Jobs working alongside the police

No matter how long you've been on the force, leaving can be a very difficult moment. Whether you've decided the job isn't for you and want to leave after just a few years, or you've served for three decades or more but aren't ready to retire altogether, the next step might be scary.

Many former police officers may struggle with a lack of direction when they re-enter the civilian profession. Knowing what tasks they would be best-suited for and which sectors are looking for talent might be difficult, especially if they haven't been in the job market for a while.

For most individuals, leaving law enforcement marks a significant career shift, and the adjustment may be culture shock, comparable to that experienced by those leaving the military. However, unlike the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), a government-run aid program for people leaving the military services, there is no similar assistance available for police personnel.

Jobs, on the other hand, we have extensive experience in assisting ex-police officers in transitioning into new careers. We know precisely what businesses are seeking for and how to link them with the ideal former officers via our Police Resettlement EXPO, which was intended to give comparable aid and advise as the CTP to persons leaving the police force.

Ex-police officers' employment options

Former police officers may find a wide range of jobs, so there are plenty of options to progress in a new profession that you're enthusiastic about. Whether or not you use the talents and experiences you gained as a criminal investigator, the honesty and credibility that comes with your job will be highly valued by many businesses.

What do police officers usually do once they leave the force?

There is no traditional professional route for ex-police officers, however there are three basic possibilities to consider if you are leaving the force. Some enter the commercial sector, while others remain in public service, either as civilians working closely with the police or in other sectors such as central government.

Ex-police officers may be particularly well-suited to enterprises that deal with sensitive goods or have strong relationships with public sector organizations such as the government or military. As a former officer, you may have an advantage over other candidates since these companies often require their workers to have tight security clearances that demand honesty.

For individuals who wish to stay close to the police, agencies that work closely with them include direct law enforcement entities like the National Crime Agency or Border Force, as well as central government ministries like the Home Office or HM Revenue and Customs.

Why do so many cops choose second careers?

Even if they had a lengthy and illustrious career, retired police officers are frequently rather young. As a result, many aren't ready to retire and earn a pension just yet, but they do have a plethora of talents and experiences that make them very desirable to companies.

Many former police officers are eager to take on new challenges, increase their chances for higher pay or promotions, or just find a job that provides more flexibility or better matches their work-life balance. Whatever your reasons for wanting to try something new, taking the leap may be a difficult yet exhilarating proposition.

How can you effectively transfer from the police force to the private sector?

Moving into the private sector is frequently a very appealing choice, particularly given the opportunity for increased pay. The transfer from the highly structured framework of a police department to the commercial sector, on the other hand, might provide a steep learning curve.

To achieve this effectively, you must welcome change and be willing to acquire new skills. Professional networking skills will be vital, particularly if you want to set yourself up as a contractor.

Do your research on the sector and jobs you're interested in, and be prepared to change. The corporate world is more nimble and fast-paced than police work, and if you are not prepared for this, you will struggle to advance in your new profession.

Transferable talents that a former police officer may bring to a new employment

Over the course of your police career, you will have gained a broad variety of experiences that will be very relevant to future employers in both the private and public sectors. These talents and characteristics will not only help you get a new job and stand out from other candidates without your history, but will also allow you to flourish in whatever capacity you decide is best for you in the future.

How would your career as a former cop progress?

Looking for employment that demand high levels of security clearance is a fantastic strategy to advance your career. If you already have one or more clearances from your time in the police force, this can be a significant advantage; however, even if you don't, the standards of integrity and trustworthiness demanded of police officers mean you're likely to be approved for any such clearances, giving potential employers more peace of mind.

These clearances provide you access to a wide range of intriguing and profitable employment in a variety of businesses, allowing you to swiftly advance your career and take advantage of possibilities that you would not have had in the military.

What are some examples of transferrable abilities that police officers possess?

There are a broad range of abilities you'll have earned over the years that will serve you well in a number of occupations when you leave the police force, and not all of them will be evident to recruiters.

While expert detective abilities like as investigative skills, problem solving, research, and the ability to analyze data for patterns or anomalies are very valuable in a variety of vocations, they are far from the only police skills that may be readily transferable to other fields.

The capacity to speak openly and professionally with the public, for example, is a more rarer talent than you would imagine, yet it's critical to becoming a good police officer and comes up again throughout numerous industries.

Other talents that will serve you well in whichever field you choose next include:

Teamwork and collaboration

Persistence and fortitude

Ability to work under duress

Leadership

Multitasking ability

What should you include on your resume as a former cop?

However, it is critical that you properly emphasize these talents. While many businesses will see the advantages of employing former police officers, others may want some assistance in understanding the unique potential they may provide to their company.

Highlight the aspects of your career that will be readily transferrable, and avoid becoming overly focused on particular responsibilities or using jargon. Although this terminology may be second nature to you, recruiters are likely to be unfamiliar with police acronyms.

Make a specific point of highlighting any notable accomplishments, such as promotions or investigations in which you had a key role - they demonstrate to employers how you individually make a difference.

Remember to personalize your CV to the job you're looking for. For example, if you're searching for a job in personal protection, emphasize your understanding of law enforcement processes, but if you're seeking for a job in intelligence or fraud analysis, emphasize your investigative abilities.

How to Locate Companies Seeking Ex-Police Officers

Finding jobs for ex-police positions may be difficult. Unlike upon leaving the military, employers cannot sign a formal version of the Armed Forces Covenant to indicate their commitment to assisting these employees.

However, using internet services that specialize in careers for ex-police officers and visiting job fairs such as SecurityClearedJobs' Police Resettlement EXPO may considerably assist in connecting newly-retired police officers with organizations looking for these people.

What are some professional options for ex-police officers and criminal investigators?

If you want to make the most of your technical talents, consider the following job choices for ex-police officers:

Private investigators

Criminal investigators

Support and outreach personnel

Examiners of digital forensics

Consultants in security

However, you should not restrict yourself to occupations that are closely related to the duties you conducted as a serving police officer. Any positions that involve abilities such as attention to detail, persistence, or interacting with the public would provide excellent prospects for ex-police officers.

Retraining in a field such as cyber security, for example, is becoming more common. These positions are now in great demand, and there is a considerable scarcity of individuals with the necessary abilities.

Many of your existing abilities will overlap with those required to thrive in this field, so even if you don't have a very technical background, you may want to explore this as a means to broaden your horizons.

Which industries employ ex-police officers?

Many industries are eager to hire former police officers, particularly for positions in fraud investigations and cyber security. The following industries are particularly willing to employ persons with police backgrounds:

Defence

Aerospace

Government

Finance

IT

Private protection

If you have a lengthy service record with no history of misbehavior, you will be in a good position to secure any security clearances that these areas may demand, which will make you more appealing to prospective employers.

Where may ex-police officers seek for career prospects online?

Using a specialized employment board with a proven track record of aiding persons leaving the uniformed services is an excellent approach to locate opportunities that are well-suited to your police expertise. Signing up to get job alerts when appropriate positions become available is another excellent approach to discover work.

Employers believe that the prospective candidates they locate on these sites will not only have the abilities they want, but will also be honest and reliable. As a result, employment on sites like SecurityClearedJobs.com are often tailored to ex-police officers.

You may also try visiting specialized job fairs or recruiting expos for these professionals. Again, this is a terrific opportunity to engage directly with organizations who recognize the importance these folks give, while also receiving excellent advise on how to effectively transition to civilian professions, from what to put on your resumé to the best interview methods.