Upcoming Lateral Training Academy Dates
- March 18, 2024
- June 17, 2024
- September 16, 2024
- December 16, 2024
Upcoming Basic Training Academy Dates
- February 1, 2024
- May 1, 2024
- August 1, 2024
- November 1, 2024
About the Training Academy
The Metro Police Training Academy has been developing elite police officers since 1970. Since that time, the Training Academy has graduated nearly 4,000 police officers, and boasts an Academy staff, which represents a multitude of areas of expertise. In addition to being one of the most respected police academies in the country, it is a CALEA accredited public safety training academy.
The primary role of the Training Division is the operation of the Police Training Academy where it serves as the foundation of the agency by providing students with the highest quality training and knowledge, to support the needs of the department and the community they serve. The Training Academy provides training to newly hired police officer trainees, in-service training to all police officers annually, and thousands of hours of specialized training to officers from across the MNPD and the Metropolitan Government. All basic and in-service training is approved and monitored by the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards Training (P.O.S.T.) Commission.
Basic Police Recruit Training
Because our commitment to the citizens of Nashville demands that only the highest caliber individual serve as a police officer, our selection process is lengthy and competitive. The Metro Police Department is not in the habit of just handing out badges; to get one, you have to earn it.
The Metro Police Basic Training Program is longer than the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Academy and the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy combined. It is also longer than U.S. Army Basic Training and the prestigious F.B.I. Academy.
Trainees do not reside at the academy. It is a commuter academy meaning that trainees go home every evening. They will attend training Monday through Friday and will be paid during their time at the academy. In addition to earning a paycheck, trainees will also be furnished with all necessary training equipment.
For police officers, there are many critical elements trainees must learn while attending training. Academics, Ethics, Physical Fitness, Community Service, Firearms, and Emergency Vehicle Operations are all crucial to graduating the police academy. Over the course of approximately 23 weeks, trainees receive instruction from the Basic Course Curriculum. Currently, trainees receive approximately 1000 hours of training courses. The basic training program is designed to challenge the trainee – both physically and mentally. The curriculum is developed with the goal of providing Nashville with the most qualified officers.
Lateral Police Officer Training
Nashville provides the opportunity for qualified officers from across the country to join our department and attend a lateral training course that is roughly half the length of the Metro Police Basic Training Program. Officers who apply must have at least two years of uninterrupted, full time, state certified, law enforcement experience and they will be required to pass the same rigorous selection process as any other officer candidate.
The curriculum of the Lateral Training Class is generally the same as the Basic Training Class; however, only 488 hours of training is required as opposed to over 1000 hours of training received during a Basic Training Class, a difference of approximately 12 weeks of training versus 24 weeks. The training environment for Lateral Police Officers is more collegiate, since basic police skills have already been acquired, with an emphasis on a transition to the requirements of an MNPD Officer. It is important to note the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards Training (POST) Commission requires 488 hours of training for all NEW State Certified Police Officers; therefore, the MNPD Lateral Training Program provides no less training than any other new officer in Tennessee would receive, regardless of their prior experience.
As with the Basic Police Training Program, proficiency must be shown in critical elements of training as described in the following Lateral Officer Course Curriculum. It is through this training that all MNPD Police Trainees earn the privilege to serve the citizens of Nashville.