About the Training Academy
The Metro Police Training Academy has been developing elite police officers since 1970. 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, through the training of officers in law, ethics, fitness, and community service, the highest level of professional law enforcement performance is achieved. All basic training is approved and monitored by the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards Training (P.O.S.T.) Commission.
Basic Police 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, physical fitness is a critical element of not only the safety of the officer and their peer officers, but also the safety of the citizens. The level of physical fitness that a trainee enters the academy in, has a direct effect on their performance in the academy. If the trainee is not struggling with the physical training portion, they will be able to fully focus on law and other portions of the academy. Throughout their training, they will be tested regularly on their physical fitness level just as they are every other portion of the training.
While the Basic Training Program is designed to prepare the trainee physically, it is also very academic. Over the course of approximately 26 weeks, trainees receive instruction from the MNPD Basic Course Curriculum. Trainees should expect to spend a significant amount of their personal time studying. Again, if the trainee feels that they need to be improving their running in their personal time, this leaves less time to concentrate on studying.
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
- Michael Petrina Leadership Award
- Law Award
- Firearms Award
- Top Cop Award
After Graduation
After graduation, officers are on probation for six months while they train/patrol with Field Training Officers (FTO's) in preparation for solo patrol duty.
In-service 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 twice yearly. Officers earn $600 (state supplemented) in addition to their regular salary for this training.
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