Police Instructor Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $81,114.00 - $102,871.00 Annually
Location : Nashville, TN
Job Type: Full-Time Civil Service
Job Number: C251
Division: Metro Nashville Police Department
Opening Date: 05/29/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Position Description
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) is seeking current Police Officers with two (2) or more years of uninterrupted full time law enforcement experience, having obtained a certification as a law enforcement officer through a State Police Standards and Training Commission. Though we are continuously hiring for laterals, this posting is to specifically accept lateral applications for our Traffic Division. Within the Traffic Division is the Aggressive/Impaired Driving Unit, Motorcycle Officer Program, and the Traffic Crash Investigator Unit. We currently have vacancies in each of these units.
The Traffic Division provides traffic enforcement, traffic investigation, and criminal enforcement on all interstates and secondary streets within Davidson County. The Traffic Division is looking to fill positions in following units:

• Aggressive/Impaired Driving Unit - specifically targets distracted, impaired, and aggressive drivers;
• Motorcycle Officer Unit - proactively address observed traffic violations, crashes, and address neighborhood traffic complaints; and
• Crash Investigator Unit - are responsible for thoroughly and accurately reporting and investigating property damage and personal injury crashes. These crashes include Hit and Run crashes, life-threatening and fatal crashes, as well as crashes which require the specialty skills possessed by a Traffic Division Crash Investigator for proper investigation and prosecution.

An officer of the Traffic Division shall be directly accountable to an assigned Sergeant for the proper administration, general management, and control of all matters related to the operation of that unit and is generally governed by the same duties and responsibilities, rules and regulations applicable to any other officer in the department.
As with all other sworn positions in the department, the applicant must have a strong working knowledge of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and Rules of Evidence, especially as it relates to traffic investigations and traffic enforcement.
We are now accepting lateral applications for Traffic Crash Investigator.
Step 3 $81,114.00 to Step 15 $102,871.00 without education incentive
Step 3 $83,547.42 to Step 15 $105,957.13 with Associate's degree.
Step 3 $85,980.84 to Step 15 $109,043.26 with Bachelor's degree.
The Metro Nashville Police Department is a 24/7 operation. Employees must be able to work any day and/or shift, as needed.
***Education incentives available to qualified candidates.
***Pre-academy hiring opportunities may be available.
***Regular days off vary.
Typical Duties

• Complete a training program that consists of courses in criminal law, firearms training, first aid, traffic accident investigation, traffic law enforcement, human relations, crime scene research, patrol procedures, departmental policies, report writing, and other related areas. Physical training will be optional for this program.
• Based on the successful completion of the MNPD's Lateral Police Training Academy program, an officer assigned to the Traffic Division will be placed in the appropriate Unit to fit their specialty. The placement of officers in the different Traffic Division Units are contingent on successful completion of the required elements to fit each specific job description, as well as to fit the overall needs of the Traffic Division.

All Traffic Division Positions:

• Must possess a desire to promote traffic safety throughout the Metro-Davidson County Community; while completing traffic crash investigations and enforcing state and local traffic laws, ordinances, and regulations.
• Must possess good communication skills and have the ability to make sound decisions in stressful and confrontational situations.
• The applicant for this position should be self-motivated and competent in all responsibilities required of any officer and be willing to work within a team environment.
• Must be willing to participate in a 24-hour, rotational call-out schedule and respond changes in shifts and days off, as necessary, to meet the position descriptions.
• Must be willing to perform other duties as directed by the Traffic Division Commander or his/her designee.

Traffic - Aggressive/Impaired Driving Unit:

• Must have shown a pattern of being highly proactive in self-initiated activity and continue such activity if selected (traffic and DUI enforcement, MDT usage, Field Interviews, and enforcing the laws of the State and Metro Codes).
• Must be proficient in the use and interpretation of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs).
• Must be willing to attend DUI and SFST Instructor Course, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) School, and other specialized training schools and seminars deemed necessary by the Traffic Division Commander.
  Traffic - Motorcycle Officer Unit:
• The applicant must possess a motorcycle endorsement on their valid TN driver's license prior to the Police Motorcycle Operator Course.
• ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE 80 HOUR POLICE MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR COURSE.
• Must have shown a pattern of being highly proactive in self-initiated activity and continue such activity if selected. Officers must be proactive in the enforcement of State Law and Metro Codes related to traffic offenses.

Traffic - Crash Investigator Unit:

• Will be required to attend, if not currently certified, investigative schools including At-Scene Crash Investigation, Advanced Crash Investigation, and Traffic Crash Reconstruction; educational based schools/training such as Occupant Safety schools/training; as well as other specialized schools deemed necessary by the Traffic Division Commander.

