biography examples for police officers

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Writing a Bio for a Police Officer, Trooper, or Other Law Enforcement Professional

There are some special considerations to keep in mind when writing a work biography for a police officer , trooper or other law enforcement professional.

One tool that helps in all of these tasks is a well-written professional biography, letting the reader know who this person is besides a badge and a uniform.

Here are six key things to include in a police officer autobiography, along with sample wording and fill-in-the-blank examples for crafting an effective law enforcement biography.

1. Identify your audience

The first thing you should ask is “who is the audience for this bio?” In most cases, the biography is being written for a PR handout or a website, so the main audience will be the community at large.

For that reason, the tone needs to be warm and respectful without seeming too casual. “Hi, my name is_______________” is appropriate for many profiles, even professional bios, but it is not the right tone to set when trying to establish a professional rapport between an officer and the community (it’s too casual).

A better way to introduce yourself would be to use your title and name: “(Title: Patrolman, Office, Deputy, Sergeant, etc.)_______________ is a two-year veteran of the _______________ Police Force. Formerly working in__________________ division, he/she now serves in the __________________ department as ______________________.

2. Avoid jargon and acronyms

The text should be straightforward, and informational without a great deal of jargon or acronyms that are understood only by the police. On the other hand, if the bio is being written for other law enforcement professionals, it may use more of the terms and vocabulary commonly used by those on the job. Again, think about your audience and their needs.

3. Leave out the boring stuff

One of the hardest things about writing any professional bio is deciding what merits inclusion and what can be left out. Considering that the most common mistake in writing a professional bio is including too much boring information, my rule of thumb is “when in doubt, leave it out.” Think back to “who is the audience?”and ask yourself what information is relevant to them.

4. List your credentials

Just like that of a doctor or lawyer, the bio of a police officer should include specific information about his or her background, including education, experience, and other relevant work experience that demonstrates qualifications and suitability for the job.

For example: _____________ is a __________ graduate of the ____________________ Police Academy, where he/she graduated in the top __________% of the class.

Alternately, if the individual in question studied law enforcement in college, the bio might read:  ____________ (name) majored in _________________ at ____________ College/University.

5. Include awards, memberships, and other positive information

One of the key goals of a good police officer bio is to establish trust as well as competence . This can be achieved by including mention of any awards or citations the officer has received, as well as any benevolent or professional organizations he or she may be a member of.

Other worthy mentions are membership in any organization that may not be directly related to police work but shows concern for the community, such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, a food bank, or a group that distributes Thanksgiving dinners to the needy. These can be included in this manner:

_________________ has been decorated _____(number of times) for outstanding performance in the line of duty. In _________ he/she received the__________________ for his/her work in/with ____________________.

If you do public speaking on behalf of your department, include that as well. Give a brief mention of work history and experience that is relevant to your speaking topic and audience.

6. What NOT to include

Under normal circumstances, many professional bios feature personal information such as whether the individual is married, the spouse’s name and occupation, and whether the person has children.

While commonplace in many professions, this is not necessarily a good idea for a police officer biography. Law enforcement can be a dangerous occupation, not just for the officer but also for his or her family. In a small town police department where everyone already knows about everyone else’s family, that might be acceptable, but even then, the information might well be kept private on general principle. Never include any information about your family unless you’re comfortable with it and you know the department’s policy regarding it.

Part Two: Bio writing for those in command positions

When writing a bio for a police captain, department head, chief of police, or other high-ranking law enforcement officer, all of the rules above apply. In addition, since this individual will be commanding others and may quite possibly by the “public face” of the department, it’s important to balance their past experience in the field, which speaks of their understanding of the challenges faced by their officers as well as their own experience in what makes for effective police work, with information that reassures those on the force, those in local government, community and business leaders, and the public at large that this individual can:

• lead others
• deal with crises from a position of strength
• use his or her authority and position as a force for good
• ensure justice will be done, no matter what the situation

Therefore, begin the senior police officer bio with the basics: current position in the department or on the force, background, education, and experience, and any awards or citations. Then continue with specifics about the individual’s leadership skills.

For example:

Before becoming the _________(current position) of _______________ Police Department, __________ worked as a ___________________, overseeing ___________ cases and _______________ of officers.

In addition to his/her current position, _____________ frequently speaks on the topic of ______at law enforcement seminars (and/or) has been published in ____________ journal.

He/She has spearheaded a campaign to obtain ______________ in order to better equip the department and enable it to_________________.

All of this will vary depending on the individual’s specific education, experience, and expertise, but the important fact to remember is that a professional autobiography bio for someone in command should be more detailed and offer more bona fides than that of his/her subordinate. Any other presentation will undermine the leader in the eyes of his/her own department and probably in the eyes of the community as well.

More help needed? A detailed police office bio template that is professionally written in the correct style and format for law enforcement professionals is available here .

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Landing the job of police officer is definitely not easy for any candidate. It definitely requires the ample amount of experience, proper education, and skills to perform all duties efficiently. Apart from these major requirements, the bio or resume writing for this job is also an art itself. Before getting all panicking and search for someone to “write my bio”, try to sit down to writing yourself.

You can’t take it lightly in case of having the adequate experience and education. This is how, it is important to get proper information before writing the police biography. The best biographies for different vacancies of police officer jobs are available on internet. But best skills can only be developed once you learn the tips and expert suggestions.

According to Timothy Roufa, the attrition rate for police officers is 14% . You may think it is a small percentage; however, it is higher than in other fields. Making sure you meet all the requirements can help you get the job. But, competition is fierce, and you will have to stand out from the crowd.

A well-written police officer biography can help you with it. By highlighting your strongest skills and background, you can stand out from the competition. Thus, making sure you always have a bio ready is vital. You can either write your police bio by yourself or look for professional help if you want to make sure it is impeccable.

Steps to Follow

Making a strong first impression is very important. When people first read your bio, they will get a general idea about you. A strong first impression can help you gain the people’s trust – something essential if you want to be a police officer.

A biography of a police officer is the easiest way the reader can see if you are a professional, reliable, and earnest worker. A bio can help you show the reader you are someone they can trust, and that you are highly professional. First impressions are difficult to change, so make sure you make a good one with these useful steps:

• First of all, you need to include the name and the post for which you are applying.
• The work experience should be added with the dates. Prior experience of work is highly important to be added in the biography.
• The other step is to add the brief details of the education. The skills are not required for this job. Therefore, your major focus should be on experience and education.

Biography of a Police Officer: Things to Avoid

When you begin writing biography of a police officer, it is suggested to avoid these things.

• Use the relevant phrases rather than relying on the simple words.
• Never make the funny grammatical mistakes.
• Don’t write long paragraphs. It is better to use bullet points.
• Writing the bio based on more than two pages would be your major mistake. None of any recruiter would have ample time to read your three to four pages bio.
• Overwriting is definitely a major blunder made by people in writing police officer bio.

Discover the essentials of an impressive  web developer bio !

Police Officer Autobiography: Things to Write

When you start writing the police officer autobiography, the shared things must be in your to-do list.

• Always begin writing the bio by identifying your audience. Write the details by keeping this fact in mind.
• The use of abbreviations is not considered as professional in the police bio.
• Any stuff that you feel can make the reader feel bored should be removed. This is the best suggestion.
• Never forget to enlist all the credentials including relevant work experience and education. Whatever you will add must be suitable with the job.
• It will be your biggest mistake to avoid adding positive information, memberships and awards. Such info can actually create good impression in front of selectors.

Experts Have to Say This

Every bio writing expert suggests to study the actual process and elements required for writing ideal biographies . For the police officer job, the important thing is to stay to the topic. Secondly, it is also advised by experts to discuss all of your related achievements that can be workable to land the desired job. Recruiters always look for the accomplishments of the candidates. Therefore, never avoid adding all of your accomplished achievements. Write in professional tone and use of vague language is always result in instant rejections.

