Crafting the perfect law enforcement cover letter may seem intimidating at first. But once you've finished reading this comprehensive guide, you'll find the writing process much more straightforward. So, dig in and discover all the best cover letter templates, real-life samples, detailed examples, and writing tips that actually work.
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In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about writing a law enforcement cover letter. Continue reading to learn how to:
- Craft a highly professional header and headline
- Tailor your law enforcement cover letter for a specific jurisdiction
- Write an introduction that clearly conveys why you are a great fit
- Showcase your top skills and accomplishments in law enforcement
- Conclude your law enforcement cover letter effectively
- Access top resources for job-seeking law enforcement officers
Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.
1. Craft a highly professional law enforcement cover letter header and headline
When writing a law enforcement cover letter, your first focus should be to include all the correct information about who you are and how to contact you in an appealing format.
This is known as your header, which is commonly found at the top left of the page.
Your header is essential for introducing you quickly to the employer and should include:
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information
- The name employer’s office or institution
- The address of the employer
Here is an example of a well-formatted law enforcement header
Megan Smith, Certified Police Dispatcher
(123) 456-7890 | megsmith@email.com | linkedin.com/in/meg-smith
To: Redding Police Department
777 Cypress Ave.
Redding, CA 96001
Having completed your header with all the necessary and accurate information, you can then move on to crafting your cover letter headline.
A headline is useful for many reasons, the most important of which is that it helps immediately grab the employer’s attention, making you stand out from other applicants.
To write a header, you should always include:
- A keyword related to the position
- A number or trigger word
- A powerful adjective or verb
- A promise statement that tells the employer the letter is for them and only them
Here is an example of a strong headline from a law enforcement cover letter
My 4 Essential Skills as a Dispatcher & How They Can Improve Your Department’s Response Rates
Trigger Word/Number: 4 Essential Skills
Keyword: Dispatcher
Adjective/Verb: Improve
Promise: Your Department’s Response Rates
Some applicants prefer to write their headlines after completing the body text of their cover letter. This allows you to identify the main point or idea of the text and highlight it more accurately.
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2. Tailor your law enforcement cover letter for a specific jurisdiction
Whether you're applying for a position as a police officer, an administrative professional, a dispatcher, or any other role in law enforcement, you should always tailor your cover letter for the specific department and jurisdiction you're applying to.
Hiring departments want to see that you not only have the technical skills needed but that you also have a deep understanding and commitment to the community.
As part of this tailoring process, you need to create a personalized greeting — a type of greeting that addresses the specific person who reviews applications by name.
Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings for a law enforcement cover letter
- To Recruiting Officer John Doe,
- Dear Mr. John Doe,
- Dear Assistant Chief John Doe,
3. Write a compelling law enforcement cover letter introduction
With your personalized greeting in place, you have hooked the employer’s attention. Now, you must keep them interested with a clear and concise introduction that highlights why you're the perfect applicant for the open position.
In a law enforcement cover letter introduction, you should include:
- A brief overview of your professional history and goals
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this specific department
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible) — mutual acquaintances build respect, rapport, and trust.
Here is an example to help demonstrate how to write a law enforcement cover letter introduction
To Recruiting Officer John Doe,
I am a professional dispatcher with 5+ years of experience working in a fast-paced urban community with a diverse range of emergencies and callers. My long-term career goal has always been to return to my hometown community to help support the local law enforcement team and create a safer town for all citizens. My professional mentor, Mr. Leonard Paul, is a retired officer of your department and can speak to my qualifications that make me perfect for this role.
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4. Showcase your top skills and accomplishments in law enforcement
While your introduction does a lot of heavy lifting in terms of establishing your key qualifications and hooking the employer’s attention, the work is far from done.
Next, you must showcase your top skills and accomplishments as a law enforcement professional in the body paragraphs of your cover letter. As you describe your qualifications, make sure to include details that are highly relevant to the employer’s stated wants and needs.
