Ensure your CV format is structured to best highlight your unique experience and life situation.
Copy-and-Paste Police Officer CV Template
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Experienced and dedicated police officer with 6 years of service in Durham Constabulary, progressing from police community support officer to police sergeant. Proven expertise in criminal investigations, emergency response, conflict resolution, and community policing, ensuring public safety and law enforcement effectiveness. Strong leadership and decision-making skills, managing high-pressure incidents and mentoring junior officers. Committed to upholding the law with integrity, professionalism, and public engagement, fostering safer communities through proactive crime prevention strategies.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Sergeant
Durham Constabulary | September 20XX–Present
- Supervise a team of 13 police constables and response officers, ensuring effective law enforcement and public safety operations
- Lead criminal investigations, overseeing evidence gathering, interviews, and case preparation for prosecution
- Manage high-risk incidents, including armed confrontations and major disturbances, ensuring swift decision-making under pressure
- Train and mentor 13 junior officers in conflict resolution, de-escalation techniques, and emergency response
- Collaborate with local councils and community leaders to implement crime prevention strategies
Police Constable
Durham Constabulary | June 20XX–August 20XX
- Responded to 117 emergency incidents and 999 calls, handling domestic disturbances, thefts, and violent crimes
- Conducted arrests and interviews in compliance with criminal law and PACE regulations
- Assisted in 33 public order and crowd control operations, including protests, large-scale events, and football matches
- Conducted 55 stop and search operations, gathering intelligence to support crime reduction efforts
- Trained in advanced pursuit driving, safely engaging in vehicle chases and tactical stops
Police Community Support Officer
Durham Constabulary | December 20XX–June 20XX
- Provided high-visibility patrols, engaging with local communities to build trust and address concerns
- Delivered crime prevention education programmes in schools and community centres
- Assisted officers in crime scene management, securing evidence and supporting investigations
- Monitored and reported anti-social behaviour, working with local authorities to implement preventative measures
- Acted as a first responder in low-level crime incidents, escalating cases to police officers when necessary
EDUCATION
20XX–20XX
University of Leeds
BA Criminal Justice
20XX
College of Policing
Qualified Sergeant Training
20XX
St John Ambulance
Emergency First Aid at Work Certification
20XX
Durham Constabulary
Advanced Police Driving Certification
KEY SKILLS
- Criminal law enforcement (PACE, CPS guidelines)
- Investigation and evidence gathering
- Conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques
- Public order and crowd control (Use of Force Policy)
- Report writing and case documentation
- Surveillance and intelligence gathering
- Emergency response and first aid (First Responder Certification)
- Advanced police driving and pursuit techniques
- Community policing and public engagement
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
- Fitness and self-defence: Regularly train in martial arts and self-defence to maintain peak physical fitness
- Volunteering and community outreach: Support youth engagement programmes and crime prevention initiatives
- Public speaking and mentorship: Deliver talks on crime awareness and law enforcement careers to students and local groups
How to write a police officer CV
Below we look at how to successfully write a policing CV:
1. Tailor your CV to the role
Clearly tailor your CV to the law enforcement position you’re after, incorporating key terms mentioned in the job advert such as criminal investigations, emergency response, conflict resolution, and public safety operations.
Adding these industry-specific keywords will help align your CV with police job descriptions and increase its chances of passing applicant tracking systems (ATS), software that constabularies use to process applications.
Additionally, using such keywords demonstrates a strong understanding of policing duties.
Rather than generic descriptions like ‘Responsible for patroling Darlington town centre’, include specific tasks such as supervising response officers, managing high-risk incidents, and collaborating with local councils, all of which highlight direct law enforcement work experience.
2. Highlight your hard skills
Include a dedicated key skills section to showcase essential technical skills. Key policing skills, such as criminal law enforcement (PACE, CPS guidelines), investigation and evidence gathering, public order and crowd control, and advanced police driving, immediately communicate professional competencies to police force recruiters.
Furthermore, integrate your hard skills throughout your work experience section, with specific examples demonstrating their practical application to show recruiting managers that you’ve used these hard skills throughout your policing career.
For instance, the mention of stop and search operations, evidence gathering, and arrest procedures highlights expertise in police investigations and procedures.
3. Demonstrate your career progression
Clearly demonstrating your career progression shows senior police officers that you can grow into new roles.
For example, the CV sample above effectively outlines the individual’s advancement within their local constabulary, moving from Police and Community Support Officer (PCSO) to Police Constable and ultimately achieving the rank of Sergeant.
Each role is presented with increasing levels of responsibility, from community engagement and crime prevention as a PCSO to handling emergency incidents and leading investigations as a constable.
Finally, the sergeant position showcases leadership, with responsibilities such as supervising a team of 13 officers, managing high-risk incidents, and mentoring junior staff. This progression highlights leadership skills and the ability to take on more complex responsibilities.
4. Use metrics and quantifiable results
Use quantifiable data (in other words, numbers and statistics) to strengthen the achievements on your CV. Instead of vague descriptions, try to provide specific figures to illustrate your workload and impact as a police officer, such as:
- Responded to 117 emergency incidents and 999 calls, handling domestic disturbances, thefts, and violent crimes.
- Assisted in 33 public order and crowd control operations, including protests, large-scale events, and football matches.
- Conducted 55 stop and search operations, gathering intelligence to support crime reduction efforts.
These statistics make your CV more compelling by providing concrete evidence of your contributions to law enforcement efforts.
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