Police Officer

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be at least twenty (20) years of age.
• Must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent legal resident of the United States who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces pursuant to T.C.A § 38-8-105(d)
• Must be a high school graduate or possess a GED equivalent.
• Must possess a driver license valid in the State of Tennessee with the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
• Must submit to and pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screen.
• Must submit to and pass a pre-employment physical ability test.
• Must submit to and pass a physical examination by a licensed physician selected by the City of Murfreesboro upon offer of employment.
• Must meet minimum visual requirement of 20/30 each eye corrected.
• Must meet all lawful qualifications establish by Tennessee law to be certified by the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission
• Must not have been released or discharged under other than honorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States

Police Lateral

The Murfreesboro Police Department encourages candidates who meet our minimum requirements and have obtained a P.O.S.T. certification as a law enforcement officer to apply and transfer to the Murfreesboro Police Department through one of our Lateral Entry Programs.

• Candidates who meet the criteria of the Lateral program, at least 1 year of patrol level duties, will be required to complete a 3-week abbreviated orientation training curriculum.
• Candidates who meet the criteria of the Lateral program will be required to complete a 10-week abbreviated training program, based on their performance. Those who do not meet the performance standards will be required to complete a 15-week field training program.
• Candidates may qualify for experience pay.
• Benefits

Pre-employment

• Physical Ability Test (Passing time under 5 minutes) 

• Written Test (Passing score of 75 needed)

• Panel Interview (If you pass both the Physical Ability Test and Written Test)

• Applicants will be ranked based on the Written Test score and Panel Interview score
  • Oral Interview with Command Staff

• Background Investigation
  • Traffic/Driving History
  • Arrest History
  • Employment History
  • References from select police personnel at previously employed agency
• Medical Assessment
• Psychological Screening
• Clinical (oral) Psychological Interview
• Official Offer

Lateral Curriculum

A 3-week (120 hours) Orientation training course  Lateral Recruits ONLY
A 10-week (400 hours) accelerated field training program for Lateral Recruits
A 3-week (120 hours) Transition School at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy for Out-of-State Certified Officers ONLY

Opportunities for Specialized Assignments

Typically, new officers are assigned to patrol, however, Murfreesboro Police offers opportunities for specialized assignments in the following areas:

• Detective
• Special Operations Unit (SOU)
• School Resource Officer (SRO)
• K-9
• Honor Guard
• Community Oriented Policing (C.O.P.S.)
• Aggressive Driving Enforcement Unit
• Directed Patrol
• Parks
• Firearms Instructor
• Field Training Officer (FTO)
• Murfreesboro Police Alcohol Countermeasures Team (MPACT)
• F.A.CT. (Fatal Accident Crash Team)
• Critical Incident Team (CIT)
• Narcotics and others

Lateral FAQ 

Q: What is the accelerated field training program? 

A: An Officer that has at least one year of street experience will be evaluated during the first four weeks of the field training program while with an Field Training Officer (F.T.O.)  .  During that first four weeks of the evaluation period the Officer has to show proficiency in all categories of the daily observation reports (D.O.R.).  Based on those first four weeks, Officer will then be selected for the accelerated program which allows them to complete the field training portion within six more weeks, combining for 10 total weeks.  If the Officer is unable to show proficiency then they will have to complete the entire Field Training Program, which is a total of 15-weeks.

Q: How long is the training for Lateral candidates? 

A: Based on the Lateral Candidate being able to be eligible for the accelerated program the entire training period will consist of 13-weeks for a State of Tennessee Lateral Certified Officer and 16-weeks for a Out of State Lateral Certified Officer.

Q: What is the starting pay for Fast Track/Lateral candidates? 

A: The starting pay for Lateral Officers is $47,563.75.  Applicant may qualify for experience pay.

Q: How long is the probationary period? 

A: There is a 12-month probationary period as a Patrol Officer upon completion of the Field Training Program. 

Q: How long is the hiring process for Lateral candidates? 

A: The hiring process will vary based on when you apply and the start date for that class.  A schedule of the hiring dates will be posted which will allow for applicants to prepare for those dates.  

Q: Is there any pre-employment testing? 

A: Yes. There will be a Physical Ability Test, Written Test, Medical and Psychological testing conducted prior to your official offer of employment.

Q: Is PT required as a part of the academy? 

A: Yes. All candidates that are transitional officers, out of state, will have to attend a three week transition school that is held at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy.  During this Transition school you may be required to participate in PT.