The online assistance can also be quite helpful for you to get your police officer bio done on time and by living up to the expectations. There are still many people who prefer writing the job biography by themselves. However, this is not as simple as they think. Therefore, it is better to attempt this task only if you’ve some basic info about writing police officer biography.

Always go for the best option and hire trusted yet expert biography writer to get perfect solution of this issue. Making the best decision on right time always results in providing ultimate success for long-term. You should always believe on what experts say because it is definitely important to save your professional career. Don’t keep your career on stake.

Police Officer Biography Written in a Professional Way

A police officer autobiography says more about you that you can imagine. It will reflect the way that you present yourself to the world. Thus, making sure yours is well-written is vital. This will help you demonstrate to the reader that you are an earnest professional that they can rely on.

Looking for professional writing help is the best way you can guarantee your bio will be perfect. A skilled and experienced writer will write flawless and catchy sentences to captivate the reader’s attention. They will deliver an impeccable bio that will show the audience you care about your professional image. Which in the end, translates to being a good and reliable worker.

We can help you with any troubles you may encounter when writing your police biography. We have a rockstar team to assist you throughout the entire process:

• Our writers are highly-experienced professionals. They have great attention to detail and will always deliver impeccable biographies.
• They have many years of experience writing and editing content. With plenty of experience, our team has master the art of writing biographies.
• We only work with skilled professionals. We go through a thorough admission process to ensure we work with English language expert writers.
• Our team has experience and expertise in the field. They know what they should write and highlight on your bio so you get the results you want.

The police officer biography writing can become an uncomplicated task for you. Read the shared tips in this post and also share with others to spread the useful information!

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9 Real Police Officer Resume Examples That Worked in 2024

Police Officer

Best for senior and mid-level candidates

There’s plenty of room in our elegant resume template to add your professional experience while impressing recruiters with a sleek design.

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Like this template? Customize this resume and make it your own with the help of our Al-powered suggestions, accent colors, and modern fonts.

Police Officer Resume

• Police Officer Resumes by Experience
• Police Officer Resumes by Role

Police Officer Resume FAQs

You’re a defender of the police and a protector of the innocent; you’re a police officer, and keeping people safe is what you do. 

As a police officer, you’re used to discipline and organization, so your resume should also reflect those qualities. But what else does a good resume include?  Making an amazing resume  and writing an effective cover letter may feel more exhausting than chasing a suspect through the night, but it doesn’t have to be mysterious.

For this reason,  we’ve created nine police officer resume samples that will help get you hired in 2024 . These resumes contain everything you need to know about writing a police officer resume, including the essential details you’ll want to include or omit so that you can turn in your current job resignation letter and get hired faster!

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• If you’re in the middle of your career, don’t worry about adding an objective or summary to your police officer resume; they’re completely optional, albeit useful if used well.
• On the flip side, if you do choose to use an objective or summary,  always tailor it to each job for which you apply . Mention the employer and role by name, and include your reasons for wanting that particular position.
• Hiring managers typically spend only six seconds reviewing your resume. Including awards can help you gain recognition and increase your chances of getting an interview.

Experienced Police Officer Resume

• “Supervised and coordinated a team of 12 patrol officers” and “reducing road accidents in school zones by 50%” are potential examples of tangible, eye-catching results.
• We’d recommend listing six to eight highly relevant skills such as “search & seizure” and “teamwork.”

Entry-Level Police Officer Resume

• The key to a good objective is customizing it for each job for which you apply. Include the name of the employer, the role you’re seeking, and the skills you hope to use in your future position to stand out and get noticed by hiring personnel.
• For example, mentioning soft skills like “managed,” “handled,” “analyzed,” or “trained” shows leadership and is a great way to book your spot for an interview!

Retired Police Officer Resume

• For a part-time bailiff position, shape your career objective around your proven ability to follow protocol—a must in courtroom settings.

Auxiliary Police Officer Resume

• Don’t forget to include your criminal justice degree on this resume. It reveals a longstanding dedication to the mission of the police department.

NYPD Police Officer Resume

• For instance, did you achieve the status of sergeant or captain? Include it on your resume, highlighting your most recent and relevant experience first in reverse-chronological order.
• What does this mean? Use strong verbs and active voice to demonstrate your leadership. For example, instead of saying, “Aided other officers in patrols by taking calls,” say “Monitored radio calls during night shift to assist officers during patrols.”

Federal Police Officer Resume

• Start by putting your work experience in reverse-chronological order, then lay out the rest of your information according to importance.
• For example, keep your contact header at the very top of your resume, and put your skills section after your education.
• You’d be surprised to discover the fine details interviewers notice when searching for the perfect candidate, so always  check your resume  for errors before you hit submit!

Public Safety Officer Resume

• For instance, have you moved from completing some tasks to supervising various teams completing many tasks? Ensure your resume shows a progression in your ability to handle more responsibilities.
• The goal with your skills should be to show employers you’ve got more than just head knowledge. A great example would be “administered first aid to 32 injured students” because it shows how you applied your abilities at first aid.

Campus Police Officer Resume

• Make the job description your roadmap for skills and experience to include. Are they looking for someone to train new recruits? Mention how you mentored cadets in the past. Do they want someone who can maintain their own police vehicle? Include any maintenance experience you have. Customizing your resume is the number one way to get noticed!
• Your employer likely expects you to have experience dealing with adolescents or college students, so, try to mention your communication skills. This kind of resume alteration will help employers realize you’re the one.

Related resume guides

• Security Officer
• Investigator
• Security Guard
• Firefighter

What employers don’t want to see is a list of job duties. They already know what a police officer does; instead, use your job description bullet points to speak to accomplishments in your law enforcement career. What situations did you encounter, how did you respond to those situations, and what was the result or impact? Whenever possible, quantify those statements.

Be detailed and specific in your resume, but save the story-telling aspect for your police officer cover letter .

This depends on the job description. If you’re applying to work as a public safety officer, you might consider skills like firearm safety and security equipment maintenance. If you’re planning to serve at a college campus, crowd control is an excellent skill to have. And working for a traditional police department, search and seizure will be important. The point is to understand what the job requires and to tailor your police resume accordingly.

Since law enforcement leaves room for an upward trajectory, it makes the most sense to format your resume in reverse-chronological order. What’s “above the fold” of your resume is what hiring teams will focus their attention on most, which means if you’re currently a sergeant, you shouldn’t start by listing your first job right out of the police academy.

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Biographies

​share this page​, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​phoenix police department executive staff​, executive assistant chief derek elmore.

Throughout the years, Chief Elmore has been responsible for handling assignments that involve major crime scenes, investigations, personnel issues, officer training, community outreach, and public speaking.  He has honed a talent for refining critical operations by leading the department through key projects, such as reframing staff and resources within the Domestic Violence Unit to focus on primary offenders, and restoring the Tactical Review Committee which is responsible for reviewing critical incidents and identifying operational trends.  

He achieved the rank of Executive Assistant Chief in December 2022 and now manages the Administration, Accountability and Transparency Section for the Office of Administration.  This includes bureaus which make a significant impact on personnel and stakeholders, including recruitment and training, employee wellness, and community engagement.  

​Chief Elmore obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Claremont McKenna College in 1989 and has taught college level Criminal Justice courses.  He enjoys mentoring staff across ranks in his pursuit to help others reach their career goals.  In addition to his work within public safety, he is also active with youth sports in the Phoenix area, which includes coaching track and field and basketball teams.

