Tennessee is a beautiful state with rolling hills, lush forests, and plentiful wildlife.
It’s also home to many great law enforcement agencies that offer excellent salaries, benefits, and career advancement opportunities for police officers.
In this article, we will highlight the top 10 best sheriff’s office and police department agencies in Tennessee so you can find your dream job!
What is a police job Like in TN?
Working as a police officer in Tennessee is a challenging and rewarding experience.
Tennessee law enforcement agencies are committed to keeping their cities and citizens safe, while also providing officers with the opportunity for career growth and advancement.
In addition, many Tennessee law enforcement agencies offer great benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave time.
Officers can also enjoy a variety of recreational activities in their free time, thanks to Tennessee’s many great parks and forests.
10 Best Police Departments and Sheriff Office in Tennessee
Below are the top ten sheriff’s office and police departments in Tennessee, according to our research.
Remember that these rankings are based on statistics from various sources, such as BLS data for salaries, benefits, and career advancement opportunities.
1. Metro Nashville Police Department
The Metro Nashville Police Department is the largest law enforcement agency in Tennessee, with over 1800 officers and staff.
The department is responsible for policing the city of Nashville and its nearly 690,000 residents.
In addition to a great salary and benefits package, the MNPD offers excellent career advancement opportunities, including specialized units, detective positions, and leadership roles.
The department also has a rich history of community service, with officers participating in many local events and charities.
For more information on the Metro Nashville Police Department, visit their website at: nashville.gov/police
2. City of Chattanooga Police Department
The City of Chattanooga Police Department employs over 1100 officers and staff.
This police department includes a specialized crime-fighting unit called the Violent Crime Enforcement Bureau (VCEB), which has been very effective in reducing violent crimes throughout the city.
Like many other law enforcement agencies, CPD offers excellent benefits to police officers, including health insurance and retirement plans.
The CPD also has an employee assistance program that helps officers deal with personal problems.
Working at the CPD is a rewarding experience, and there are many opportunities to advance your career.
With a population of over 175,000, Chattanooga is a great place to work as a police officer.
The police department employs detectives, crime scene technicians, K-12 school resource officers, public housing enforcement agents, and much more.
To learn more about the City of Chattanooga Police Department, visit their website.
3. City of Memphis Police Department
With over 2500 officers and staff, the City of Memphis Police Department is one of the largest law enforcement agencies in Tennessee.
The MPD has a number of specialized units, including the Auto Theft Unit, Fugitive Apprehension Unit, Gang Intelligence Unit, and Warrant Squad.
Officers with the MPD receive many benefits, including competitive compensation and excellent health insurance.
MPD also offers a number of career development opportunities, including the opportunity to become a detective or member of one of its specialized units.
The City of Memphis Police Department is an excellent place to work for police job seekers looking for a large city with plenty of recreational activities and educational opportunities.
With a population of over 650,000, Memphis is the 2nd largest city in Tennessee. If you are looking for a police job in a large city, the Memphis Police Department is an excellent place to start your career.
4. City of Madison Police Department
The City of Madison Police Department was founded in 1968. Today, the agency has over 100 officers and staff members.
Officers with the MPD receive excellent benefits including health insurance, paid vacation days, overtime pay for court appearances, a retirement plan, and more.
The MPD also offers a number of career development opportunities, including the opportunity to become a field training officer or to join a specialized unit such as crime prevention, school resource officers, narcotics task force (STAC), and traffic enforcement.
The City of Madison offers something for everyone including many parks like Centennial Park with its famous swimming pool and playground area; Bicentennial Mall is home to wildlife exhibits and events, and the War Museum is great for history buffs.
Students can attend Madison College to earn a two-year degree or continue their education at Lee University, which has an excellent business program as well as a top-ranked nursing school.
The city of Madison also offers many recreational opportunities including Little League Baseball teams, softball leagues in the spring and fall, soccer programs for boys and girls, a skate park, and a dog park.
The cost of living in Madison is also very affordable when compared to other cities in the state.
For all these reasons and more, the City of Madison Police Department is an excellent place to work for police officers.
5. Chester County Sheriff’s Office
The Chester County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service law enforcement agency that employs over 200 people.
Officers are responsible for patrolling all of the rural and unincorporated parts of the county as well as the town of Henderson.
The Chester County Sheriff’s Office offers excellent benefits, including health insurance, paid vacation days and holidays, a retirement plan, and more.
Officers with the CCSO also have the opportunity to further their education and career by taking part in specialized training courses.
In Chester County, there are plenty of recreational activities to enjoy including fishing, camping, and hiking in the many parks located throughout the county, as well as bike riding and golfing at a number of private country clubs.
Chester County also has many opportunities for shopping and dining.
The cost of living in Chester County is very reasonable when compared to other cities in Tennessee.
For all these reasons, the Chester County Sheriff’s Office is a great place to work.
6. City of Greeneville Police Department
The City of Greeneville Police Department was founded in 1966. It is a full-service law enforcement agency that provides police services to the city of Greeneville and its surrounding areas.
With a population of over 15,000 people, the City of Greeneville Police Department is the second-largest law enforcement agency in Greene County.
Benefits:
City of Greeneville police officers enjoy the following benefits:
- – A competitive salary and generous overtime opportunities.
- – A pension plan.
- – Paid vacation, holiday, and sick days.
- – Full medical coverage for the employee and their dependents.
- – Generous uniform allowances, including the purchase of all department-issued gear and equipment.
