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Police Officer Resignation Letter
Sleepless nights, time away from home, and tough calls, police work is surely not for the faint of heart. Being a public servant is tremendously stressful and greatly affects the fragile human nature of every cop. And when you’ve finally decided to leave the force and try new things outside the ones you knew, submitting a police officer resignation letter helps you leave in good terms and open a new chapter in your life. Read More
What Is a Police Officer Resignation Letter?
Stress, risks, and less time with your loved ones will lead you to re-evaluate their decisions and leave the profession of law enforcement. And in this case, a police officer resignation letter will help you leave the force in good terms. This letter lets your superiors know the reasons behind your resignation, and at the same time, allows you to express your gratitude for all the good things they taught you.
And like every resignation letter, a police officer resignation letter is addressed and submitted to your immediate superiors—in this case, the police chief or station commander. Your badge, service firearm, and other personal equipment also needs to be surrendered and turned over along with it as well.
More importantly, submitting a resignation letter to your police chief or station commander prevents you from being sanctioned for abandonment or being AWOL. Alternatively, it also helps you find opportunities outside of the police force quickly and easily.
How To Write a Police Officer Resignation Letter
Writing and submitting a police officer resignation letter is no different from writing a church resignation for members of the clergy. You’ll just need to explain the reason for leaving your calling, set an effective date, and return the items related to the practice of your profession. However, here are some of the tips on how to express those clearly when writing a police officer resignation letter.
1. Notify Your Immediate Superiors
As protocols vary within different police departments throughout the country, It would be hard to pinpoint who to notify about your planned resignation. In most cases, it is often you immediate superior that should know about your plans of leaving the force—whether it be your station commander or the police chief himself. And likewise, your resignation letter should also be addressed according to your department’s protocols after checking them out.
2. Explain the Reason Behind Leaving the Force
Stress, work hazards, and soaring job demands are the common factors that push officers into resignation. However, not all resignations are due to those factors. So you must explain your reasons for leaving the force in your resignation letter, regardless of what they are. This allows your superiors to help your fellow officers who are experiencing the same situation as yours.
Apart from that, you can also take this opportunity to express your gratitude to the whole police department for the brotherhood that you experienced from the as well.
3. Give a Definite Date of Resignation
The same with the employees leaving their organizations, the timeframe by which a police officer leaves their jobs also vary. A 2 weeks notice is common and staple among organizations and institutions. You can also set an earlier date for your resignation depending on the urgency of your situation. But regardless of when it will be, it’s always important to give a definite date of when your resignation will take effect. This will help your department transition smoothly, and prevent throwing a wrench on things for leaving abruptly
4. Sign and Submit the Resignation Letter
Now that you have notified your superiors about your plans of resigning, as well as explaining why and when it will take effect, you can now sign your resignation letter. But before doing that, make sure to be grateful to your superiors and fellow officers once again, and extend your willingness to help by providing your contact information. Then after doing so, you can finally submit your resignation letter to your immediate superior—along with your badge, service firearm, and other items—and finalize your resignation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I provide an earlier effective date for my police office resignation letter?
Yes. Aside from the staple 2-week notice of resignation, you can set a 1-week notice of resignation to your police officer resignation letter. However, this will only depend on how urgent your reason for resigning that you gave to your superiors.
What are the other reasons that push police officers to submit a resignation letter?
Aside from stressful situations, occupational hazards, and job demands, the other reason that pushes an average cop to resign are: Demoralization from recent scandals caused by a few bad apples in the force; Less mobility and career opportunities from delayed promotions and pay; and Finding more greener pastures outside and other significant life changes.
Can a police officer resignation letter help me find a better opportunity outside?
Yes, since it indicates that you left the law enforcement career in good terms and good faith. Consequently, this also helps you in getting a good word fo recommendation from your superiors and fellow officers. On top of that, obtaining your past records and awards becomes easy as well.
Is it okay to make my police officer resignation letter effective immediately?
Yes, as long as you can provide a valid reason for an immediate resignation. Police officers can immediately from their posts for medical reasons, family emergencies, among others.
Parting is truly a sweet and painful sorrow, and submitting a police officer resignation letter is no different. Stress, life and death situations, and with the idea of not seeing your family toying inside your mind, throwing the towel and leaving the force is sometimes a necessity. Besides, as you begin to write a new chapter in your life, you may find better opportunities outside lying around the corner—opportunities that may work better for you once and for all.