Executive Assistant Chief Sean Patrick Connolly

Executive Assistant Chief Connolly has served in multiple ranks in the South Mountain, Maryvale-Estrella Mountain, Mountain View and Cactus Park Precincts.  He has led the department’s Gang Enforcement Unit, Walking Beat Unit and Precinct Resources Teams.   He has served as the Commander of the Maryvale Estrella Mountain Precinct, the Violent Crime Bureau, the Drug Enforcement Bureau and the City Manager’s Office.  He has also served as the departments Night Watch Commander. 

Executive Assistant Chief Connolly earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Arizona and his Master of Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.  He is a graduate of the Major Cities Chiefs Association’s, Police Executive Leadership Institute and possesses an Executive Certificate from Georgetown University McCort School of Public Policy in School-Justice Partnerships.  He instructs nationally for the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Mass Atrocities and Genocide in partnership with the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.  He has been the recipient of numerous commendations and awards to include four Police Chief Unit Awards, Distinguished Service Award, Community Based Policing Award, Supervisor of the Year and the Human Services Campus Dream Catcher Award.  ​

Assistant Chief Ed DeCastro 

Assistant Chief Sean Kennedy​ 

Assistant Chief Sean Kennedy is an Arizona native who is a 25-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department. During his career, he has held assignments in the South Mountain Precinct, Maryvale Precinct, Cactus Park Precinct, Desert Horizon Precinct, the Tactical Support Bureau, and the Violent Crimes Bureau. In these assignments he held positions in Field Training, Investigations, Precinct Resource Teams involved in problem-oriented crime reduction strategies, and in tactical operations.

In 2017, he was promoted to Commander and served over the Violent Crimes Bureau and Tactical Support Bureau. He has been the recipient of numerous commendations and awards to include the Police Chief’s Unit Award, Distinguished Service Award, Community Based Policing Award, and Crime Suppression Award.

Assistant Chief Kennedy earned his Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from the University of Arizona and his Master of Organizational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. He also holds a Graduate Certificate in Leadership in Criminal Justice Administration from Northern Arizona University.

Assistant Director Jesse W. Cooper 

Assistant Director Cooper is a nationally recognized leader in policing technology. He has been a member of the Department of Homeland Security's Metropolitan Area Working Group, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) Technology Committee, Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO), National Emergency Number Association (NENA), and Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) with an emphasis on advancing public safety technology for first responders. He is credentialed as an all-hazards Communications Unit Leader and instructor specializing in large-scale incident management response and interoperable public safety communications.

​Assistant Director Cooper earned his Master of Administration degree with an emphasis in Public Management from Northern Arizona University and his Master of Arts in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense) from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He is also a Certified Public Manager and a graduate of the AZPOST Arizona Leadership Program (#6). He has been the recipient of numerous commendations and awards to include two Phoenix Police Department Distinguished Service Awards, Phoenix Fire Department Unit Citation Award, and the​ City of Phoenix Employee Excellence Award.​

Assistant C​hief Bryan Chapman

Assistant Chief Bryan Chapman is a 23-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department. Throughout his career, he has held assignments in Central City & Mountain View Precincts, Violent Crimes Bureau, Family Investigations Bureau, Downtown Operations Unit and the Training Bureau. Prior to service with the Phoenix Police Department, he served four years as a police officer and detective with the Bowling Green Police Division in Ohio.

In 2019, Assistant Chief Chapman was promoted to Commander and held assignments in the Property Crimes Detail, Center for Continuous Improvement and the Training Bureau. He was promoted to Assistance Chief in 2021 and assigned to the Organizational & Development Division with responsibility over the Employment Services Bureau, the Training Bureau, the Center for Continuous Improvement and the Department of Justice Inquiry.

Assistant Chief Chapman earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Toledo and is a graduate of the Certified Public Manager program at Arizona State University. 

Assistant Chief Nicholas DiPonzio​

Assistant Chief Nicholas DiPonzio is a 26-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department. During his career he has demonstrated a commitment to innovative crime reduction strategies, utilizing intelligence led policing with a focus on community engagement and partnership. Assistant Chief DiPonzio currently leads the Patrol Division which encompasses the Phoenix Police Departments 7 patrol precincts.

Throughout his career, DiPonzio has held assignments in the Mountain View, South Mountain, Maryvale-Estrella Mountain, and Cactus Park Precincts, along with assignments in the Organized Crime, Violent Crimes, Drug Enforcement and Family Investigation Bureaus.

In 2019, Assistant Chief DiPonzio was promoted to Commander and held assignments in the South Mountain Precinct and as both Day and Night Shift Watch Commander.

Assistant Chief DiPonzio earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Ottawa University and his Master of Science in Leadership from Grand Canyon University. He has been the recipient of numerous commendations and awards to include the Police Chiefs Unit Award, Distinguished Service Award and the Medal of Valor.

Assistant C​hief Charmane Osborn

Assistant Chief Charmane Osborn has served with the Phoenix Police Department for 25 years. She has worked in various capacities around the Department to include: Family Investigations, Transit, Professional Standards, Central Booking and the City Manager’s Office as the Department’s Police Liaison to City Council. Operationally she has worked patrol in several precincts to include Maryvale Precinct, Central City Precinct, and she served as sergeant, lieutenant and the commander in the Desert Horizon Precinct.

Assistant Chief Osborn is a legacy child for the Phoenix Police Department; her father was a motor officer killed in the line of duty in May of 1984, when she was in high school. Even with this tragedy, she has dedicated herself to the community and volunteers with multiple organizations including: the Phoenix Police Museum, the Phoenix Police Honor Guard, she is the treasurer for the FBI National Academy Associates – Arizona Chapter, and an adjunct member of the FBI National Academy Associates (National) Finance Board. She previously served as a board member and secretary the Back-to-School Clothing Drive – an organization that has served the valley for over 50 years by providing new school uniforms and clothing to underprivileged children. She currently is the police department’s liaison for the Neighborhood Block Watch Oversite Committee.

Assistant Chief Osborn graduated in March 2018 from the 271st session of the FBI National Academy. She has a Master of Arts degree in Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster University (2009), and a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice from Arizona State University (1999) – Go Devils!

Reserve Assistant C​hief Joseph Klima

Assistant Chief Joseph Klima has served the citizens of Phoenix and the Phoenix Police Department for 42 years. He spent 35 years as a career member of the Police Department, working various patrol and operational assignments. He has focused his career on creative, collaborative, and community-based problem solving in addressing crime and quality of life issues.  Early in his career he worked on reducing impaired driving while in the Traffic Bureau and on special assignment to the Governor's Office of Highway Safety. There he partnered with groups such as SADD and MADD. He led the City-wide curfew program, and directed Operation Safe Streets, a summertime violent crime reduction effort as the Gang Enforcement Unit Lieutenant.

In 1999, Assistant Chief Klima was promoted to precinct commander working alongside community members through programs such as the Violence Impact Project and Shannon's Law enforcement. As the commander in the Violent Crimes Bureau, he helped implement the Home Invasion Kidnapping Enforcement Task Force and provided management oversight in the Goudeau and Serial Shooter murder investigations. These investigations required collaboration with numerous local, state and federal partners.  Other command positions he served in included the Traffic Bureau, Downtown Operations Bureau, Drug Enforcement Bureau and the City Manager's Office. In November 2015 he retired from his career position and began his service as a volunteer commander in the Reserve Division. In March 2022 he was promoted to Assistant Chief and leads the Department's Reserve Division.

​As sistant Chief Klima has a  bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He completed Arizona State University's Certified Public Manager and Executive Management Leadership Training programs.  His performance has been recognized throughout his career with Police Chief's unit awards, Distinguished Service awards, City Manager's Award of Excellence, the International Association of Chiefs of Police Webber Seavey award in Innovative Policing, US Attorney's Office, Arizona District's Collaboration in Law Enforcement awards and the FBI's Community Service award.

