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10 Rules for Police Resumes

The hiring process used by law enforcement governmental entities differs quite a bit from the private sector.  That divergence in process includes quantity and type of resumes.  As a long-time criminal justice educator and former police chief, I have long counseled aspiring badge bearers on preparing their employment application packets in a bid to grab their coveted law enforcement agency slot.

Almost all governmental entities use an internally standardized application.  These applications are designed with an eye towards public records and personnel hiring laws applicable in the jurisdiction, information that the police chief or sheriff is specifically wanting to ferret out, and materials to aid in the background investigation. 

Increasingly, however, agencies are also asking for resumes.  It is imperative you keep in mind these ten rules that are paramount to the agencies that will be reviewing your application.