The Best Law Enforcement Cover Letter Example

Getting a job in law enforcement requires training and a broad skillset. To land a role, you’ll need to showcase your skills with a well-crafted cover letter.

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Law Enforcement Cover Letter Example

A police officer, also known as a law enforcement officer, is first and foremost responsible for maintaining public safety. They ensure civilians obey laws, respond to emergencies, make arrests and investigate crimes. It is a tough, physically and mentally demanding role that requires a diverse skill set.

To land a role in law enforcement, you need to establish to the recruiter that you can fulfill the role’s demands through a combination of skills and experience.

This guide will show you:

Why the cover letter is essential to the law enforcement application process
An effective law enforcement cover letter example
Writing tips on how to write the perfect cover letter to accompany your law enforcement resume

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Great Law Enforcement Cover Letter Example

Knowing where to begin with your law enforcement cover letter can be a challenge. It is best to look at a few examples before you start your cover letter, or you can use a cover letter builder. Here’s one law enforcement cover letter sample to get ideas for your cover letter:

Dear Mr. Smith,

I’m applying to serve as a police officer with the [City Name] Police Department. I have a deep connection with the people in the area through my longstanding volunteer work. I am committed to helping community members in need. With over 5 years of experience as a security guard, I have caught and helped prosecute 57 shoplifters. I believe I have the transferable skills necessary to serve my community as a police officer.

As part of my previous role as a security guard at [company name], I ensured that safety procedures were followed meticulously. I worked efficiently with my team to protect the safety of patrons at all times. I am proud to say as leader of the team, I prevented any threats with minimal impact and oversaw an incident-free 2-year period. The demands of the job demonstrate that I am physically fit, used to working various shift patterns, adept at de-escalating situations and maintaining a calm head in high-pressure situations.

I am eager to prove my ability and serve my community as a police officer. Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. Please find attached my professional resume for a more in-depth account of my work history and achievements. I look forward to discussing this opportunity further with you.

Best regards,

Your name

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Cover Letter Tips Using This Example

Here are five tips to bear in mind when writing your cover letter:

1. Include your contact information

You must share your contact information so the hiring manager or recruiter can easily reach you. You should make this immediately visible in the header. Include your full name, address, email, phone number and any links to job networking profiles like LinkedIn.

2. Always customize your resume

An effective cover letter uses the job description or job posting for the right wording of skills and experience. Search the job description for specific keywords to see what your potential employer is looking for, then ensure you incorporate this into your professional cover letter. While you may think you know what a police officer’s job entails, the specific job descriptions for different departments vary. During your job search, be aware of the requirements, then customize your job application so the recruiter can see you are suitable for the role.

3. Start Strong

Get straight to the point by highlighting your strengths in the first paragraph. This should hook the reader and immediately frame you as a viable candidate. Concentrate on what you think most highlights your strengths as a candidate.

4. Explain why you’re suitable

Build on your intro in the second paragraph by expanding on some details that show you can perform the responsibilities of a law enforcement officer. Refer to skills you have or previous relevant experience to establish your credibility. You may know the criminal justice system or you may have already completed police academy training. This will depend on your situation as a candidate. In the police officer cover letter example above, the applicant refers to their experience as a security guard.

5. Sign off with a call to action

Finish your cover letter by thanking the recruiter for their time. Then, point them toward your resume for further reading. Finally, you should encourage them to take the next step by including a call to action indicating you are looking forward to a phone call to arrange an interview.

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FAQ: Law Enforcement Cover Letter Example

Q: Do I need a cover letter?

Yes. You should always write a cover letter as no job application is complete without it. You need to invest your time in creating a resume that serves as a career overview. Use a resume builder and resume examples to help you. Then, you can add a personal touch with a professional cover letter. This lets you build a picture of yourself as an individual for the hiring manager.

Q: How long should my cover letter be?

Your cover letter should be less than one page. The optimum length is around three-quarters of a page. This lets you share enough details to expand on your resume without giving the recruiter too much to read.

Q: What if I don’t have much experience in law enforcement?

You don’t have to have experience related to law enforcement to become a police officer or law enforcement officer. They offer on-the-job training to help you get certifications. If you don’t have related experience, simply substitute references to work history with references to skills in your police officer resume that will help you in the role.

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