Police Officer Requirements - Tennessee
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Minimum Requirements to be a Police Officer in Tennessee
Published: August 18, 2024
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To become a police officer in Tennessee, candidates must meet specific qualifications and requirements as established by the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Commission and various law enforcement agencies within the state.
Below are the key requirements:
Minimum Qualifications
- Age: According to several sources that we checked you must be at least 21 years old to become a law enforcement officer in Tennessee; however, you should double check this information with the actual agency that you are interested in becoming a law enforcement officer with.
- Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen.
- Education: Must possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
- Driver’s License: Must have a valid Tennessee driver’s license.
- Criminal Record: Must have no felony convictions or disqualifying misdemeanors, including crimes involving violence, dishonesty, or controlled substances.
- Military Discharge: Must not have been released or discharged under anything other than honorable conditions if previously served in the armed forces.
- Background Check: Must pass a comprehensive background investigation, including fingerprint clearance by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
- Physical and Mental Fitness: Must pass a physical examination by a licensed physician and a psychiatric or psychological evaluation conducted by a Tennessee Licensed Health Care Provider.
- Moral Character: Must demonstrate good moral character as determined by the employing agency or the P.O.S.T. Commission.
Additional Requirements
- Fingerprinting: Candidates must have their fingerprints on file with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
- Certification: After meeting the initial qualifications, candidates must complete the Basic Police Training Course at a state-certified academy and pass the state certification exam.
Do Your Research
While state-level qualifications set the baseline for becoming a police officer, individual police agencies often implement stricter hiring standards to align with their specific needs and values.
These enhanced criteria can include regulations on tattoos, facial hair, background checks, and more.
Additionally, agencies might conduct more rigorous background checks than the state requires, diving deeper into an applicant’s history, including financial records, social media activity, and past behavior, to ensure candidates meet the department's ethical and professional standards.
Be sure to conduct more research into the requirements, qualifications, and disqualifications for specific agencies so that you are well prepared before entering their hiring process.
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Sources
- Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Commission
- Tennessee State Government - Law Enforcement Employment Requirements
- Go Law Enforcement - Tennessee Police Officer Requirements
- How to Become a Police Officer in Tennessee
Disclaimer
The requirements and qualifications for becoming a police officer may be subject to change due to updates in state legislation and public safety laws.
We strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information; however, we recommend verifying with the relevant state or local law enforcement authorities to ensure compliance with the current standards and requirements.
