A Strategic Approach to Transitioning from Police Work to the Business World
Transitioning from a career in law enforcement to the private sector business world is a significant journey that requires meticulous planning, adaptation, and a strategic mindset. For many in the law enforcement profession, retirement and the almighty pension is the driving force behind a long 20-year career, but for some, the chance to retire is cut short for any number of reasons. The sooner you develop a plan for what life after law enforcement looks like, the better.
Preparation and Self-Assessment
Before embarking on the transition from police work to the private sector, it's crucial to undertake thorough preparation and self-assessment. Law enforcement professionals possess a rich skill set that is highly applicable to the business world. Skills such as leadership, crisis management, decision-making under pressure, conflict resolution, and strong ethical standards are valuable assets. Before transitioning, it's essential to identify your aptitude with these transferable skills and understand how they align with roles in the private sector.
Don’t underestimate how emotional and personally challenging this assessment and transition can be. Whether you were in law enforcement for 10, 20, or 30 years, the job often becomes your identity. The sense of loss that comes from accepting you are no longer a cop—along with any unprocessed trauma from a career in law enforcement—can begin to feel like, “too much.” You need to be the best version of yourself when you are applying for and interviewing for these new roles.
“Be active and intentional in your preparations,” says Dr. Medina Baumgart, author of Surviving Retirement: Finding Purpose and Fulfillment Beyond the Badge, and a licensed psychologist who is board certified in police and public safety psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology. Those making this transition should remember that they are not doing it alone. “Remember to engage with your family a lot during this stage, because they are making the transition, too,” she adds.
Baumgart observes that those individuals who have a good work–life balance and hobbies outside of law enforcement tend to have better transition outcomes than those who tie their entire identity to their work.
Research various industries and roles within the private sector that align with your skills, interests, and career aspirations. Consider industries such as security management, risk assessment, corporate investigations, compliance, or operations management—all fields where your law enforcement background can be leveraged effectively. You may also feel drawn to sales or a host of other disciplines. The key is to focus on where your skills are most transferable.
Building a network within the private sector is crucial for gaining insights into industry norms, job opportunities, and expectations. Attend industry events, connect with professionals through platforms like LinkedIn, and consider seeking mentorship from individuals who have successfully transitioned from law enforcement to business.
While law enforcement experience provides a solid professional foundation, understanding business fundamentals is essential for success in corporate settings. Consider taking courses or workshops in areas such as business management, finance, marketing, or entrepreneurship to strengthen your knowledge base if you don’t already have experience in budget and personnel management. If you come from a department where you had to manage a budget and effectively plan for expenditures, you can translate that experience to the private sector.
In the private sector, the ability to articulate and sell outcomes is paramount. Reflect on past experiences where your actions resulted in measurable outcomes such as improved community relations, crime reduction, or successful crisis management. To catch hiring managers’ attention, translate these achievements into business terms and demonstrate how your skills can contribute to achieving corporate objectives and generating tangible results.
During the Transition: Adaptation and Integration
Navigating the transition phase requires adaptability, resilience, and proactive engagement. Tailor your résumé and LinkedIn profile to highlight relevant skills and accomplishments from your law enforcement career. Focus on demonstrating leadership, problem-solving abilities, risk assessment, and your track record of delivering outcomes.
Engage with mentors or career coaches who can provide insights into corporate culture, interview techniques, and professional development strategies. Their guidance can help you navigate challenges and accelerate your integration into the private sector.
“In this stage, it’s all about managing expectations,” says Baumgart says. It is common for hiring processes to take a minimum of three to six weeks after a job posting has closed.
Recognize that transitioning careers may involve starting at entry level positions again to initially gain industry-specific experience and establish credibility. Embrace these roles as opportunities to learn, grow, and showcase your ability to adapt to new environments and responsibilities. Showing that you are a team player in these roles will be an enormous asset to your overall personal brand. But have patience—your career in law enforcement does not guarantee you a new role any quicker.
Do yourself a favor and have an industry expert look over and tweak your résumé to the corporate setting, ensuring your transferable skills are highlighted to the role in which you are seeking. Be prepared to explain how your previous experience will allow you handle scenarios the company faces or could face.
Realize that almost nothing in a corporate environment is a life or death, split-second decision. You will have time to think about a problem and a solution. You may even have a team to lean on for a collaborative solution, so use that to your advantage. Many former law enforcement professionals have a far higher stress tolerance than many private sector colleagues. Be able to articulate to a hiring manager or employer how you can use that to your advantage when working through challenging situations.
Adapt your communication style to suit corporate settings, focusing on clarity, professionalism, and the ability to articulate your ideas and strategies. Practice presenting your achievements and the outcomes of your actions in a manner that resonates with business stakeholders and decision-makers. This is good practice for daily life in the private sector, not just the hiring process.
Law enforcement professionals tend to speak “only the facts and just the facts.” The private sector, no matter the industry, requires much more than the basic facts. If you have friends who work in the private sector, ask them to talk about how they go about getting their ideas and strategies across to others in their business. This might feel like sales or spin, but remember, as a peace officer, you worked in sales every day. Maybe you had to sell someone on the idea that a speeding ticket was in their best interest or on the idea that maybe their neighbor really wasn’t out to get them because the fence was 2 inches from their property line. The point is: you sold ideas every day, and that skill is useful beyond policing.
After the Transition: Integration and Career Advancement
Once you are established in the private sector, focus on continuous growth, development, and leveraging your unique perspective. Stay abreast of industry trends, technological advancements, and evolving business practices through ongoing education, professional development programs, and networking opportunities. Continuously updating your skills and knowledge enhances your value proposition and ensures relevance in an always-changing business environment.
Your law enforcement background provides a distinctive viewpoint on risk management, crisis response, and security protocols. Position yourself as a subject matter expert in these areas and contribute where you can to organizational resilience, strategic planning, and operational efficiency.
In business, success is often measured by tangible outcomes and results. Continually strive to demonstrate your ability to deliver measurable outcomes, whether it’s improving security protocols, enhancing operational efficiency, or mitigating risks. Showcase these achievements to stakeholders and decision-makers to reinforce your credibility and value within the organization.
Defining short-term and long-term career goals will help you stay on track with where you want to be and end up. Whether aiming for leadership roles, transitioning into specialized consultancy, or exploring entrepreneurial opportunities, having clear objectives guides your professional growth and decision-making.
As you progress in your career, consider offering mentorship and guidance to others transitioning from law enforcement to the private sector. Sharing your experiences, insights, and lessons learned not only supports others but also reinforces your expertise and leadership within the industry.
Transitioning from police work to the private sector business world is a transformative journey that requires careful planning, adaptation, and continuous learning. By leveraging transferable skills, focusing on selling outcomes, managing expectations, and embracing opportunities for growth and development, former law enforcement professionals can successfully navigate this career transition and thrive in their new professional endeavors.
Jessica Flores is a veteran law enforcement officer and owner of Next Shift, LLC. She works with current and former law enforcement officers to help them adapt to and embrace life after law enforcement.
Michael Bailey, Sr., CPP, is a 29-year veteran of law enforcement and security operations. He currently fulfills the role of senior manager, global security operations and strategy for Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and he is a member of the ASIS Security Services Steering Committee.