Here are 6 law enforcement skills to describe in a cover letter
- Active Listening
- Weapon Safety
- De-Escalation Tactics
- CPR and First Aid
- Physical Stamina
- Leadership and Teamwork
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a law enforcement cover letter:
As a dispatcher at my former department, I achieved a high level of success at quickly communicating with callers, averaging a response rate of less than 10 seconds. Furthermore, callers in my previous jurisdiction expressed great satisfaction with my service, earning me a county-wide rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
5. Conclude your law enforcement cover letter effectively
The last step you must take to finish off your law enforcement cover letter is to write an effective conclusion. In this conclusion, it's important to let the employer know that you're awaiting a response, as this helps to add a sense of urgency and compels them to respond quickly.
A law enforcement cover letter conclusion should include:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- An additional sentence stating you will follow up, including how you will contact them or how they can contact you
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of an effective conclusion from a law enforcement cover letter
It would be to my utmost delight to serve in your county’s police department. I am eagerly awaiting your response and am available to speak in person or over the phone Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The best way to reach me during these hours is at (123) 456-7890 or after-hours at megsmith@email.com
Sincerely,
[Applicant Name]
If you have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume, this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two.
6. Top resources for job-seeking law enforcement officers
Now that you know how to pen a top-notch law enforcement cover letter, it's time to roll up your sleeves and start looking for a suitable work opportunity. If you're unsure of where to start with your search, feel free to draw inspiration from our list:
- Industry-specific job boards: You can kick off your job hunt by visiting websites like Law Enforcement Jobs, The Blue Line, Discover Policing, or Police Oracle Jobs that aggregate job postings pertaining to your chosen profession.
- General job searching platforms: Another way to discover potential employers is to use websites with broader focus such as Indeed, Glassdoor, SimplyHired, or ZipRecruiter.
- International organizations: If you're interested in working in an international setting, we recommend checking out websites like the EuroPol, the Interpol, or the UNODC.
- Professional association: Exploring websites of associations like the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the European Police Association (EPA), or the International Police Association (IPA) to discover job postings, networking opportunities, further training, and the latest law enforcement news.
- Local government websites: Many local government portals have career sections where you can find openings within your local police departments.
- Continuous learning: To keep on improving and growing professionally, you need to take on new challenges. For example, platforms like the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA), PoliceOne, Coursera, or edX.
The process of finding the right opportunity, and actually landing the job, can sometimes take months. To succeed over the competition, you need to arm yourself with patience, persistence, and a solid cover letter that communicates all our best skills and experience in an engaging way. Good luck!
Law Enforcement Cover Letter FAQ
How long should a law enforcement cover letter be?
Brevity is your friend! Your cover letter shouldn’t exceed one page. Anything longer might discourage the recruiters from ever reading it. So, stick to around 3-4 body paragraphs, plus introductory and closing paragraphs (as outlined in our guide). And remember, it's quality over quantity.
What are some common mistakes to avoid in a law enforcement cover letter?
By far the worst mistake you can make is NOT customizing your cover letter to align with the requirements listed in the job posting. Also, make sure you focus your cover letter on what you can do for the employers, instead of writing about what the job can do for you. And, of course, proofread your cover letter before hitting send to catch any typos, grammar mistakes, or misspellings that might've crept in.
What's the best way to showcase my skills in a law enforcement cover letter?
The golden rule is — show, don't tell. We suggest you use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to demonstrate not only what skills you have, but also that you are capable of utilizing them effectively in your everyday professional life. For example, don't just say that you're a “good communicator.” Instead, say that: "During a high-stress standoff, I successfully negotiated with an armed suspect by calmly communicating law enforcement's intentions, leading to a peaceful surrender without any injuries.”
Should I include every skill and experience in my law enforcement cover letter?
Not necessarily. For once, you don't have that kind of space at your disposal (one page only!). And, your cover letter should be just the extraction of your most impressive skills and accomplishments, not your whole resume retold. Focus on the key needs the employer has and select a few standout skills and experiences that prove that you've got what it takes to fulfill them.
How can I convey my passion for law enforcement in my cover letter?
Simply state it! And don't be afraid to get a little personal here. Explain why you are drawn to the profession and how it aligns with your personal values. For example, you might say, "My passion for maintaining community safety has driven my successful 5-year career in law enforcement." That's it.
