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Peace officer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Logan Somers Ph.D.,

Logan Somers Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical peace officer skills. We ranked the top skills for peace officers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 26.5% of peace officer resumes contained patrol as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a peace officer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 peace officer skills for your resume and career

1. Patrol

Here's how peace officers use patrol:

Led process improvement committee for officers to communicate with senior leadership desired changes for patrol division.
Patrol Sergeant supervises patrol officers assigned to provide safety and security to The College of Technology.

2. Public Safety

Public safety can be defined as the well-being or protection of a community, citizen, or nation as a whole. There are 4 basic elements that come under public safety namely: national security, border policy, countering crime, and emergency management.

Here's how peace officers use public safety:

Performed various protective services, which included law enforcement, criminal activity investigation, and public safety.
Make emergency notifications to the Chief of Public Safety concerning operations and emergencies on campus as appropriate.

3. Motor Vehicle

A motor vehicle is a mode of transportation such as a car, truck or bus.

Here's how peace officers use motor vehicle:

Arrested perpetrator of criminal act or submitted traffic citation to violator of motor vehicle ordinance.
Responded to and investigated motor vehicle accidents.

4. Law Enforcement Agencies

Here's how peace officers use law enforcement agencies:

Ensured subordinates established and maintained open channels of communication with all law enforcement agencies involved in investigative procedures.
Worked with other law enforcement agencies in investigating, locating and arresting parole fugitives and associates.

5. Emergency Situations

Here's how peace officers use emergency situations:

Coordinated with police personnel investigation activities and during emergency situations.
Work with emergency personal to address emergency situations.

6. Incident Reports

An Incident Report, in a medical facility such as hospitals and nursing homes, is a type of paperwork filled out immediately after and in the case of an incident of some sort, with the goal of describing the incident and its consequences, as well as the measurements taken after or during the incident, as well as any other information relevant to said incident. Such an incident might be a patient acting out or a patient being injured.

Here's how peace officers use incident reports:

Reviewed incident reports from other officers for submission to supervisory staff.
Review incident reports and other safety reports prepared by subordinates.

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7. Police Academy

Here's how peace officers use police academy:

Graduated valedictorian of Victoria College Police Academy.
Recruit Training Officer: Trained over two dozen police recruit officers while assigned to the San Jose Police Academy.

8. CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR is a medical procedure that involves chest compression to help a patient breathe. This artificial ventilation helps in keeping the brain function in place and regulates blood throughout the body. CPR is a lifesaving procedure that is used in emergencies.

Here's how peace officers use cpr:

Assisted injured persons with First Aid and CPR as needed.
Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

9. State Laws

Here's how peace officers use state laws:

Audited departmental evidence storage to establish officer and departmental compliance with policies and procedures as well as relevant state laws.
Enforced New York City and State laws and issue summons within a private community.

10. Summonses

Here's how peace officers use summonses:

Performed arrests and issued summonses to individuals who did not adhere to the legalities of New York State.
Issued New York City C summonses for various violations of the penal code when necessary.

11. NYS

Here's how peace officers use nys:

Protected life and property at the largest regional aviation facility in NYS.
Assisted NYS Prosecutors in attempting to convict offenders with court room testimony.

12. Fire Guard

Here's how peace officers use fire guard:

Perform assigned fire Safety duties, this including acting Fire Guard during drills, emergencies and other building evacuations.

13. Alertness

Here's how peace officers use alertness:

Promoted alertness and precision from danger and enforced numerous laws and administrative regulations.
Maintain high level of alertness to ensure all DOI personnel and property remains secure.

14. NYC

NYC stands for New York City.

Here's how peace officers use nyc:

Enforce all Network Policies and NYC Laws.
Carry and use of handcuff restraints in the performance of their duties (NYC Administrative Code 10-147)

15. Responder

Here's how peace officers use responder:

Acted as first responder to alarms and calls for service from the college community.
Act as a First Responder to alarms and calls for service.

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What skills help Peace Officers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on peace officer resumes?

Logan Somers Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Georgia Southern University

Skills and experiences that stand out on Law Enforcement Officer resumes are not too dissimilar from desirable qualities in other industries. First, even though the vast majority of police departments do not have an education requirement beyond high school, most recruits entering the academy do have at least some college experience. Therefore, having an associate's or bachelor's degree will make you competitive. Further, policing in today's society requires officers to be elite communicators, critical thinkers, and problem-solvers. Any prior work experience that can be used to demonstrate how you performed those skills under pressure should be highlighted. Lastly, any prior community service and or mentoring should be included. Having these experiences displays your commitment to improving your community and bettering the lives of those around you.

What hard/technical skills are most important for peace officers?

Logan Somers Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Georgia Southern University

A significant portion of an officer's day can often be spent filling out paperwork. Every stop, citation, warrant, arrest, or use of force incident typically requires forms that need to be filled out and sent to supervisors for review. This makes the ability to write proficiently and provide a descriptive narrative of events crucial for day-to-day police work.

What peace officer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Latarcia Barnes PhD

Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology, Associate Professor

This question is difficult to answer because in federal law enforcement, there are different jobs a person can have. The underlying theme is to enforce the laws that the federal government has and to enforce the judgement of a federal judge.

What soft skills should all peace officers possess?

Amanda Graham Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Georgia Southern University

Verbal Communication - The ability to talk to/hold a conversation with a stranger is essential in the human enterprise of policing. It is one of the best tools and officer has with them to address any situation.

Ethical Decision-Making (Using Discretion Appropriately) - The ability to make the best decision in a given situation is absolutely critical in policing. Not only do officers need to have sound and logical judgment, but also the capacity to make ethically sound decisions helps to prevent the introduction of bias into the criminal justice system.

Do you want to know more?

List of peace officer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a peace officer resume and required skills for a peace officer to have include:

Patrol
Public Safety
Motor Vehicle
Law Enforcement Agencies
Emergency Situations
Incident Reports
Police Academy
CPR
State Laws
Summonses
NYS
Fire Guard
Alertness
NYC
Responder
Radio Calls
Criminal Investigations

Traffic Control
Emergency Calls
Federal Laws
CCTV
Crowd Control
Police Reports
Crime Scenes
Criminal Law
Crime Prevention
Medical Emergencies
Property Damage
Traffic Laws
Safety Hazards
Security Checks
EMS
Local Laws
Criminal Acts

Traffic Enforcement
Federal Government
Traffic Accidents
Fire Drills
Traffic Stops
Nypd
Criminal Cases
Warrant Checks
Subpoenas
Domestic Violence
DUI
Relevant Rules
Court Appearances
Court Proceedings
ASP
Pepper Spray

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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