9 Myths About Leaving Law Enforcement & What It Really Takes to Find a Career In Private Sector

Transitioning out of law enforcement is more than just a career change, it’s the beginning of a whole new chapter in life. For many officers, it can feel like leaving behind an identity, a mission, and a family. These emotions, paired with a lack of clear resources, often lead to hesitation, fear, or rushed decisions. Unfortunately, there's also a lot of misinformation out there about what life after the badge really looks like.

Let’s clear the air by breaking down some of the biggest myths and replacing them with hard-earned facts and specific steps you can take to move forward with confidence.

If you’re preparing for your next career after law enforcement, check out my free Heroes Job Search Guide... it includes my professional resume template, resume writing instructions, LinkedIn optimization strategies, and more. Download the guide here: https://www.recruitingheroesllc.com/heroes-job-search-guide

And when you’re ready to make your transition strategic and structured, explore my the flagship program called the Private Sector Ops Plan. With this program you receive everything you could possibly need to land your dream job including: a professionally written resume, an optimized LinkedIn profile, a cover letter, lifetime access to the Heroes Academy and Heroes Community and private coaching calls with me! Sign up here: https://www.recruitingheroesllc.com/offers/ujSMM7zp/checkout

Now check out these myths and let me know which one of them you've heard and maybe even believed before!

Myth #1: “I’m just a cop... my skills don’t apply to the civilian world.”

Fact: Law enforcement professionals possess a rare combination of leadership, communication, and decision-making skills that translate across nearly every industry.

One of the most common and painful misconceptions I hear is that officers believe they have “nothing to offer” outside the badge. In reality, you’ve done far more than you realize. You’ve led teams, handled crises, managed complex investigations, and operated under pressure — all while maintaining professionalism and accuracy. These translate directly to roles in project management, operations, logistics, compliance, risk management, and even IT or cybersecurity.

The challenge isn’t whether your skills are valuable, it’s how they’re communicated. Most hiring managers simply don’t understand police terminology. You have to translate your experience into plain business language that connects your results to real-world value.

Action Step: Start by rewriting one of your current job bullets into business language. For example:

• Instead of “Conducted criminal investigations,” write “Led complex investigations requiring data analysis, stakeholder coordination, and strategic decision-making.” Do this for every bullet on your resume. Struggling?, join the Heroes Academy to learn how to translate your experience for multiple industries and if you want it done for you, my Private Sector Ops Plan ensures your resume and LinkedIn speak the private sector’s language fluently.

Myth #2: “If I leave early, I’m throwing away my career.”

Fact: Leaving early doesn’t erase your accomplishments, it expands what your career can become.

Many officers stay in the profession out of fear... fear of losing their pension, identity, or sense of purpose. But the truth is, leaving early is not quitting; it’s evolving. Every year of service has built your leadership, resilience, and emotional intelligence. You’ve been trained to operate under pressure, to protect others, and to lead by example, skills highly sought after in corporate and government sectors.

Trust me you are not alone. I left law enforcement after only 8 years and well over 50% of the candidates I work with are those leaving the profession before the typical 20 or 25 year mark. 

Leaving early is only a mistake if you do it without a plan. The key is to transition with intention, not impulse.

Action Step: Before resigning, create a Transition Readiness Checklist:

1. Meet with your pension or HR department to understand your benefits and vesting timeline.
2. Identify at least three industries that interest you (use LinkedIn Jobs to research).
3. Begin building your professional network 6–12 months before leaving.
4. Enroll in the Heroes Academy to create your step-by-step exit plan and timeline.

Myth #3: “My only real option after law enforcement is security or investigations.”

Fact: Security and investigations are great fits for some, but your skills can take you into dozens of other industries.

Yes, many former officers find success in private security or investigative roles, but that’s not your only option. Your skills are transferable to IT, cybersecurity, risk management, emergency management, insurance, HR, compliance, operations, or project management. You’ve been leading people, analyzing patterns, managing crises, and making data-driven decisions. Those skills are the foundation of success in countless corporate roles. I'm proud to have helped my candidates land roles in 15+ different industries! 

Action Step: Start exploring job titles outside your comfort zone. On LinkedIn, search for roles like “Operations Manager,” “Security Analyst,” or “Compliance Specialist.” Read the job descriptions closely and underline skills you already possess. You’ll quickly see how your background fits. The Heroes Academy includes a “Career Mapping Exercise” that matches your law enforcement experience to industries and positions you may have never considered before.

