Tennessee Police Jobs Outlook
Individuals hoping to find work in law enforcement in Tennessee can look forward to growth in the industry. Between now and 2026 the number of positions is expected to grow by 7.5%, with an average of 960 job opportunities each year .8 The average annual salary for sheriffs deputies and patrol officers in Tennessee is currently $44,320.1
For more information about current law enforcement openings, take a look at our police jobs board.
Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy
I am pleased to announce the phased reopening of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy and POST Commission facilities. As you are all aware, current health concerns are compounded by the realities of a large residential law enforcement academy. In order to reopen as responsibly as possible, Governor Lee has approved us to begin training in very limited groups.
Please note that all students will undergo initial Covid-19 testing and periodic screening thereafter. Students attending Specialized classes will be required to reside on campus and will not be permitted to leave campus until the completion of training. Students attending POST Transition School or Basic Law Enforcement School will be required to reside on campus and will not be permitted to leave campus during the training week. They will be allowed to return to their homes on weekends but will be retested or screened upon their return for the next weeks training.
POST Commission employees will continue to provide support to agencies by working from home. The physical facilities will remain closed to visitors unless an appointment has been specifically arranged. If you have a question regarding LEOSA, please contact 741-4461.
The Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy was authorized by the 1963 General Assembly for the purpose of training state, county and city law enforcement officers. The Academy was brought under the Department of Safety in 1983.
Becoming A Police Officer In Nashville Tennessee
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department supports jobs for more than 1,300 sworn personnel and responds to an estimated 750,000 calls per year. Since the inception of the Training Division and Academy in 1970, the MNPD has graduated more than 2,200 police officers and provided numerous hours of continuous in-house training to its law enforcement staff.
Here you will learn how to become a police officer in Nashville in just 6 steps:
Step 1. Meet Employment Standards and Submit an Application
Before being considered as a potential candidate, you will need to meet the police officer requirements set forth by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department:
- Complete at least 2 years, equivalent to 60 semester hours, of general studies at an accredited college/university and maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better
- Or have completed at least 2 years active military duty without dishonorable discharge
- Or have a high school diploma/GED in addition to 2 years of previous uniformed law enforcement experience. Tennessee POST certification required
- Or have a high school diploma/GED and at least 5 years of full-time, verifiable work history
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Becoming A Police Officer In Clarksville Tennessee
The City of Clarksville has been recognized as the 9th fastest growing city in the United States, and it is also the 5th largest city in Tennessee. If you want to serve this growing city by protecting its residents and upholding its statutes, review this guide that details what it takes to qualify for jobs with the Clarksville police department.
Here you will learn how to become a Clarksville police officer in just seven steps:
- Meet Application Requirements
- Academy and Field Training Programs
Step 1. Meet Application Requirements
In order to apply for a job as a police officer with the Clarksville Police Department, you will need to meet these application requirements:
- At least 21 years old
- High school diploma/GED
- Valid/current drivers license
- If you have a military history, you must have an honorable discharge
- No prior felony convictions. The Peace Officer Standard and Training Commission of Tennessee may issue a waiver of this excluding a history of felony convictions or domestic violence charges
Step 2. Submit an Application
You will need to return your completed application to the Tennessee Career Center in Clarksville. The Clarksville Police Department requires that both your application and a release of information form be completed and notarized before you can submit your application.
If you have questions about the submitting your application, you can contact the Clarksville Police Department Recruiting Office at 931-553-5111.
Step 3. Testing and Employment Process
Proposal To Review Police Agreement
Some board members expressed concern with the mayor’s June 12 date versus the timeline proposed by Watson. Watson’s proposed timeline runs through September, allowing time to gather input from community members.
The board discussed alternate options for the resolution, including changing the schedule and options for the committees.
Watson said the board has considered agreements in the past after two different school shootings that made national news. He said that while he didnt create the resolution because of the recent death of Anthony Thompson Jr., he said this incident could be another reason to reconsider the agreement.
I think some in our community would say there has been an inciting event where it makes sense to relook at the , he said.
The move for more community input is especially relevant as Knoxville continues to respond to the aftermath of a police officer shooting and killing Thompson.
He said everyone wants students to feel safe but it’s important that community members are able to share their experiences on what would make their families feel safe.
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Police Departments In Tennessee
With the great diversity of regions in Tennessee, anyone hoping to work as a cop for a local police department has a lot of options. From metros to suburbs and remote rural areas, Tennessee police work in a variety of environments. To become a police officer anywhere in the state, individuals must apply with a police department, meet all of the local agencys requirements in addition to those set by POST, be offered employment, and then pass a state training course.
