Police Department Training Academy

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.

Graduation

The Graduation Ceremony represents the successful completion of the Basic Training Academy and is a memorable occasion for all officers.

The following special awards are presented at graduation:

Academic Excellence Award presented by American Legion Post #5
Officer Christy Dedman Spirit Award
Physical Fitness Award
Officer Michael Petrina Leadership Award
Law Award
Officer Michael Garbo Firearms Award
Top Cop Award

After Graduation

After graduation, officers are on probation while they train and patrol with Field Training Officers (FTO’s) in preparation for individual patrol duty. The Metro Nashville Police Department Field Training Program is a four month program, one month for lateral police officers, designed to provide continued training to newly graduated officers of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Training Academy.. The training is to supplement that of the Training Academy and provide each Officer in Training the opportunity to apply the concepts taught in the Training Academy to real life scenarios. Under the observation of Field Training Officers each Officer in Training is expected to demonstrate their knowledge of law and policy, ability to interact with the community they serve, as well as their coworkers, and their problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills.

Field Training Officers are expected to be role models, teachers, mentors, and leaders among their peers. Each Field Training Officer has requested the right to directly oversee the development of the Metro Nashville Police Department’s newest officers, which carries an outstanding responsibility to ensure they always maintain the highest standard of conduct.

In-service Training

The Training Division is committed to continued training and education for all employees. Elective training classes are held throughout the year in addition to required training. State law and department policy require all sworn officers to attend an annual in-service training program consisting of a minimum of forty hours of relevant topics. Officers must also qualify with any firearm they carry annually. Officers earn $800 (state supplemented) in addition to their regular salary for this training. The Training Academy Division takes great pride in providing excellent and updated training to their employees.

CALEA Accreditation

The Metro Police Training Academy has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) Public Safety Training Academy Accreditation Program since 2011. The accreditation program focuses on basic as well as advanced curriculums, with the emphasis on sound instructional techniques, facilities management, student safety, records integrity, and a host of other issues that promote the professional delivery of training within the public safety industry. The Training Academy continues to participate in ongoing CALEA assessments and received its last re-accreditation in 2021 with an Excellence Award. An Excellence Award is given to select agencies which demonstrate the effective use of accreditation as a model for the delivery of enhanced public safety services and management professionalism. The Training Academy also participates in the overlapping CALEA Law Enforcement Accreditation Program which the Metro Police Department has been a member of since 1994.

CALEA Public Comment Portal

CALEA hosts a public portal to accept comments regarding the agency’s compliance with the accreditation process.

The purpose of this public portal is to receive comments regarding an agency's compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services, and overall candidacy for accredited status. These comments can be in the form of commendations or concerns. The overall intent of the accreditation process is to provide the participating agency with information to support continuous improvement, as well as foster the pursuit of professional excellence.

CALEA Accreditation Public Comment Portal

Now Hiring

Visit Join Our Department for detailed information on the hiring process, salary and benefits of being Nashville's Finest! Questions may also be directed to an MNPD Recruiter by e-mail [email protected] or by calling 615-862-7341

Group photo