Recent Listing

Posted: January 5, 2026 (10 days ago)

This job has been posted for 1-2 weeks. Still a good time to apply.

Police Officer Trainee

Metro Nashville

Metro Nashville Police Department

Recent

Location

Salary

From $65,097

per year

Closes

February 2, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job is for a trainee position in the Metro Nashville Police Department, where you'll go through classroom and hands-on training to learn how to become a police officer, covering topics like laws, safety, and community interactions.

After completing the program, you'll start patrolling and handling real police work.

It's a good fit for motivated individuals who are physically active, have some education or experience, and want a career serving the community in a busy city like Nashville.

Key Requirements

  • At least 21 years old by the start of training
  • U.S. citizen or eligible permanent legal resident (honorably discharged veteran) with citizenship application within 6 years
  • 60 semester hours from an accredited college with 2.0 GPA, OR high school diploma/GED plus 2 years active military (honorable discharge), OR 2 years certified law enforcement experience, OR 3 years full-time responsible work experience
  • Valid driver's license
  • Pass a medical examination per city standards
  • Submit required documents: birth certificate, high school diploma/GED, official college transcripts (if applicable), DD214 (if military), P.O.S.T. certification (if prior officer)
  • Ability to work any shift, including nights, weekends, and holidays in a 24/7 operation

Full Job Description

Attends and completes an in-service and field training program in police science. Performs related duties as required.

SALARY

$65,097.00 annual salary rate for weeks 1-24

$69,718.00 annual salary rate for weeks 25-50 (Police Officer 1)
$71,809.54 w/Associate's Degree, $73,901.08 w/Bachelor's Degree

$74,464.00 annual salary rate starting at week 51 (Police Officer 2)
$76,697.92 w/Associate's Degree, $78,931.84 w/Bachelor's Degree



The Metro Nashville Police Department is a 24/7 operation. Employees must be able to work any day and/or shift, as needed, to include weekends, holidays and other mandated assignments.

Requirements

This classification spends considerable time in a classroom environment and requires some physical exertion such as running, walking, climbing, bending, stooping, stretching, or similar activities.

Completes a basic training program that consists of courses in criminal law, firearms training, physical training, first aid, traffic accident investigation, traffic law enforcement, human relations, crime scene research, riot control, patrol procedures, departmental policies, report writing, and other related areas.

Qualifications

At least sixty (60) semester hours of course work from an accredited college or university with an overall G.P.A.

of 2.0 ("C" average) or above*** OR ***High School/GED Diploma or Transcript plus one of the following:* at least two (2) years active military duty (Honorable Discharge)* at least two (2) years as a full-time, certified (Tennessee P.O.S.T.

Certification or equivalent State certification) active law enforcement officer* three (3) years responsible, full-time work experience*** No Other Substitutions ***NOTE: Once hired, employees are required to successfully complete the Metro Nashville Police Training Academy.

LICENSES REQUIREDValid Driver LicenseADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS1. Must be a minimum of 21 years of age by the time you start the MNPD Training Academy.2. A U.S.

citizen at the time of hire, or per Tennessee House Bill 0765, a permanent legal resident of the United States who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces may be employed as a Police Officer.

The officer must apply for or obtain citizenship within six (6) years of the employment start date.3.

Must pass a medical examination with standards set out in the Metropolitan Charter and applicable Civil Service policies.Review the Police Officer Trainee Employment Standards before applying.The following required documents MUST be submitted at the time of application: Birth Certificate High School Diploma or GED Official College Transcripts - If you wish to qualify under the college path, we need a copy of your official college transcript.

Transcripts Issued To Student are accepted only if they include the registrar's signature/seal (showing 60 semester hours and 2.0 GPA).Military Discharge, DD214 member 4-long form - If you wish to qualify under the military path.

According to the Tennessee P.O.S.T.

Commission Law Enforcement Officer Certification Requirements, applicants must not have been released or discharged under any other than honorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States.P.O.S.T.

Certification - If you are an existing Police Officer.

If you wish to qualify under the three+ years of full-time work experience, be sure to include a detailed employment history in the Work Experience section of the application.

Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply. All supporting documents must be attached to your online application at the time of application.

Each document should be saved individually in a PDF format. Do not include resumes, cover letters, driver's license, social security cards, or various training certificates.

We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels.

All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.Metro Nashville Government respects the religious beliefs and practices of all employees and will make, on request, an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available that does not create an undue hardship on business operations.

Requests for ADA or other protected accommodations for the recruitment process should be directed to Human Resources at 615-862-6640.

Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

Browse Similar Jobs

Posted on NEOGOV: 1/5/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 12/5/2025

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-nashville-4281886