Minimum Requirements To Be A Police Officer In Tennessee
SUMMARY
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Frequently Asked Questions About A Security Police Officer Salaries
The average salary for a Security Police Officer is US$54,275 per year in Knoxville, TN, United States Area. Salaries estimates are based on 21 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Security Police Officer employees in Knoxville, TN, United States Area.
The highest salary for a Security Police Officer in Knoxville, TN, United States Area is US$86,795 per year.
The lowest salary for a Security Police Officer in Knoxville, TN, United States Area is US$33,940 per year.
Tennessee Trooper Or Highway Patrol Requirements
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is responsible for patrolling state highways, enforcing laws, serving motorists, investigating crash and crime scenes in state jurisdiction, preparing for disasters, and providing safety education. Prospective recruits must apply with the THP and meet the following requirements in addition to those set by POST:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have a valid drivers license
- Have binocular vision correctable to 20/20
- Have normal color vision
- Not have any tattoos that cannot be covered at all times
- Not have any history of disqualifying misdemeanors or lesser charges
Trooper cadets earn a starting salary of $2,859 per month, rising to $3,163 per month after graduation from the 22-week trooper training academy.2 After 10 years of service, troopers can make a base salary of $53,928 per year.2
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Qualifying To Become A Detective With The In Knoxville Police Department
The first step to becoming a criminal investigator in Knoxville, Tennessee is to meet all five basic requirements that qualify police officer recruits. 1) All recruits must be at least twenty-one years old. 2) All recruits must be United States citizens. 3) All recruits must hold a valid drivers license. 4) All recruits must have a high school diploma or equivalent education. 5) All recruits must be free of any felony convictions.
Testing for New Recruits According to the Knoxville Police Department, job applicants that meet all basic job requirements can advance further into the hiring process to receive interviews and preliminary job orientations. New recruits are also subjected to an intense succession of tests to determine career compatibility. Example include:
- Civil service written examination
- Medical analysis
- Review panel appraisal
Degrees for Criminal Investigators Criminal investigators are only required to have a high school diploma or equivalent level of education to work in Knoxville. However, this minimum requirement does not adequately reflect the current educational standards for this profession. In fact, studies conducted by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development reveal that among potential candidates for criminal investigation positions in the state, 75.68% hold a bachelors degree while 16.22% hold a masters degree. Examples of academic degrees for law enforcement students in Tennessee include:
- Firearms
- Arrest Procedures
Police Training Academies In Tennessee
All prospective law enforcement officers in Tennessee must complete a training course at a POST-approved law enforcement academy, typically the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy . Approved Tennessee police academies include:
- Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy Nashville, TN
- Cleveland State Community College Basic Police Academy Cleveland, TN
- Memphis Police Academy Memphis, TN
- Knoxville Police Department Training Division Knoxville, TN
- Metro Nashville Police Academy, Nashville TN
Prospective police trainees must typically be formally hired by a police department to attend a police academy. However, the academy will consider college seniors studying criminal justice with a recommendation from a counselor on a case-by-case basis. For more information about Tennessee police academies, visit the TLETA website.
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Becoming A Police Officer In Chattanooga Tennessee
The Chattanooga Police Department is a multidivisional, CALEA-accredited organization serving the 4th largest city in Tennessee and its more than 170,000 residents. The Uniformed Services Division alone supports jobs for nearly 350 sworn and civilian personnel.
Step 1. Meet Minimum Qualifications/Complete Application
The Chattanooga Police Department defines the following minimum qualifications for police officer positions:
General Qualifications
- Be 21 years of age but less than 40
- High school diploma/GED
- Be a United States citizen
- Birth certificate/Tennessee state drivers license
- Copy of DD214 if you have military experience
- No prior felony convictions or serious misdemeanors
- Be a Tennessee resident
- Meet all requirements of Police Officer I
- 3 years of law enforcement experience
- Training in 6 specialty areas
- Previous training in supervision/leadership
Police Officer III
- Meet all requirements of Police Officer II
- 5 years of law enforcement experience
- Training in 2 specialty areas
- Previous training in supervision/leadership
In order to submit your application to the Chattanooga Police Department, you may contact them via or call 423-757-5200.
Step 2. Written Examination/Physical Ability Test
- Reading/understanding
- Biographical inventory
Step 3. Preliminary Interview and Background Investigation
Step 4. Final Interview
Step 5. Academy Training
- Building search
- Traffic accident investigation
Step 6. Field Training Program
Frequently Asked Questions About A Police Officer Salaries
The average salary for a Police Officer is $48,774 per year in Knoxville, TN Area. Salaries estimates are based on 11 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Police Officer employees in Knoxville, TN Area.
The highest salary for a Police Officer in Knoxville, TN Area is $71,104 per year.
