Police Officer Requirements – Tennessee

Tennessee Law Enforcement Agencies

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Minimum Requirements to be a Police Officer in Tennessee

  1. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;
  2. Be a citizen of the United States
  3. Be a high school graduate or possess equivalence. No waivers will be granted for minimum education requirements;
  4. Not have been convicted of or pleaded guilty to or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any felony charge or to any violation of any federal or state laws or city ordinances relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor or controlled substances;
  5. The agency must present a copy of any DD-214s, DD-215s and DD873s along with the application for certification.
    1. The commission may consider a waiver from pre-employment requirements for a person who has been convicted of, or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any violation of any federal or state laws or city ordinances (excluding felony charges) relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor (including driving while intoxicated), or controlled substances when the offense was classed as a misdemeanor.
    2. No waiver shall be granted while officer is under the jurisdiction of the court or considered on probation, whether supervised or unsupervised, and in the case of ‘‘driving while intoxicated’’ the officer shall have met all the requirements of the Tennessee Department of Safety and have been restored his/her permanent driving privileges under the laws of the State of Tennessee.
    3. A person who has had misdemeanor charges expunged may be considered for certification. It is the responsibility of the officer and employing agency to present information and court documents relating to expungement to the Commission.
    4. No waiver will be granted for felony convictions or a narcotics violation that could result in a felony charge.
    5. The agency must present a written request for waiver for these charges and provide a copy of the final court disposition of the case.
  6. Not have been released or discharged under any other than honorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States;
  7. Have his fingerprints on file with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation;
  8. Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician;
  9. Have good moral character as determined by a thorough investigation conducted by the employing agency; and/or the POST Commission; and
  10. Have been certified by a Tennessee Licensed Health Care Provider qualified in the psychiatric or psychological fields as being free from any disorder, as set forth in the current edition of the DSM, that would, in the professional judgment of the examiner, impair the subject’s ability to perform any essential function of the job.
  11. No waiver will be granted for mental disorders.

 

SUMMARY

Age At least eighteen (18) years of age for law enforcement officer; 25 years of age for Sheriff
Education High School Diploma or G.E.D
Citizenship US Citizen
Other Requirements

  1. No felony conviction or to any violation of any federal or state laws or city ordinances relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor or controlled substances;
  2. Honorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States if applicable
  3. Submit fingerprint requirement
  4. Pass physical examination by a licensed physician
  5. Have good moral character
  6. Pass psychiatric or psychological examination by a Tennessee Licensed Health Care Provider