27 of the Best Professional Bio Examples I've Ever Seen [+ Templates]

Published: December 20, 2023

As a writer, I have to let readers and potential clients know my expertise, my skills, and why they should work with me or be interested in what I say. So, a professional bio is a must in my industry.

Though I'm definitely familiar with professional bios, I can admit they can be challenging. What do I include? What do readers need to know?

As daunting as writing a professional bio can be, professional bios are crucial when applying for jobs, seeking new clients, or networking. A professional bio also gives the world a brief snapshot of you and your professional ideals.

If you‘re at a loss for how to write a professional bio that packs a punch, I’ve got you covered. In this journey, tools like HubSpot’s user-friendly drag-and-drop website builder can be instrumental in showcasing your professional bio online with ease and style.

I will walk you through how to write a professional bio that you can proudly publish, provide professional bio templates, and show you the best professional bio examples you can get inspiration from.

What is a professional bio?

Professional bio templates, how to write a professional bio, best professional bio examples, how to write a short bio.

80+ Professional Bio Templates & Examples

Create a compelling professional narrative for a proper, attention-grabbing introduction.

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Tell us a little about yourself below to gain access today:

A professional bio or biography is a short overview of your experience. Professional bios usually include details about education, employment, achievements, and relevant skills.

Purpose of Professional Bios

A bio tells an audience about who you are, what you've done, and what you can do. It can help potential employers, fans, or customers understand your personality and what you stand for.

Writing a bio without a clear starting point is challenging — believe me, I've tried. To ease the process, here are some templates I put together to get you started.

I‘ve found it’s best to keep your professional bio honest and to the point. Too long of a bio, and you risk losing your audience's attention. After all, audiences will only read a web page for less than a minute before clicking elsewhere.

And honesty is key because most consumers and clients won‘t invest in someone or something if it doesn’t seem trustworthy. In fact, 67% of consumers say they must trust a brand before investing in its products or services.

"Plus," she adds, "I'm always happy to talk about my cats at any given moment. You never know when a fellow cat mom could be reading."

Values and Work Approach

Your values can sometimes show your work ethic more effectively than your career path. It can also help you endear yourself to employers and colleagues who want to work with people with similar values.

So don‘t be shy: Share how you incorporate your values into your work. Whether it’s a commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, or ethical decision-making, explain what drives you and be enthusiastic about it.

Your Personality

Remember: Your bio should always include a taste of your personality! Your sense of humor, creativity, or collaborative nature could all give readers a sense of who you are. This helps readers connect with you on a more personal level.

Remember to tailor your bio for different platforms and audiences. Also, keep it concise and impactful while highlighting the most relevant information in each context.

First-Person Bio vs. Third-Person Bio

While first-person bios are common, third-person bios can be more effective in formal situations.

Your decision to write your professional bio in the first or third person depends on your desire to leave a more personable or assertive impression.

Both approaches work, provided you tailor them to your goals and audience. What’s important is to be clear and tell your story in a way that connects with your reader.

How to Write a First-Person Bio

Writing in the first person can be a great way to connect with your audience when building a personal brand. When you write a first-person bio, use "I" or "me" to make yourself relatable and approachable.

Here's one way I’d write a first-person bio:

"I'm a freelance writer specializing in small business content. I've worked with companies in a variety of industries like home care to fine leather goods."

Speaking in the first person here connects you with a client or brand based on your experience and opinions. Put another way, writing a first-person bio is like telling your story to your audience.

Here are a few tips to make your first-person bio great:

Don’t start every sentence with "I."

Showing instead of telling is a great approach.

Let’s say you’re a writer who wants to create a short professional bio. Instead of saying, "I love to write," you can say, "Writer. Bad but enthusiastic dancer."

This portrays your writing skill, shows your personality outside of writing as a dancer, and includes a little sense of humor, which is essential for a writer.

Remember, you know yourself better than anyone.

Adding a back story to your bio helps create context for the roles and successes you write about. Think of it like a case study about who you were, what you are now, and the process that got you to your current position.

Focus on valuable details.

Quick facts about you can showcase your identity and values. For example, if you're writing a bio for LinkedIn, think about how to tie your hobby into what you do.

Let's say Animal Crossing is your hobby. Does it align with your career aspirations? It can be a great addition to your bio if you want to pursue a video game career.

However, if your interests lie elsewhere, including a more relevant hobby is better.

How to Write a Third-Person Bio

Third-person bios sound more authoritative and objective. So, if you’re job searching in a formal industry, applying for grants, or trying to get published, you may want to stick to the third person.

For instance, when you write a third-person bio, you may start with:

"Jasmine Montgomery is a Senior Hiring Manager at L’Oreal based in New York. She recruits across several business units to connect with the brightest talent from around the globe."

By only using your name and pronouns to speak about yourself here, you are letting your title and skill set speak for themselves.

These bios create distance between the subject of the bio (you) and the reader through a third person. This person could be anyone, but they usually speak in a tone emphasizing their expertise.

This makes third-person bios feel aloof or overly formal sometimes.

Ideally, your third-person bio should sound friendly but polished, like a message from a close colleague at work. Here are a few tips on how to write a great third-person bio.

Write from the perspective of someone you know and trust.

It can be challenging to write about yourself, so try to see yourself from the perspective of your favorite person at work or a mentor you trust. This can help you write from a position of authority without feeling self-conscious.

Show the reader why they should trust your opinion.

A professional bio often reflects a specific industry or niche. With this in mind, your text should include relevant details that professionals in your industry know. Avoid jargon whenever you can.

Remember, you're telling a story.

If you want a third-person bio, but you're used to writing in first-person, it may help to write it the most comfortable way for you.

Your professional bio is an essential piece of writing, so edit it carefully. Edit your writing from both points of view and see which works best for your target audience.

Here's how to write a professional bio, step by step.

• Create an 'About' page for your website or profile.
• Begin writing your bio with your first and last name.
• Mention any associated brand name you might use.
• State your current position and what you do.
• Include at least one professional accomplishment.
• Describe your values and how they inform your career.
• Briefly tell your readers who you are outside of work.
• Use humor or a personal story to add flavor to your professional bio.

If you’re anything like me, you probably don't think about your professional bio until you’re asked to "send one over via email."

You have one afternoon to come up with it, so you scramble together a bio that ends up reading like this:

"Rodney Erickson is a content marketing professional at HubSpot, a CRM platform that helps companies attract visitors, convert leads, and close customers.

Previously, Rodney worked as a marketing manager for a tech software startup. He graduated with honors from Columbia University with a dual degree in Business Administration and Creative Writing."

To be fair, in certain contexts, your professional bio needs to be more formal, like Mr. Erickson's up there. But there are also cases where writing a personable and conversational bio is good.

Whether you choose the formal or casual route, use the following steps to create a perfect bio.

1. Create an 'About' page for your website or profile.

You need an online space to keep your professional bio. Here are a few to consider (some of these you might already have in place):

• Facebook Business page .
• Industry blog byline .
• Instagram account .
• Personal website .
• LinkedIn profile .
• Industry website .
• Personal blog .

As you'll see in the professional bio examples below, the length and tone of your bio will differ depending on the platforms you use.

Instagram, for example, allows only 150 characters of bio space, whereas you can write as much as you want on your website or Facebook Business page.

2. Begin writing your bio with your first and last name.

If your readers remember nothing else about your bio, they should remember your name. Therefore, it's a good idea for your first and last name to be the first two words of your professional bio.

Even if your name is printed above this bio (hint: it should), this is a rare moment where it's okay to be redundant.