- – Dental and Vision insurance
7. Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office
Established in 1959, the Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service law enforcement agency. It provides police services to the citizens of Unicoi County and its surrounding areas.
With a population just shy of 12,000 people, Unicoi County is one of the smallest counties in East Tennessee.
The sheriff’s department forces consist of 18 full-time deputies, one part-time deputy, and the sheriff.
Benefits:
- Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office employees enjoy these benefits:
- * Competitive salaries with generous overtime opportunities.
- * A pension plan for all new hires.
- * Paid vacation, sick days, and holiday time off work.
- * 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for the employee and their dependents.
- * A clothing allowance for work uniforms.
- * Longevity pay
- – And more!
The Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office is a great place to work and offers its employees a host of great benefits.
If you’re looking for a law enforcement career in East Tennessee, the Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office is a great place to start!
8. City of Knoxville Police Department
The City of Knoxville Police Department was established in 1882. It is the largest law enforcement agency in East Tennessee, with a staff of over 800 sworn and civilian personnel.
The City of Knoxville Police Department provides police services to the city of Knoxville and its surrounding areas, including the University of Tennessee campus.
Benefits:
City of Knoxville police officers enjoys a number of great benefits, including:
- – A competitive salary and generous overtime opportunities.
- – A pension plan for all new hires.
- – Paid vacation, holiday, and sick days off work.
- – Full medical coverage for the employee and their dependents. –
- -Generous uniform allowances include purchasing of police-issued gear and equipment like Glock duty pistols, body armor vests, and police uniforms.
- – Dental and vision insurance
- The City of Knoxville Police Department is a great place to work, with excellent benefits for its employees.
If you’re looking for a career in law enforcement, the City of Knoxville PD should be at the top of your list!
9. Johnson City Police Department
The Johnson City Police Department was founded in 1911. It is the second-largest law enforcement agency in Washington County, with a staff of over 180 sworn and civilian personnel.
The Johnson City Police Department provides police services to the city of Johnson City and its surrounding communities including part of the University of Tennessee campus.
Benefits:
Johnson City Police Department employees enjoy these benefits:
- * Competitive salaries with generous overtime opportunities.
- * A pension plan for all new hires.
- * Paid vacation, sick days, and holiday time off work.
- * 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for the employee and their dependents.
- – And more!
The Johnson City Police Department is a great place to work, with excellent benefits for its employees.
If you’re looking for a career in law enforcement, the Johnson City PD should be at the top of your list!
10. Bristol Police Department
The Bristol Police Department was founded in 1886. It is the largest law enforcement agency in Sullivan County, with a staff of over 190 sworn and civilian personnel.
The Bristol Tennessee Police Department provides police services to the city of Bristol and its surrounding areas.
With a population of over 25,000 residents, Bristol is known for its picturesque downtown area with shops and restaurants. It also has several colleges including the King College campus.
The department offers a wide range of career opportunities for law enforcement professionals, including detective, K-12 school resource officer, and special response team positions.
The department is also known for its community outreach initiatives, which include the DARE program, bicycle patrols, and crime prevention presentations.
Bristol residents can feel safe knowing that their police department is committed to protecting the community and providing a high level of service to its citizens.
If you are looking for a career in law enforcement, the Bristol Police Department should be at the top of your list.
FAQ About police jobs in Tennessee
Below you will find frequently asked questions about police jobs in Tennessee.
How do I become a Sheriff’s Deputy or Police Officer?
A person who wants to apply for the position of sheriff’s deputy needs to be at least 21 years old, have no felony convictions, and possess a high school diploma or GED certificate.
To earn an entry-level position with a law enforcement agency in Tennessee, you will have to complete the basic training requirements.
You need to graduate from an accredited police academy that has been certified by the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST).
If you are selected as part of the hiring process at a sheriff’s office or city department, you will likely be required to complete an extensive background investigation.
What are the basic training requirements?
The basic training requirements for police officers in Tennessee include completing a state-approved academy that is at least 400 hours long.
At the academy, you will learn about criminal law, traffic enforcement, use of force, first aid and CPR, firearms and other weapons, vehicle operations, report writing, evidence collection techniques, and more.
Before you can graduate from the academy program in Tennessee you will need to fulfill a number of requirements including:
- – Successfully complete all written exams required by POST.
- – Pass all physical fitness tests with at least a 70% score.
- – Complete a driving course and pass the state driving exam with at least an 80% score.
- – Successfully complete all role-playing scenarios as assigned by your academy instructor.
What if I am convicted of a criminal offense?
If you have been arrested or convicted of any crime, including DUI, you will be required to disclose this information on your Tennessee police job application.
You also need to report any previous employment with a law enforcement agency, as well as resign from the force if asked by the department head or sheriff.
What are the highest-paying police departments in TN?
The highest-paying police departments in TN are the Metro Nashville Police Department and the Memphis Police Department.
Both agencies offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits, including health insurance, dental coverage, retirement plans, and paid vacation time.
What are some of the highest-paying jobs in law enforcement?
The following are some of the higher paying positions available within a sheriff’s office or city police department in Tennessee:
- – Police Sergeant
- – Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Detective
- – K-12 School Resource Officer
- – Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agent
- – Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent
How do I become a police officer in Nashville?
If you are interested in becoming a police officer with the Metro Nashville Police Department, there is an extensive application process.
Most of the requirements, such as having a high school diploma or GED certificate, passing a background check and drug screening, and being at least 21 years old, are standard for most law enforcement agencies.
However, there are some additional requirements that you must meet in order to be considered for employment with the MNPD.
