how to write a personal statement for police

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Police Application Personal Statement Example & Tips

Table of Contents

A job as a police officer is one of the world’s most demanding and rewarding jobs. This guide offers a good police application personal statement example to teach you how to structure your statement.

A personal statement example shows an employer that you have the skills to work in law enforcement. Read on to see how to structure a good police personal statement and learn from an example.

Personal Statement for a Police Application

Many people aspire to a law enforcement career and envision themselves as police officers. You merely need a high school diploma or equivalent, such as the General Educational Development (GED), to qualify.

To begin your career as a police officer, you must first be accepted into and graduate from a police academy. But there’s more to it than just filling out an application.

A solid education, application requirements, and a battery of exams are needed to qualify and progress in your area. If you have professional expertise, cover letters and personal statements can assist you in getting into the police academy and networking with law enforcement.

How to Write a Captivating Personal Statement for a Police Application

Creating a cover letter can sound needlessly complicated as if you’re trying to customize your application for each job opportunity. Consequently, you may compose a personal statement.

Your history, values, and hobbies should be in a personal statement. Explain in your statement why you want to become a police officer and how attending the academy would help you achieve this goal.

Some guidelines for crafting an engaging personal statement are provided below.

• Get your thoughts down on paper.
• Take your time composing your essay.
• Take care to pick and use the correct phrases.
• Utilize your strengths as a writer to guide your work.
• Begin with a solid introduction.
• Do not make up anything; stick to the truth.
• Check your statement for typos.

Police Application Personal Statement Example

The personal statement for a police application is meant to show how valuable a resource the applicant can be for the police force. Here’s an excellent example from INK .

As a law enforcement professional with years of experience, my devotion to public service and justice will be helpful as an officer. I’m proud of my local community’s impact in avoiding crime through education, awareness, and support.

I take great pride in communicating effectively with a wide array of individuals. From teaching kids to avoid danger to defusing heated disputes, I’ve seen how important it is for officers to be proactive and convincing.

My aptitude for problem-solving, resourcefulness, and persistence make me an ideal candidate for this position. I have consistently exemplified ethical conduct throughout my career by making prudent decisions to uphold justice and respect people’s rights. In addition, I have earned repute among colleagues due to my punctuality in attending to details and completing tasks promptly and accurately.

In conclusion, my professional experiences have prepared me for the demands of police work, and I look forward to serving my community.

The police application personal statement example above is a very stunning example of a well-written personal statement for a police application. Write with passion in your application and reassure the reader that you have the specific skills they need.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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How to Complete Your Personal History Statement.

What is a Personal History Statement?

If you want to become a police officer in the United States, you must complete a personal history statement .

As the name suggests, a personal history statement documents your life up to this point – both your life and your past . It seeks to identify the kind of person you are, and whether you are qualified and able to work as a competent law enforcement officer.

Completing the personal history statement properly is important. Any omission of detail, for instance, will be marked down. Omitting important details will be considered deceptive behavior and may result in your exclusion from the police application process.

When do I have to complete the statement?

It depends.

Each police department has their own guidelines. Some departments ask you to fill out the personal history statement at the end of your police officer exam. Other departments ask you to fill out the form at home and send the completed document, through mail or email, to the department.

Contact your local police department to learn more about the protocol that impacts your application.

What information is requested on the statement?

Again, this varies by department.

Typically, though, applicants are asked to provide most if not all the following information:

• Recent photograph
• Personal details : name, address, telephone numbers, and your driver’s license number
• Identification details : height, weight, eye and hair color, presence of scars or tattoos
• Any past involvement in crime or law enforcement
• Any past transgressions with driving, traffic, or tickets
• Details about your family
• Work history
• Military enlistment details
• Financial and credit history
• Organizational memberships
• Any significant awards or achievements
• Your signature

Though this is not an exhaustive list, it offers some perspective on the kind of information you may need to include in your police PHS.

Here is the personal history application by Houston Police Department . Take the time to review this document, as it is likely to be similar to the form you will be asked to complete.

Collect the Relevant Information

You may be asked to complete the PHS at short notice, so it’s important that applicants prepare in advance.

Take the time to collect relevant information. Based on the list above, this must at the very least include:

• Document every address you have ever stayed at . Include contact details of landlords, property managers, or neighbors, where appropriate.
• Gather employment history details . Include employer information, including contact details. Make a note of whether the employment was full-time or part-time or voluntary.
• Research any traffic violations you may have had . This includes speeding, failing to stop, or driving with expired licenses.
• Find references . Very often, departments restrict who is qualified as a legitimate reference. Teachers, parents, and employers may be disqualified. Instead, neighbors or friends may be deemed more impartial. Other stipulations may also be in place, such as the need to know the person for a certain number of years.

Learn whether your police department wants official documents or whether they are content with copied documents . It may involve a mix of both. If you are completing the PHS after your police exam, it’s important to collect these documents beforehand and keep them in a safe place.

Should I lie on my personal history statement?

Candidates should never lie on their personal history statement.

Personal history statements are a form of background investigation . If you are found to be untruthful about small details, then investigators can ask the legitimate question of whether you are lying about anything more serious. It also calls into question your judgment and trustworthiness . You will be considered too high risk, and the police department will be left with little choice but to terminate your application.

Investigators are more likely than not going to find out the truth. It is simply not worth the risk. Law enforcement officers are sworn to uphold the law and values of the state in which they operate. Lying compromises that fundamental purpose to begin with.

Stay honest. Investigators are more likely to “forgive and forget” if you can demonstrate that you learned from the mistake and are a more mature and better person because of it . That is a positive twist on any past transgression, and it is far better for your application than lying ever could be.

Last Minute Checks

Always conduct last minute checks.

Given the sheer volume of detail and documents needed, it’s all too easy to let something pass or go forgotten. Double and triple check whether the documents required are that which were requested, and that you have all relevant detail requested by the personal history statement.

Make it easier for investigators to work through your application by writing in a neat and legible manner. Try to be as accurate as possible when it comes to spelling and grammar , too. Double and triple check dates and names and phone numbers. Invest time in your application. Don’t complete the application in a rush, as this only increases the risk of including unnecessary and avoidable errors.

By taking these steps, your personal history statement will be complete and accurate and an honest representation of who you are. It’s now down to your police department to assess whether you are the kind of person they wish to see join their law enforcement ranks.

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Daniel Sullivan

Daniel joined Police Test Study Guide in 2019, and currently serves as a senior executive overseeing course product development. With over 20-years’ experience in law enforcement, Mr. Sullivan began his career in Philadelphia Police Department before advancing to the role of detective. He has more recently worked with police departments throughout the country in the development and preparation of law enforcement exams to ensure applicants meet the standards needed to meet today’s growing challenges.

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