The lowest salary for a Police Officer in Knoxville, TN Area is $33,457 per year.
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One Dead Officer Wounded In Tennessee School Shooting
No one else was killed or wounded at Austin-East Magnet High School in Knoxville, a city about 180 miles east of Nashville, police said. A male has been detained. Police said they responded to the school around 3:15 p.m. and when they encountered a male with a gun, shots were fired.
Upon approach of the subject, shots were fired, Knoxville Police Department posted on Facebook. A Knoxville Police officer was struck at least one time and transported to the hospital with injuries that are not expected to be life-threatening.
Speaking from outside a hospital, Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon told WATE-TV that she spoke with the wounded officer and that he was conscious and in good spirits.
The police post said a male died at the school, which is not far from the citys zoo and Interstate 40. A map of the neighborhood shows the school is in a residential area.
Three students from Austin-East Magnet High School have been shot to death away from the campus less than three weeks apart this year, police said. Administrators have said students felt the arts magnet school was a safe space, according to a story in the Knoxville News Sentinel.
State Rep. Sam McKenzie, who represents the district and went to the school, said in a statement, I am at a loss to describe my sadness as yet another horrific act of gun violence has happened in my community, urging the community to reclaim the sanctity of our beloved neighborhood.
Becoming A Police Officer In Memphis Tennessee
The Memphis Police Department is a multifaceted agency that supports jobs for more than 2,500 sworn personnel and 441 civilian personnel. In 2010 alone, the Uniform Patrol Division of this massive law enforcement agency responded to more than 950,000 calls.
Here you will find information on how to become a police officer in Memphis in just nine steps:
Step 1. Meet the Minimum Requirements and Submit Your Application
The Memphis Police Department recently reinstated college credit requirements for police recruits. In order to be considered for available jobs with the Memphis Police Department, you must meet the following police officer requirements:
- Completion of a minimum of 54 semester hours of college credit through an accredited school
- Or 2 years continuous military service with honorable discharge
- Or 3 years employment as an officer working in a police department with at least 20 officers
Submit your application here.
Step 2. Complete the 1-1/2-mile Run
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Criminal Investigations Division Units Within The Knoxville Police Department
According to the Knoxville Police Department, the Criminal Investigations Division houses the second largest staff in the department. Investigators work with specialists, technicians, supervisors and other law enforcement professionals promote the functionality of the CIDs five units:
- Violent Crimes Unit: Detectives assigned to the Violent Crimes Unit are responsible for handling reported crimes involving incidents of murder, rape, kidnapping, suspicious deaths, suicide, assault and robbery.
- Property Crimes Unit:Detectives assigned to the Property Crimes Unit have the authority over all criminal cases where property is a prominent factor.
- Family Crimes Unit:Detectives assigned to the Family Crimes Unit focus on offenses pertaining to child abuse, domestic violence. Mistreatment of the elderly, runaways, missing persons, and sexual abuse of minors.
- Organized Crime Unit:Detectives assigned to the Organized Crime Unit specialize in infiltrating organized crime groups that commit offenses such as drug trafficking, prostitution and gambling.
- Forensics Unit:Detectives assigned to the Forensics Unit are charged with the scientific elements involved in crime solving. These elements include: crime scenes, photographing, fingerprinting, polygraphing and NIBNS.
Kpd Deputy Chief Placed On Administrative Leave For More Than A Month Internal Investigation Underway
KNOXVILLE, Tenn FRIDAY UPDATE: In mid-August, the Knoxville Police Department inexplicably placed one of its highest-ranking officers on administrative leave with pay.
More than a month later, KPD said Deputy Chief Ron Green still hasn’t returned to work because of an ongoing internal affairs investigation.
A KPD spokesperson said he “cannot elaborate on the nature of the internal investigation or offer additional comment while that investigation is still ongoing.”
10News is continuing to ask questions regarding the nature of this investigation.
Here is what we know as of Friday:
On August 13, KPD Chief Eve Thomas sent Green a letter informing him that he would be placed on administrative leave for five working days with pay.
Text messages obtained by 10News show Chief Thomas extended Green’s administrative leave multiple times because the internal affairs unit had not interviewed him.
Green is not allowed to work any extra jobs while on administrative leave, according to the text messages.
Thomas texted Green “it is not good for you or the Dept to be on extended admin leave.”
Green texted Thomas he still has “no idea what any of this is about anyway.”
PERSONNEL FILE
We also don’t know, so we asked for Green’s personnel file. Twenty-seven years of documents revealed how he rose from through the department’s ranks from recruit to deputy chief.
He was in the lowest 25% of his unit in terms of productivity that spring. He was promoted to police officer that fall.
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