For example, if I were writing my bio, I might start it like this:

Lindsay Kolowich

Lindsay Kolowich is a Senior Marketing Manager at HubSpot.

3. Mention any associated brand name you might use.

Will your professional bio represent you or a business you work for? Ensure you mention the brand you associate with in your bio. If you're a freelancer, you may have a personal business name or pseudonym you advertise to your clients.

Here are a few examples:

• Lindsay Kolowich Marketing.
• SEO Lindsay.
• Kolowich Consulting.
• Content by Kolowich (what do you think ... too cheesy?).

Maybe you founded your own company and want its name to be separate from your real name. Keep it simple like this: "Lindsay Kolowich is the founder and CEO of Kolowich Consulting."

4. State your current position and what you do.

Whether you're the author of a novel or a mid-level specialist, use the following few lines of your bio to describe what you do in that position. Refrain from assuming your audience knows what your job title entails.

Make your primary responsibilities known so readers can know you and understand what you offer to your industry.

5. Include at least one professional accomplishment.

Just as a business touts its client successes through case studies, your professional bio should let your audience know what you've achieved.

What have you done for yourself — as well as for others — that makes you a valuable player in your industry?

6. Describe your values and how they inform your career.

Why do you do what you do? What might make your contribution to the market different from your colleagues? What are the values that make your business a worthwhile investment to others?

Create a professional bio that answers these questions.

7. Briefly tell your readers who you are outside of work.

Transition from describing your values in work to defining who you are outside of work. This may include:

• Your family.
• Your hometown.
• Sports you play.
• Hobbies and interests.
• Favorite music and travel destinations.
• Side hustles you're working on.

People like connecting with other people. The more transparent you are about who you are personally, the more likable you'll be to people reading about you.

8. Use humor or a personal story to add flavor to your professional bio.

End your professional bio on a good or, more specifically, a funny note. By leaving your audience with something quirky or unique, you can ensure they'll leave your website with a pleasant impression of you.

Following the steps above when writing your bio is important, but take your time with one section. People consume lots of information daily. So ensure your bio hooks 'em in the first line, and you won’t lose them.

(P.S. Want to boost your professional brand? Take one of HubSpot Academy's free certification courses . In just one weekend, you can add a line to your resume and bio that over 60,000 marketers covet.)

Why Good Bios Are Important for a Professional

You may think, "How many people read professional bios, anyway?"

The answer: A lot. Though there's no way to tell who is reading it, you want it catchy. Your professional bio will delight the right people coming across it on multiple platforms.

Professional bios can live on your LinkedIn profile , company website, guest posts, speaker profiles, Twitter bio , Instagram bio , and many other places.

And most importantly, it‘s the tool you can leverage most when you’re networking.

Bottom line? People will read your professional bio. Whether they remember it or it makes them care about you is a matter of how well you present yourself to your intended audience.

So, what does a top-notch professional bio look like? Let‘s review a few sample bios for professionals like you and me. Then, we’ll cover bio examples from some of the best people in the industry.

Short Sample Bios

Your bio doesn't have to be complicated. Here are five samples to glean inspiration from.

Example 1: Friendly Sample Bio

"Hey! My name is Ryan, and I'm a marketing specialist passionate about digital advertising. I have five years of experience managing various online campaigns and improving brand visibility for clients across multiple verticals. I love analyzing consumer behavior and leveraging data-driven strategies to maximize ROI. Outside work, I enjoy traveling, taking funny photos, and exploring new hiking trails."

Example 2: Mid-Career Sample Bio

"Jennifer Patel is a versatile graphic designer known for her creative approach and attention to detail. With a background in visual arts and eight years of experience, Jennifer has worked on diverse projects ranging from logo designs to website layouts. Her ability to understand and translate client needs into visually striking designs sets her apart. Jennifer finds inspiration in nature, music, and pop culture."

Example 3: Sales Sample Bio

"I'm a seasoned sales executive with a track record of exceeding targets and building strong client relationships. With a background in B2B sales, I've built a natural ability to understand customer needs and consistently exceed quota every month. I pride myself in my communication skills and strategic approaches, which have helped me thrive in highly competitive markets such as SaaS sales. Outside work, I enjoy playing basketball and volunteering at local charities."

Example 4: HR Sample Bio

"I am a dedicated human resources professional with a passion for fostering a positive workplace culture and facilitating employee development. With eight years of experience in talent acquisition and HR operations, I've played a key role in building high-performing teams. I'm known for my strong interpersonal skills and ability to create inclusive and supportive work environments. In my free time, I enjoy practicing yoga and exploring new culinary experiences."

Example 5: Software Engineer Sample Bio

"David Chang is a senior software engineer specializing in backend development. With a strong background in computer science and six years of experience, David has successfully built scalable and efficient solutions for complex technical challenges. He is well-versed in various programming languages and frameworks like C++, Java, and Ruby on Rails. In his spare time, David enjoys reading science fiction novels and playing the guitar."

Below, we've curated some of the best professional bio examples we've ever seen on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and the various places you might describe yourself.

Check 'em out and use them as inspiration when crafting your own.

• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Author
• Chima Mmeje: SEO Content Writer
• DJ Nexus: DJ
• Lena Axelsson: Marriage & Family Therapist
• Mark Levy: Branding Firm Founder
• Audra Simpson: Political Anthropologist
• Marie Mikhail: Professional Recruiter
• Wonbo Woo: Executive Producer
• Chris Burkard: Freelance Photographer
• Lisa Quine: Creative Consultant
• Nancy Twine: Hair Care Founder
• Trinity Mouzon: Wellness Brand Founder
• Alberto Perez: Co-Founder of Zumba Fitness
• Ann Handley: Writer and Marketer

1. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie : Author

Bio platform: personal website.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie begins her professional bio with an invitation to her roots.

In a few paragraphs, she describes when and where she was born, her family, her education, her honorary degrees, and the depth of her work, which has been translated into 30 languages and several publications.

She can keep readers engaged by leading with a powerful hook that aligns with her target audience’s marketing needs.

• There’s clarity about who Chima serves.
• The hook is bold, catchy, and compels anyone to read further.
• Including client results makes clients visualize what they can expect.

3. DJ Nexus : DJ

Bio platform: facebook.

This New England-based DJ has single-handedly captured the Likes of over 2,000 people in and beyond Boston, MA. And even if you don‘t listen to the type of music he produces, it’s hard not to read his compelling Facebook bio.

For instance, consider his tagline, under "About" — " Quiet during the day. QUITE LOUD at night! " DJ Nexus tells you when he works awesomely. I got goosebumps just imagining a dance club where he might play music.

The second is the "long version," which is even more interesting than the first. Why? It reads like a story — a compelling one, at that. In fact, it gets hilarious in some parts.

The second sentence of the bio reads: "He was frightened of public school, loved playing baseball and football, ran home to watch ape films on the 4:30 Movie, listened to The Jam and The Buzzcocks, and read magic trick books."

Here's another excerpt from the middle:

It's a well-put value proposition that sets her apart from the rest of the HR industry.

Marie concludes her bio with a smooth mix of professional skills, like her Spanish fluency, and personal interests, such as podcasting and Star Wars (she mentions the latter with just the right amount of humor).

• Straight off the bat, Marie uses a story to share her experiences of how she began as a recruiter.
• It provides a subtle pitch for readers to check out her podcast.
• The bio exudes Maries approachable, fun, and playful personality.

8. Wonbo Woo : Executive Producer

Wonbo Woo is the executive producer of WIRED's video content and has several impressive credits to his name. What does this mean for his professional bio? He has to prioritize.

With this in mind, Wonbo opens his bio with the most eye-catching details first (if the image below is hard to read, click it to see the full copy ).

