A police officer from Los Angeles and a dedicated public servant, I am as comfortable working in the office as walking the beat. A compassionate man, I have always struggled to do what is right, even though it is often difficult for police officers to figure out what that entails in any given situation. I hope to enroll in and complete your Master of Public Policy and Administration--Distance Learning Program and I write what follows below in support of my application. I want to study in your program at ____ because it is an excellent school in a convenient location that will enable me to perform my graduate work without career interruption as a police officer. I am most pleased with the technical milestones that have been conquered and mastered by your innovative learning program with web-based, real-time, interactive sessions among students and with the faculty. I look forward to the way that your program will accelerate my professional growth. I majored in Psychology for my B.A. from ____ University and feel wonderfully comfortable in the ____ system. I now wish to continue my studies in the innovative ____ MPA Program. This master’s degree is the most relevant subject area for advancement to higher administrative levels of responsibility, managing officers, and networking with the community. My long-term goal is to be promoted to the position of Police Commander in Los Angeles.
First, I am looking forward to becoming a Police Lieutenant and then a Captain. Currently, I am the Officer in Charge of an Area Vice unit and the assistant Watch Commander. I have managed and taught officers for eight years now and I am considered one of the leaders in my division. I was transferred to the division where I am currently serving to work with problematic officers and supervisors. This is testimony to my level of professional skill in communication, problem-solving, and general human resource management issues. I know how to guide, motivate, direct, and communicate with people in a highly effective manner. I now have a total of 12 years of experience in the Law enforcement Field and I see this as one of the strongest aspects of my application to your program.
The greatest contribution that I might be able to make to society would be to learn how to better manage officers and develop new ways to teach officers how to give 100% in their efforts to better serve our community. I am drawn to your program since it is geared toward people who are already working in the public sector. I want to advance the leadership skills that I have already attained through many years of experience with the LAPD, the San Diego Sheriff's Department, and the United States Marine Corps. I want to become an effective leader and an excellent role model for younger African American men and boys.
I am a native Californian to the core, raised in the San Fernando Valley, North Hollywood, and Van Nuys; yet the Marine Corps helped to broaden my global consciousness since it allowed me to travel. But it was good to come home. I am immensely proud of my city and proudly wear the badge of the LAPD. While we have had even more than our share of problems, particularly as a Black officer, I am happy to be part of the solution as well. After graduating Cum Laude with my associate degree in administration of justice in 2002, I became hooked on education and subsequently finished my BS in Professional Studies at ____ in 2007. I am especially interested in doing graduate work in Public Management and Public Policy. These two areas go hand in hand with my line of work since I serve as a public official in the non-profit/public sector field. Earning the MPA would enable me to have a much greater influence on how the Department operates and help us work towards the progressive changes that are needed in so many areas, especially concerning heightened multicultural sensitivities.
Since I already have 12 years invested in the LAPD and I am still young, I look forward to serving my community as a teacher after another 10 years or so as a police officer. Your program will help to prepare me to someday teach the Administration of Justice at the community college level. Inspired by your program, I may also decide to pursue a Doctorate at some point. A firm believer in lifelong education, I heartily endorse one of the LAPD's “Core Values”: “Quality Through Continuous Improvement.” As a highly experienced Police Sergeant, I supervise a platoon of officers that patrol the street. I investigate complaints of misconduct by our officers, which has helped me to master extensive amounts of technical writing. I am highly motivated and have many reasons for wanting to complete your program. I want to become an excellent role model for my community and for all my nephews and nieces to emulate by struggling to change the face of law enforcement to better serve our community. As an African American, I strongly believe that the more diverse the LAPD, the more effective it will become in conflict avoidance and resolution. Thus, I see my own first-hand experience of the struggles of the African American community to be of critical importance to the cultivation of diversity appreciation and multi-cultural consciousness in our police force.
MPA Personal Statement Samples