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Resume skills guide · SOC 33-3051

Skills for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

The skills, knowledge, and tools that matter most for police and sheriff's patrol officers, ranked by O*NET importance — so you know what to lead with on your resume.

What to lead with

Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.

Top skills (ranked by importance)

O*NET importance score in parentheses (1–5).

  • 1.Active Listening3.88
  • 2.Speaking3.88
  • 3.Critical Thinking3.75
  • 4.Active Learning3.75
  • 5.Reading Comprehension3.62
  • 6.Monitoring3.5
  • 7.Writing3.25
  • 8.Learning Strategies2.62
  • 9.Mathematics2.25
  • 10.Science1.38

Show these skills on your resume for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Honest tailoring

See how your resume lines up with Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

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Knowledge areas

  • Public Safety and Security
  • Law and Government
  • English Language
  • Psychology
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Education and Training
  • Telecommunications
  • Administration and Management

Core work activities

  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  • Getting Information
  • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization
  • Assisting and Caring for Others

In-demand tools & technology

  • Microsoft Visio
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Computer aided composite drawing software
  • Computer aided dispatch software
  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
  • Crime mapping software
  • Database software
  • DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
  • ESRI ArcView
  • IBM Lotus 1-2-3
  • Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS
  • Law enforcement information databases
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database
  • National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN
  • SmartDraw Legal