Law Enforcement Cover Letter Examples & Writing Guide

Ouch. A law enforcement cover letter. Why would you need to write one? You’re not a writer, you apprehend criminals. But—you can’t get hired unless the Chief at least reads your resume. He won’t—unless your letter gives him probable cause. A professional cover letter shows why you’re the best choice.

Sound intimidating?

This guide will show you a law enforcement cover letter sample and the best tips on how to write a cover letter for law enforcement jobs step-by-step.

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Law Enforcement Cover Letter Sample

That cover letter sample walks the thin blue line.

But—don’t skimp on your resume. See our guide: Law Enforcement Resume Sample

Seeking a career change? Relocating? See these guides:

• Police Officer Cover Letter Example
• Firefighter Cover Letter Example
• Federal Cover Letter Example
• Career Change Cover Letter Example
• Entry-Level Cover Letter Example
• Internal Position Cover Letter Example
• Relocation Cover Letter Example
• Short Cover Letter Example
• General Cover Letter Example
• Nonprofit Cover Letter Example
• Formal Cover Letter Example
• Security Officer Cover Letter Example
• Security Guard Cover Letter Example

• Cover Letter Samples for Job Application

Law Enforcement Cover Letter Template

Here’s how to write a cover letter for a law enforcement job application:

1. Use the best law enforcement cover letter format and layout

• Use page margins of one inch on every side.
• Paragraphs: 3–4.
• Cover letter font: professional fonts (Cambria, Didot, Arial, Garamond).
• Cover letter line spacing: 1.15.

Read more: Cover Letter Outline

2. Create a professional law enforcement cover letter header

Your cover letter header has to follow the standard rules for business letter layout. Here’s how to get it right: 

• Start your cover letter with addresses.
• First, your name, job title, mailing address, email, phone number, and LinkedIn.
• Skip a line, then add the date.
• Skip another line, then add the Chief’s name and the department’s address.
• Make sure your resume and cover letter headers match.

Read more: How to Address a Cover Letter

3. Write a personal greeting and a strong first paragraph

• Start with “Dear [Chief’s Name],” instead of “To Whom It May Concern”.
• Make sure to mention the law enforcement position you’re seeking.
• Show you know what they’re looking for right away.
• Don’t know what they’re looking for? Check their mission statement online.
• You can also do some quick informational interviews with other officers.

Read more: Best Ways to Start a Cover Letter

4. Show achievements in your second and third paragraphs

• Show how you’ve aced their law enforcement job requirements.
• Pick the most important ones, and list a couple matching resume achievements.
• Add some numbers to prove your policing skills are NYPD-level.

Should you mention salary in a law enforcement cover letter? See our guide: How to Mention Salary in a Cover Letter

5. Say why you want this law enforcement job

• Make sure they know this law enforcement job is near and dear to your heart.
• The reason? So they’ll know you won’t move on too soon.
• Think of some ways the department will help your career and skills.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 808,000 law enforcement jobs, growing by about 3,700 per year. A great cover letter will help you get the best of those.

6. End your law enforcement cover letter with an offer

• Reiterate your skills and passion near the end, especially if you’re writing an entry-level cover letter.
• Revisit why this job matters to you.
• Ask for the interview.
• Promise to discuss how you can help the department.

Read more: How Should I End a Cover Letter?

7. Finish with a professional sign-off

• End with “Best regards,”.
• Include a digital signature to ramp up your professionalism.
• Finally, add your name, email, and phone number.
• You can also add a list of cover letter enclosures.

Read more: How to Name Your Resume and Cover Letter Files

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When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.

Questions? Concerns? We’re here for you. If you’re still unsure how to write an LAPD-level cover letter for law enforcement jobs, drop me a line in the comments.