Nashville PD Job Overview

If you are looking for information on the Nashville police department selection process you have landed on the right web page. However you must realize the selection process to become a police officer in any law enforcement agency takes some time especially for larger agencies like MNPD.

Here’s a long and detailed answer taken directly from the Nashville police dept website on the steps required before you are hired. Again don’t be alarmed by the amount of time it takes to complete the process because it’s like that everywhere.

How Long is The Hiring Process For The Nashville Metropolitan Police Department ?

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Nashville police officer! This is a GREAT police department, and we are constantly looking for the right men and women to join our team.

The application and background investigation processes are quite involved. So that you will not be discouraged, we have created this short narrative of what to expect, along with the time lines involved. More information is available at our orientation sessions (described below).

The first step of the process is to apply on-line with Metro’s Human Resources Department. It may take ten to twelve weeks from the time a person completes the on-line application to receive notification from Metro Human Resources of a date to take the Civil Service Examination. Again, this notification is sent by Metro Human Resources, not the police department, once it is determined that the applicant appears to meet the minimum qualifications.

Notification to participate in the Civil Service Examination is generally provided four weeks prior to the testing dates.Our Background and Recruitment Unit offers helpful orientation sessions for potential applicants. At the orientation, persons will learn about the hiring process, civil service testing, Training Academy expectations, as well as the role of the Field Training Officer program.

Upon completion of the Civil Service Examination and the Physical Ability Test (which are given over a two-day period), the applicant will typically receive notification of his/her test scores within two weeks. All applicants scoring in the outstanding category on the combined Civil Service Exam (written) and the Physical Ability Test will advance to the background investigation stage.

Please note that it is only at this point that the applicants’ names are forwarded to the police department.Given the high number of applicants, and the thoroughness required of background investigations, the background phase could take three to four months.

Upon successful completion of the background investigation, an interview will be scheduled between the applicant and his/her background investigator. The purpose of the interview is to update/clarify any remaining information that the investigator may need in order to recommend the applicant for a conditional employment offer.

A conditional offer of employment will be extended to the applicant who successfully completes the background investigation and interview stages.

Following the conditional offer of employment, the applicant must complete a battery of tests, including a medical examination, drug screen, psychological assessments, and Computer Voice Stress Analysis.

THIS ENTIRE PROCESS IS METICULOUS AND TIME CONSUMING, LASTING, ON AVERAGE, FOUR TO EIGHT MONTHS.

Based upon the results of these tests, a determination is made by the police department as to whether the applicant is qualified to join the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department as a Police Officer Trainee. If so, depending on the timing of the next training class(es) and other considerations, the candidate will be offered a position as a Police Officer Trainee. As funding permits, Police Officer Trainees may be offered immediate employment in a police department support role while waiting for the next Academy class to commence.

Once the applicant is offered a full time position as a Police Officer Trainee, he/she should have ample time to give proper notification (two weeks) to his/her current employer.

In summary, the total application time frame (on average, up to eight months) is broken into its major steps is as follows:

• Completion of the on-line application to notification of the test date: 10-12 weeks.
• Notification of Civil Service Exam/Physical Ability Test results: 2 weeks.
• Background Investigation (including interview, battery of tests, candidate review and potential employment offer: 4-6 months.

Again, thank you for your interest in our department! Please contact our Recruiting Office at 862-7341 with any questions.

Average Salary, Pay scale, Benefits and Earnings For MNPD

Pay Scale and Benefits

*3% – ASSOCIATES DEGREE, 6% – BACHELORS DEGREE
*AFTER GRADUATION FROM ACADEMY AND PROOF OF EDUCATION

BENEFITS

• DEFERRED COMPENSATION
• LONGEVITY PAY
• OVERTIME PAY
• STATE SUPPLEMENTED IN-SERVICE PAY ($600)
• 20 PAID MILITARY DAYS PER YEAR
• COMPENSATED FOR TIME SPENT IN COURT
• VESTED FOR PENSION AFTER 5 YEARS
• VESTED FOR MEDICAL PENSION AFTER 10 YEARS
• USE OF MONTGOMERY GI BILLS, IN FIRST YEAR OF TRAINING

INSURANCE

• HEALTH: Blue Cross / Blue Shield / CIGNA
• LIFE: FREE – 2 TIMES ANNUAL SALARY UP TO $50,000
• DENTAL: FREE – SINGLE COVERAGE
• OPTIONAL VISION INSURANCE
• MENTAL HEALTH/SUBSTANCE ABUSE INSURANCE
• ADDITIONAL COVERAGE AVAILABLE THROUGH PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS

VACATION

• 20 PAID VACATION DAYS AFTER ONE YEAR
• 10 PAID HOLIDAYS PER YEAR
• 3 PERSONAL LEAVE DAYS PER YEAR
• 1 SICK DAY PER MONTH ACCUMULATED UP TO 120 DAYS

CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT ALLOWANCE

• $200 EVERY SIX MONTHS FOR UNIFORM MAINTENANCE
• BASIC EQUIPMENT AND SIDEARM ISSUED DURING ACADEMY TRAINING

Requirements & Qualifications:

• Two years (60 Semester hours) of general academic studies from an accredited college or university with an overall Grade Point Average of 2.0 (“C” Average) on a 4.0 scale. Hours for remedial courses will not be counted. No more than two (2) transcripts will be evaluated. The cumulative hours and Grade Point Average (GPA) must appear on the transcript.
• Candidates must submit “official” transcripts that meet Metro’s Educational Standards. At least one half of the total hours must be taken in residence, no more than half may be earned in non-traditional credits.ORApplicant must have at least 2 years of active military duty and possess a high school diploma or GED. Must not have been released or discharged under other than Honorable from any of the Armed Forces of the United States.ORApplicants must have a high school diploma or GED and documentation of a minimum of 2 years full-time law enforcement experience in a patrol capacity with a certification from Tennessee P.O.S.T. or equivalent State certification board.ORApplicants must have a high school diploma or GED and have 5 years of responsible work experience.AND
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age. (May apply 2 (two) months prior to your 21st birthday).
• The Distant Visual Acuity in each eye must be no worse than 20/100 (Snellen) uncorrected, corrected 20/20 in the better eye and 20/30 in the other eye. Binocular vision must be at 20 feet. Must have normal depth perception. Must have normal color vision.
• Valid “Class D” Driver’s License.
• Citizen of the United States.
• Have not been convicted of or pleaded guilty to or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any felony charge or to any violations of any federal or state laws or city ordinances relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor or controlled substance.
• Your driving record will be considered part of the background investigation for this position. Multiple offenses and/or chargeable accidents are grounds for disqualification or removal from the eligibility register.
• Honorable discharge from Military Service (if applicable).
• The medical requirements for enlistment or appointment to either the Army or Navy are the basis for physical suitability at the time of appointment.
• Meet standards set by the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission and adopted by the Tennessee General Assembly on June 24, 1983, T.C.A. 38-8-106.

Previous Drug Use Criteria

• Marijuana use will be viewed in the context of the applicant’s age at the time of use, the recency of use, and the frequency of use. No marijuana use will be allowed within 2 years of the date of the application.
• No other illegal drug use within 7 years of application. Combined use of other drugs besides marijuana must not exceed 5 times. This includes but is not limited to: marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, anabotlic steroids, ecstasy, LSD.
• No sale of any drugs.
• Could have permanent disqualification for use of heroin, LSD, PCP, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine or similar substances.
• Any prior drug use, admitted or discovered, will be evaluated in determining employment eligibility.
• No pattern of abuse of legal or legend drugs (including steroids).
• Must pass polygraph or CVSA concerning use.