I wouldn‘t necessarily be inclined to follow Chris if his bio had simply read, "I post beautiful images." But images that inspire me to travel? Now that’s something I can get behind.

Last, he ends on a humble, sweet note: "He is happiest with his wife Breanne raising their two sons." So inject personal information into your bio — it makes you seem approachable.

• It highlights Chris’s achievement without bragging.
• The last sentence portrays Chris as a responsible man who loves his family.
• The well-written bio speaks to nature lovers who like the outdoors, surfing, and more. This gives them reasons to follow Chris.

10. Lisa Quine : Creative Consultant

Bio platform: portfolio website.

Creative professionals who specialize in visual art may find it challenging to balance the writing of their bio and displaying of their portfolio. Not Lisa Quine. Lisa has an exceptional balance of her professional bio and creative work.

Throughout her bio, you'll notice the number of murals she's completed and a brief timeline of her career. This helps her paint the picture of who she is as a professional.

The rest of her bio similarly focuses on Twine's strengths as someone who’s able to take hair care "back to basics."

Mouzon effectively grips the reader's attention with this introduction and then dives into some of her impressive accomplishments — including a brand now sold at Urban Outfitters and Target.

The language used throughout Mouzon's bio is authentic, real, and honest.

For instance, in the second paragraph, she admits:

"While building a brand may have looked effortless from the outside, starting a business at age 23 with no resources or funding quickly forced me to realize that early-stage entrepreneurship was anything but transparent."

As an avid Zumba fan, I was excited to include this one. Perez styles his LinkedIn bio as a short story, starting with his background as a hard-working teen who held three jobs by age 14.

His bio tells the fun and fascinating origin story of Zumba, in which Perez, an aerobics teacher in Florida at the time, forgot his music for class and used a Latin music cassette tape instead ... "And it was an instant hit!"

His bio continues:

"Shortly after he was connected to Alberto Periman and Alberto Aghion, and Zumba was officially created ... What started as a dream now has 15 million people in more than 200,000 locations in 186 countries who take Zumba classes every week."

There's something in there for everyone.

• The last section of the bio shows Ann’s warm personality — "Ann lives in Boston, where she is Mom to creatures two- and four-legged."
• Written in the third person, this bio has lots of proof (like followers), which shows Ann is a terrific marketing leader.

If you're posting a bio on a social media account or sending a quick blurb to a client, you want to keep it short and sweet while showcasing your accomplishments.

To get started, use these best practices for writing your short professional bio:

• Introduce yourself.
• State what you do.
• Add key skills or areas of expertise.
• Include a personal mission statement
• Celebrate your wins.
• Provide your contact information.
• Show them your personality.

1. Introduce yourself.

Your introduction is your first impression, so always begin by telling people who you are. You may start with a greeting like, "Hello, my name is" or "Hi! Let me first introduce myself …" when sending your bio as a message.

If you’re writing a bio for an online platform, stating your name at the beginning works as well.

Leading with your name — even as a question — is important for recognition and building relationships.

2. State what you do.

Give people an idea of what you do daily and where you work. Your job title is how the people put you into context and consider whether your profession relates to their industry.

So detail your most relevant work in your short bios, like CEO, professor, and author.

Take a cue from Angela Duckworth , who specifies what she does in her LinkedIn bio:

3. Add key skills or areas of expertise.

If you send a bio to a client or potential employer, highlight your most valuable skills. For instance, if your expertise is in social media marketing and content creation, like Ivanka Dekoning , list these skills.

• A joke. "Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. At least that’s what I learned when I created…"
• Mention a hobby. "I’ll be honest: for me, tennis is life — Go Nadal!"
• A fun fact. "Every year, I watch 100 new films! I’m a cinephile and love every movie genre."
• A few emojis related to your interests. "🎶🤖🎾🎬🎭"

Whichever way you choose to get personal, give people a glimpse into who you are as an individual.

When writing a short bio, it can be tempting to pack in as much relevant information about yourself as possible — but this isn’t the most effective approach.

Instead, focus on including the details that you and your audience care about most and leave out the fluff.

Let's dive into a few examples of short professional bios.

Short Professional Bio Examples

• Tristen Taylor: Marketing Manager
• Lianna Patch: Copywriter
• Precious Oboidhe: Content Strategist and Writer
• Rebecca Bollwitt: Writer
• Megan Gilmore: Cookbook Author
• Bea Dixon: Feminine Care Founder
• Tammy Hembrow: Instagram Influencer
• Dr. Cody: Chiropractor
• Larry Kim: Founder
• Dharmesh Shah: Founder and CTO
• Lily Ugbaja: Content Strategist
• Ian Anderson Gray: Marketer
• Van Jones: Political Commentator, Author, and Lawyer

1. Tristen Taylor: Marketing Manager

Bio platform: blog byline.

Tristen Taylor is a Marketing Manager here at HubSpot. She's written content for HubSpot's Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service blogs; her blog author bio is one of my favorites.

What I love most about Tristen's bio is that it’s a great example of how to deliver information about yourself that is relevant to your work while also sharing fun details that audiences will find relatable.

Her bio reads:

"Building from her experience with GoCo.io and Southwest Airlines, Tristen's work has been recognized by Marketing Brew and BLACK@INBOUND. She lives in Washington, DC, attending anime conventions and painting in her free time."

Gilmore further includes a CTA link within her Instagram bio that leads followers to free, ready-to-use recipes. You might think, " Why would she do that since it discourages people from buying her book?"

But that couldn't be further from the truth.

By giving her followers the chance to try out her recipes, she's slowly turning leads into customers. After I tried a few of her Instagram recipes and loved them, I bought her book, knowing I'd like more of what she offered.

• The bio is short and direct.
• The CTA link includes an invitation for people to join her newsletter. Meaning, she can build her email list.

6. Bea Dixon : Feminine Care Founder

Bea Dixon, Founder and CEO of The Honey Pot Company, efficiently uses the space on her Instagram profile to highlight who she is as a well-rounded human — not just a businesswoman.

For instance, while she highlights her girl boss attitude with a tiara emoji, she equally calls attention to her fashion interests (Free People), her pets, Boss and Sadie, and her love for ramen noodles.

What more do you need to know?

Ian doesn't take his bio too seriously but uses every character to highlight everything about him.

He includes his skills as a marketer and podcast host, who he is outside work as a dad, and what he can help you do. His smiles also give the bio a sense of humor and realness.

Don't forget to share this post!

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50 states, 50 police heroes: How cops made an impact in 2020

Law enforcement stepped up through acts of heroism – big and small – to create some good in a year that desperately needed it.

Luna Pier Police Reserve Officers Keith Blosser and Kenneth Mentel deliver Rosanne Metcalf her prescription medicine and light bulbs. (Photo/TNS)

By Police1 Staff

We all needed a hero in 2020. As the year brought a seemingly endless onslaught of unprecedented challenges, law enforcement stepped up through acts of heroism – big and small – to create some good in a year that desperately needed it.

From providing aid to the most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic to throwing birthday parades for kids stuck at home, we’ve rounded up one act of police heroism from each of the 50 states – just a small sample of the excellent work LEOs do every day across the country.

Looking for more uplifting stories like these? Follow The Up-Beat – a monthly series we launched earlier this year that aims to bring greater attention to police acts of heroism and kindness. Email your police hero stories to [email protected] .

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=513944609321829&t=2

SRO creates interactive reading, singing, magic videos for homebound children

Deputy James Sellers was one of many cops who took to the internet to help keep kids stuck at home during the pandemic learning and engaged – and help lighten their parents’ load, as well! FULL STORY

https://www.facebook.com/AnchoragePolice/posts/1729759553851039

Anchorage cop helps pup find new home

A police officer in Anchorage helped a dog find a new home after spotting the animal running in the middle of traffic.

