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Partial profile reviewed 2026-10-30. Not proof of an opening.

Application timing: The City Police Officer Trainee posting lists a continuous closing date and remains listed on the Metro Nashville careers site. Confirm availability on the live posting before applying. Scope: Police Officer Trainee, posting C15 FY25, job 4281886. Checked 2026-10-30. Current official notice ↗

Minimum requirements

• At least 21 when starting the MNPD Training Academy, a valid Class D driver's license, and one qualifying education or experience path: 60 accredited college semester hours with a 2.0 GPA; two years of active military service with honorable discharge; or a high-school diploma/GED plus either two years of full-time certified patrol service or three years of responsible full-time work experience.
• The department lists U.S. citizenship or a limited exception for permanent residents who are honorably discharged U.S. veterans; the exception requires applying for or obtaining citizenship within six years of employment start.
• Applicants must meet Tennessee POST and MNPD medical, vision, background, and other suitability rules. Check the full current standards, including drug-use and criminal-history criteria, before applying.

Selected requirements, not a complete eligibility or disqualifier checklist.

Lateral entry

Separate lateral requirements and training arrangements need confirmation.

Recruiting contact

MNPD Recruitment · Recruitment@Nashville.gov · 615-862-7341

Hiring outline

1. Submit the online City application with the supporting documents required for the education or experience path you claim.
2. Complete the Applicant Pre-Screen Questionnaire, then MNPD Civil Service testing: a written exam and Cooper-standard physical agility test, usually offered about four times monthly. The recruiting site says testing should occur within two months after applying.
3. If eligible, complete the personal-history statement and background investigation, structured oral interview, then conditional-offer psychological assessment, medical examination, drug screen, and CVSA. The sequence can vary by department direction.
4. After final offer, applicants may work in a pre-academy assignment while waiting for the next class. The department lists basic academy dates for February 1, June 1, and October 1, 2027, subject to change; ask recruiting which class applies to your application.

Physical testing

MNPD's entrance Cooper test requires passing at least 3 of 4 events: 21 correct push-ups, 15 correct sit-ups, a 300-meter run under 77 seconds, and a 1.5-mile run under 17:17. Applicants need 6 combined points to continue. Events run in succession with only a few minutes of rest. These are entrance standards; separate academy graduation standards apply.

Benefits

MNPD lists a Metro-funded pension, medical/dental/vision coverage, paid leave, tuition-related GI Bill use during training, a $1,000 annual uniform-maintenance allowance, and provided academy equipment. A pre-academy assignment may be offered for two weeks to two months between final offer and class start.

Hiring incentives

Availability and terms need confirmation.

The 220 sworn hires and 14 classes are historical recruitment output, not a forecast or current vacancy count. The 1,658 staffing figure is budgeted strength, not filled strength. The salary and academy pages differ on whether the trainee stage lasts 19 or 24 weeks; confirm the current pay-transition timing with recruiting. The City posting is listed as continuous, but verify the live portal before applying.

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