Myth #4: “It’s too late for me to change careers.”

Fact: It’s never too late to reinvent yourself and your experience gives you a major edge.

I’ve worked with officers who transitioned successfully in their 40s, 50s, even 60s. What employers truly value is reliability, composure, and judgment, traits you’ve developed in abundance. Reinvention is about positioning yourself for your next chapter, not starting over.

Action Step:

1. Identify what part of your police career you loved most: leadership, problem-solving, mentoring, or other area.
2. Explore how that translates into other industries (for example, leadership → management, mentoring → training & development).
3. Upskill strategically. Consider short-term certifications (like CompTIA Security+, PMP, or CISM) that boost your credibility.

Myth #5: “I’ll figure it out after I resign.”

Fact: Going in blind leads to financial stress and career frustration. Preparation is power.

Far too many officers wait until they’re burned out to plan their next move. Without a roadmap, you risk running out of money or direction. This job market is far too competitive to not have a plan. Your transition should be treated like a tactical operation with an objective, a strategy, and a support team.

Action Step: Create a six-month Exit Strategy Plan:

• Month 1–2: Financial prep - calculate expenses, understand benefits.
• Month 3–4: Career prep - build your resume, optimize LinkedIn.
• Month 5–6: Networking and interviews —-connect with recruiters and alumni. Inside the Private Sector Ops Plan, I build your resume and LinkedIn personally and give you the exact roadmap to follow so you can leave on your terms, not out of desperation. Plus you get lifetime access to the transformational Heroes Academy and Heroes Community.

Myth #6: “LinkedIn isn’t for cops.”

Fact: LinkedIn is your most powerful career transition weapon.

LinkedIn is where employers go to find and vet talent. It’s not social media, it’s a professional database of opportunity. Every major employer uses LinkedIn to post jobs and search for candidates. It’s where your next career can start but only if you use it strategically.

Action Step:

1. Add a professional headshot in uniform or business attire.
2. Write a headline that focuses on what you want: “Operations & Risk Management | Leadership | Crisis Response.”
3. Connect with five people each week in your target industry.
4. Share a post about your professional values or experience once a month (more if you can!). 

Myth #7: “I’ll lose my identity without the badge.”

Fact: Your badge represented your mission not your identity. You’ll always carry your values forward.

This is one of the most emotional challenges officers face. Law enforcement isn’t just a job; it’s a calling. But remember, your mission was never the badge itself. It was the service behind it. Those same values... integrity, courage, leadership... can power your next chapter.

Action Step:

1. Write down three things you loved about serving (helping others, leading teams, solving problems).
2. Identify careers that let you do those same things in a new way.
3. Join the Heroes Academy identity module, where we guide you through rediscovering your purpose beyond the uniform and channeling it into your new career.

Myth #8: “Civilian employers won’t understand or appreciate my background.”

Fact: When you tell your story the right way, your background becomes your biggest advantage.

Most hiring managers don’t ignore your background because they don’t value it, they just don’t understand it. Your job is to translate your experience into results they recognize. That’s where a well-crafted resume and LinkedIn profile make all the difference.

Action Step:

1. Translate your achievements into measurable results - for example: “Led 8-person team that reduced incidents by 22% through proactive strategy.”
2. Avoid police-specific jargon; use industry-neutral terms like “operations,” “stakeholder communication,” and “compliance.”
3. Invest in a professionally written resume. Doesn't have to be with me but hiring a professional to articulate and highlight your experience and value will repay your investment ten fold. 

Myth #9: “I have to do this alone.”

Fact: The most successful transitions happen in community, not isolation.

Transitioning can feel lonely, but you don’t have to walk the path solo. Community brings accountability, guidance, and encouragement. That’s why the Heroes Academy includes lifetime access to the Heroes Community, a network of current and former officers sharing jobs, strategies, and motivation.

Action Step: Join professional LinkedIn groups related to your target industry, start networking before you need a job, and surround yourself with others who’ve walked this road. The Heroes Community ensures you never have to face your transition without support.

Final Thoughts

Transitioning from law enforcement is challenging but it’s also one of the most rewarding journeys you’ll ever take. It’s your chance to rediscover who you are, define success on your own terms, and create a life that reflects both your service and your potential.

Don’t let fear or misinformation stop you. With the right strategy, support, and community, you can make the move confidently and build the next chapter of your career with purpose and pride.

If I can ever be of help, please reach out. Message me here on LinkedIn or email me at [email protected].

Stay safe, Heroes!

Colin