Cop adopts girl he comforted while working child abuse case

Officer Brian Zach stepped up when child services couldn’t find any family for the 4-year-old. FULL STORY

https://www.facebook.com/deandria.warren/posts/3163919203833677

SRO goes viral for daily prayer outside school

Officer DeAndra Warren prays each day for the students, administrators and staff he works alongside. FULL STORY

Cop saves man in wheelchair from oncoming train

Officer Erika Urrea only had seconds to save a man stuck on the tracks. FULL STORY

LEOs deliver pie for woman’s 102nd birthday

Many Americans had to skip birthday celebrations this year because of the pandemic. Cops in Arvada made sure Susie Montoya, who was celebrating her 102nd birthday, had a special one despite the circumstances.

Connecticut

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=201018421010267&t=92

Officers flip burning car, pull driver to safety

Officers pushed the burning vehicle back onto its wheels to rescue the woman inside. FULL STORY

https://twitter.com/NewarkDEPD/status/1314640190581936129

LEO saves hawk trapped in train station

The hawk had been trapped for several days.

Miami cop befriends teen who attacked him at BLM protest

Officer Raymon Washington turned a negative into a positive when his attacker asked to meet with him. FULL STORY

https://twitter.com/ATL26_Channel26/status/1311306480621154306

Atlanta cop gifts own car to mother of 5

Officer Veronica Campbell went above and beyond for a struggling mother who had recently fled a domestic abuser.

“I’m always trying to find different ways I can give and help people,” said Officer Campbell. FULL STORY

https://twitter.com/honolulupolice/status/1317285972417998848

Honolulu officer buys work boots for man in need

The man couldn’t start his new job because he didn’t have steel-toed boots.

“Random acts of kindness by police go unnoticed every day in our department,” said Officer Tiyani Mead. “I just did what any other officer would have done.”

https://www.facebook.com/436880919741926/videos/2227344997476954

Sheriff’s office gives out ‘tickets for turkeys’

The agency has given away over 500 turkeys in the annual program. FULL STORY

https://www.facebook.com/LislePoliceDepartment/posts/1261424917526416

LEO rescues 14-year-old from house fire

Officer Bill Wise was initially overcome by flames and smoke but managed to get the boy out. FULL STORY

Cop helps boy run lemonade stand, makes donation

The officer said he wants to show young kids that police are there to support them. FULL STORY

Davenport Police Officer Peme Canas shows some of the gear collected for the six-person Savoonga Police Department in Alaska. (Photo/TNS)

Iowa LEO collects equipment to outfit Alaska police department

After reading a news story about the challenges of rural policing in Alaska, Officer Peme Canas began collecting equipment and donations for one small town. FULL STORY

https://twitter.com/McPhersonPD/status/1323628473798320129

Cop saves owl tangled in soccer net

The Great Horned Owl was checked for injuries before being released.

While on a date, married off-duty LEOs stop masked robber

Det. Chase McKeown and Officer Nichole McKeown were at the right place at the right time. FULL STORY

https://www.facebook.com/NOPDNews/posts/3305502402834146

New Orleans officer who lost father to COVID-19 now wears his badge

Officer Mark Hall Sr. died one day before his son was to graduate from the training academy. FULL STORY

Cop helps raise thousands for Special Olympics

Lt. Matt Buttrick and other officers bought 18 gift cards from local restaurants and raffled them off, which not only raised money for the Special Olympics but also helped local eateries struggling during the pandemic.

Erica Dantzler via AP

Kids surprise cop with ice pop on hot summer day; he returns the favor

After a couple of kids provided an ice pop to help an officer cool off on a hot day, he was more than happy to surprise them with his own show of appreciation. FULL STORY

Massachusetts

https://www.facebook.com/NatickPolice/photos/a.538409362904790/2829435890468781/?type=3

Police share letter from a woman they saved after an overdose

The woman said the OD was a wake-up call that helped her break the cycle of addiction. FULL STORY

Police deliver essential items to elderly residents during the pandemic

“There’s elderly and shut-ins around here who are alone. Some don’t have anything. If we can help, we’re going to do that.” FULL STORY

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=965906423882527&t=0

PD debuts kids’ police truck filled with ice cream, video games, bike helmets

Cops handed out the free treats as a way to connect with the community. FULL STORY

Mississippi

Cop saves driver passed out in moving car

Officer Matthew Barnes found a woman passed out from a medical emergency after getting reports of a driver swerving erratically.

Single, broke mom donates lottery prize to a cop who was shot; he returns the favor

Police set up a GoFundMe for the woman after her kind gesture, which raised over $100K. FULL STORY

https://www.facebook.com/GFPolice/posts/3341216555933248

Police rescue trapped porcupine

The critter was stuck in a yard but was released back out into the wild thanks to the work of officers.

Officer, shopper take down shooter in Omaha grocery store

Deputy Chief Scott Gray was off duty and armed when a man entered the store with a gun. FULL STORY

Police provide turkey dinners to families in need

Officers handed out free turkey meals to over 200 families for the holidays.

New Hampshire

Off-duty cop helps save pilot after plane crashes into lake

Officer Joe Ponzo says he was vacationing at the right place at the right time. FULL STORY

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=598672021071687&t=0

Cop in kayak rescues dog trapped in pond

The boxer-mastiff mix, named Akela, was in high spirits after the rescue. FULL STORY

LEO saves young girl from standoff

The LEO negotiated for over two hours to get the girl out of the home.

Police, bystanders pull elderly couple from sinking car

The car had careened into a canal. FULL STORY

North Carolina

https://www.facebook.com/BarnesNC/posts/10218379887662317

Cop takes lunch break to share pizza with homeless woman

“I come to work and my method is, ‘Who can I bless today? Who can I make smile?’” Officer Michael Rivers said. FULL STORY

North Dakota

https://www.facebook.com/fargopolicedepartment/posts/10158717408528334

Fargo police donate clothing to the needy

The department held an internal drive to provide winter clothing to a local shelter.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3102108159881118&id=168998209858809

Cop steps in to marry couple after no minister available at courthouse

What initially appeared to be bad luck turned into a moment of serendipity for a couple in love, thanks to a local cop. FULL STORY

Cop called to house fire at own home, saves his family

Corporal Anthony Louie ran through a front porch that was engulfed in flames to save his family. FULL STORY

https://www.facebook.com/GilliamCountySheriff/posts/4035826149765788?__tn__=%2CO*F

Deputies team up to give hitchhiker ‘relay-race’ ride home

Four officers across four counties coordinated a carpool to make sure one man was able to get home safely from a court appearance. FULL STORY

Pennsylvania

https://www.facebook.com/JasonBonace/posts/3132349833443195

Officer responds to false alarm at school, ends up reading to class instead

K-9 Officer Jason Bonace took time out of his day to read Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat” to a classroom of second graders. FULL STORY

Rhode Island

https://www.facebook.com/warwickripd/posts/2617037625220645

Cop buys groceries for elderly woman who had no food

After responding to a welfare check, the officer asked the elderly woman for a grocery list and went to the store to buy her food.

South Carolina

Sheriff and world-champion martial artist team up to stop bullying

The partnership, which started with a children’s book, has evolved into a department-wide initiative where deputies will read to students online. FULL STORY

South Dakota

https://twitter.com/siouxfallspd/status/1331781942753316864

SROs help feed the hungry

School resource officers in Sioux Falls volunteered with Feeding South Dakota to help repack 29 pallets worth of food for those in need.

https://www.facebook.com/100014574756959/videos/848848442277640/

Officer provides water for protesters

The officer’s act was just one of many moments of police across the nation working to bridge the divide and begin the healing process by showing support to activists during the George Floyd protests this year .

