual content of your police officer cover letter and the introductory paragraph .

The intro should be no more than two sentences long and presents you in the best light possible.

Use your police officer cover letter introduction to prove exactly what interests you in the role or organization. Is it the:

• Company culture;
• Growth opportunities;
• Projects and awards the team worked on/won in the past year;
• Specific technologies the department uses.

When writing your police officer cover letter intro, be precise and sound enthusiastic about the role.

Your introduction should hint to recruiters that you're excited about the opportunity and that you possess an array of soft skills, e.g. motivation, determination, work ethic, etc.

How to write an achievement-focused police officer cover letter body

We've got the intro and greeting covered. Now, comes the most definitive part of your police officer cover letter - the body .

In the next three to six paragraphs, you'd have to answer why should recruiters hire you.

What better way to do this than by storytelling?

And, no, you don't need a "Once upon a time" or "I started from the bottom and made it to the top" career-climbing format to tell a compelling narrative.

Instead, select up to three most relevant skills for the job and look back on your resume.

Find an achievement, that you're proud of, which has taught you these three job-crucial skills.

Quantify your accomplishment, using metrics, and be succinct in the way you describe it.

The ultimate aim would be to show recruiters how this particular success has built up your experience to become an invaluable candidate.

Time to wrap up your police officer cover letter

Writing the closing paragraph of your police officer cover letter is just as important as the salutation.

You have to make it personalized to the job advert and recruiter.

Experienced professionals advise candidates to end with a request or reminder for follow-up. Write that you're grateful for the opportunity, and, at the same time, hint that you're available for the next steps of the process.

Otherwise, you could also conclude your police officer cover letter by facing the future. How do you see yourself, as part of the team? In particular, how would you settle in your new role in the first six months to a year?

Addressing limited to no experience in the police officer cover letter

There's nothing to worry about if you lack professional experience .

Your police officer cover letter could bridge the gaps in your professional history by focusing on what matters most to recruiters, that's either:

• skills - focusing on transferable ones you've gained, thanks to your life experience (e.g. volunteering, certificates, etc.);
• achievements - select the most relevant and noteworthy one from your history (e.g. education, projects, etc.);
• motivation - describe how you envision your professional growth in the next up to five years, thanks to this opportunity.

Key takeaways

Turning your police officer cover letter into a success is all about staying authentic to yourself and relevant to the job:

• Be creative with your police officer cover letter introduction by stating something you enjoy about the company (that is genuine) or about your skill set (to get the recruiters' interested);
• Use single spacing and have a one-inch margin wrapping all around the content of your police officer cover letter;
• Select just one past achievement from your career or life to tell a story of how you've obtained job-crucial skills and how they'd be beneficial to the role;
• The finishing paragraph of your police officer cover letter doesn't necessarily have to be a signature but could be a promise of what you plan to achieve in the role;
• Instead of focusing on your lack of experience, spotlight your transferable skills, one relevant achievement, and career dreams.

Police Officer cover letter examples

Explore additional police officer cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

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