Cops buy bedding, food for mother of 6 who fled abusive spouse

When officers showed up, the apartment was completely devoid of furniture. FULL STORY

Mom in need of formula calls 911, police come to the rescue

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NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller's alleged killer charged with first-degree murder of police officer

By Carolyn Gusoff , Ali Bauman

Updated on: March 29, 2024 / 5:31 AM EDT / CBS New York

NEW YORK --  The man accused of fatally shooting NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller has been charged with murder, police say. Diller was  shot and killed Monday  during a traffic stop in Far Rockaway, Queens.

Diller had been with the NYPD for three years and is remembered by fellow officers as a "cop's cop" who put others before himself and made people smile. The 31-year-old grew up in Franklin Square, where neighbors said he was the first to volunteer to help. He leaves behind a wife and 1-year-old son. 

Suspect in NYPD officer's death charged with murder

Police say 34-year-old Guy Rivera, of Queens, is now charged with first-degree murder of a police officer, attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the case. He remains hospitalized with injuries from the shootout.

"Police Officer Diller was a father, husband and son simply doing his job to serve and protect. He was killed for it. As alleged, the defendant opened fire and took the officer's life and tried to shoot another member of the NYPD," Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement announcing the charges. "We will not rest until we have achieved justice for Officer Diller, his family and his brothers and sisters in the NYPD who put their lives on the line to protect us."

Wake held for fallen NYPD Officer Diller in Massapequa

The charges were announced just hours before Diller's wake on Long Island. A thin blue line is painted down Merrick Road in the heart of Massapequa Park, where blue ribbons can be seen across the community.

A relentless rain seemed to mirror the flow of tears for a senseless loss of a young life.

At the Massapequa Funeral Home, loved ones, law enforcement and strangers came to honor one of New York's finest and support Diller's wife, who will now have to raise a 1-year-old without a dad.

"We're going to be donating a percentage of raffles and funds received directly to help support the family during this tragic time," said Michael Fay, with the With Purpose Foundation.

"He's only 1 years old and he's going to grow up without a dad, but he's going to have thousands of dads that are going to look after him," Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said.

Amid heavy security, former President Donald Trump visited for a half hour, speaking one-on-one with Diller's wife, Stepahnie, offering what observers called words of comfort.

"Twenty-one times arrested, this thug. And the person in the car with him was arrested many times, and they don't learn because they don't respect. They are not given the respect. The police are the greatest people we have," Trump said. "We have to stop it. We have to get back to law and order. We have to do a lot of things differently because this is not working. This is happening too often."

CBS New York has learned Trump had previously spoke with Diller's widow by phone. The White House said President Joe Biden also shared his condolences with New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the city's police force.

Watch Carolyn Gusoff's report

The shooting at the hands of an alleged repeat offender with an extensive criminal history has prompted outrage at New York's criminal justice laws.

"It's insanely sad and it should have never happened," one mourner said.

"What makes sense of this? It doesn't anymore, and you know what, rules and laws have got to change. Nobody is trying to look for a fight. Let's just get a change. Let's get in a room think this thing out and make a change that's good for everybody," Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said.

Among the mourners was Matt Panetta, Diller's St. Mary's High School lacrosse and hockey coach.

"He was well-liked among the faculty, his peers. Outgoing, personable, funny. Just a great kid," he said. "A prankster but funny in a good way, in a likeable way."

The wake drew the fallen officer's brothers in blue, neighbors in Massapequa Park and old friends from his hometown of Franklin Square.

"Driving past the elementary school, the flag at half staff, all the blue ribbons as you drove down the streets, it was tough," mourner Deanna Vollmer said.

"Put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, and unfortunately, this is one person that won't be coming home to their family," mourner Patrick McGrath said.

Hours before Diller was killed Monday, he shared a laugh with NYPD Officer John Groves.

"Every time you hung up the phone with him, it was, 'I love you, bye,' and if you didn't say it back, he was calling you and you'd pick up the phone and you'd just be like, 'Alright, I love you, Jon, bye,'" Groves said.

Groves had been Diller's partner in the 105 Precinct for two years.

"He was so incredibly brave about going to work, loving work, loving his wife and his son, that nothing-- you couldn't stop him from doing anything that he wanted to do," Groves said.

"It's the most tragic loss. And I couldn't imagine. None of us could image. I don't think it's really hit any of us, either. It's just such a huge loss. He was such a light," Groves' wife, Elizabeth Crayne, said.

Groves says his former partner decided to become a cop so he could do something to be proud of.

"He was very happy to be a cop, and beyond happy to be a father. He's just the happiest guy," he said.

Also offering solace was someone who knows the pain too well -- the widow of NYPD officer Paul Tuozzolo, who was also killed in the line of duty .

"When Paul was killed, a family surrounded me, my blue family surrounded me to make sure that my children and I were not forgotten, and we're all here just to do the same for her," Lisa Tuozzolo said.

Earlier Thursday morning, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced it will  pay off the mortgage on Diller's home . The COP-SHOT organization also pledged $10,000 toward his son's education, and the Promise of Hope Foundation said it will cover his funeral expenses. The New York Police and Fire Widows' Fund is donating $50,000.

More than half a million dollars was also raised through a GoFundMe.

Thursday is the first of two days of visitation, and traffic is expected to be heavy. Another wake is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Massapequa Funeral Home, followed by the funeral at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church.

• Far Rockaway
• Donald Trump

Carolyn Gusoff has covered some of the most high profile news stories in the New York City area and is best known as a trusted, tenacious, consistent and caring voice of Long Island's concerns.

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Georgia Republican official fined $5,000 for voting illegally nine times

Brian Pritchard, first vice-president of state party, voted in nine elections while on probation for 1996 forgery felony conviction

An official in the Georgia Republican party who has said the 2020 election was stolen was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and will receive a public reprimand for voting illegally nine times, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Thursday .

Brian Pritchard, the first vice-president of the state Republican party, illegally voted in nine elections from 2008 to 2010 while he was still on probation for a 1996 forgery felony conviction in Pennsylvania. Georgia and 14 other states require people to have completed their sentence, including probation, before they can vote. About 163,475 people could not vote in Georgia in 2022 because they were on felony probation, according to an estimate by the Sentencing Project , a criminal justice non-profit.

Pritchard, told Lisa Boggs, the administrative law judge overseeing the case, he believed his criminal sentence had expired and was not aware the criminal court in Pennsylvania had extended his probation until 2011 for allegedly failing to repay $38,000 in restitution.

Boggs wrote in her ruling she did not find that credible, noting that he had appeared in court several times while his probation was extended.

The state board of elections began investigating the matter in 2015 and referred it to a local district attorney’s office and the state attorney general in 2021. The state attorney general referred it to the administrative law judge the following year.

The Georgia Republican party did not respond to a request for comment.

The case underscores how confusing it can be for people with felony convictions to figure out if they can vote and comes as voters elsewhere in the country have faced harsher punishments for similar errors about their voting eligibility. While prosecutions and criminal sentences are difficult to compare across different jurisdictions, many say the disparate treatment is shaped by race .

In Memphis, a Black woman was sentenced to six years in prison after probation officials told her she was eligible to vote and she tried to register (a judge eventually threw out the sentence). In Florida, a voter fraud unit created by Governor Ron DeSantis has aggressively pursued charges against people with felony convictions who received voter registration cards in the mail. And in Texas, a Black woman was sentenced to five years in prison for trying to cast a provisional ballot while ineligible, even though the ballot was rejected (an appeal is pending).

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• US voting rights
• Republicans

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