The following required documents MUST be submitted at the time of application:

• Birth Certificate
• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• College Transcripts (if applicable)
• Copy of P.O.S.T. Certification or State Equivalent

All supporting documents must be attached to your online application at the time of application. Each document should be saved individually in a PDF format. Do not include resumes, cover letters, driver's license, social security cards, or various training certificates.
Minimum Qualifications

• At least two (2) years as a full-time, certified (Tennessee P.O.S.T. Certification or equivalent State certification) law enforcement officer. No more than 3 years since last break-in service
• Valid Driver License
• A U.S. citizen at the time of hire, or per Tennessee House Bill 0765, a permanent legal resident of the United States who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces may be employed as a Police Officer. The officer must apply for or obtain citizenship within six (6) years of the employment start date
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must successfully complete a medical and psychological examination with standards set out in the Metropolitan Charter
• Must successfully complete Criminal History Background
• Must successfully complete CVSA
• Must successfully complete Drug Testing

Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.
Note: Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.
We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.
Metro Nashville Government respects the religious beliefs and practices of all employees and will make, on request, an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available that does not create an undue hardship on business operations.
Requests for ADA or other protected accommodations for the recruitment process should be directed to Human Resources at 615-862-6640.

• 12 paid holidays
• 20 paid vacation days + 3 personal days
• 20 paid military days per year
• Up to 30 working days of Paid Family leave (after 6 months of employment with Metro)
• Domestic Partner Benefits
• State supplemented In-Service pay of $800 each year
• Longevity pay after Five (5) years with Metro
• Vested for pension after Ten (10) years
• Vested to Medical Pension after Ten (10) years
• $1,000 every year for uniform maintenance
• Educational Incentive Pay - Additional 3% for A.S. and 6% for B.S.
• Excellent medical and dental insurance
• Shift differential pay for night or morning shift
• Department provides all necessary equipment and uniforms

1. : Employees have the choice of two medical plans - BlueCross BlueShield PPO or Cigna Choice Fund - and may choose either Individual, Family or Employee + Child(ren) coverage. Both companies provide coverage for mental health/substance abuse.
2. Metro pays 75% of the medical premium with employees only paying 25% of the premium
3. : Metro provides active employees - at no cost - with $50,000 in basic life insurance and $50,000 in AD&D insurance. Supplemental life and dependent life insurance is available to purchase. Supplemental life can be purchased by new employees up to $200,000 without proof of good health and increased up to $500,000 at future annual enrollments with evidence of insurability (EOI). You may enroll your spouse/domestic partner with $10,000 without proof of good health (EOI) if you enroll when you first become eligible-either at benefit eligibility or within 60 days of your marriage.
4. : Metro provides BlueCross BlueShield single dental coverage at not cost to employees. Family dental plans are available to purchase.
5. Optional
6. Additional coverage available through payroll deductions

01
Are you a United States citizen or a permanent legal resident of the United States who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have a valid Driver License?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you have at least a High School Diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

04
Applicants must be 21 years of age or older to apply for Police Officer Lateral- Traffic Division. I have attached a copy of my birth certificate to this employment application.

• Yes, I have attached a copy of my birth certificate to the application.
• No, I have not attached my birth certificate.

05
Are you fluent in a language, other than English, in both written and spoken word?

• Yes
• No

06
If you are bilingual, list the language(s) other than English in which you are fluent. If none, write "N/A".
07
Do you have a felony conviction?

• Yes
• No

08
Have you ever sold any kind of narcotic, dangerous drug or marijuana?

• Yes
• No

09
In the past 6 months, have you lawfully or unlawfully used marijuana or any marijuana derivatives, CBD, heroin, LSD, PCP, cocaine, crack cocaine, mushrooms, ecstasy, methamphetamine or similar substances, anabolic steroids, or any prescription not lawfully prescribed to you?Although CBD is not considered illegal in Tennessee, you should be cautioned that the use of CBD could potentially cause you to test positive on a drug screen for marijuana, which would disqualify you from moving forward in the process.

• Yes
• No

10
Per TCA code 38-8-106, applicants for Public Safety positions shall "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, controlled substances". Do you have any violations related to the above stated code that would prevent you from continuing in the application process?

• Yes
• No

11
Mark the qualifications which best describes you.

• 2 or more years full-time work experience, certified (Tennessee P.O.S.T. Certification or equivalent State certification) law enforcement officer.
• Less than 2 years full-time work experience certified (Tennessee P.O.S.T. Certification or equivalent State certification) law enforcement officer.
• 2 or more years law enforcement experience but, NOT certified through P.O.S.T. or equivalent State certification.

12
I understand that all related work history/experience, education, certification and/or licenses must be reflected on my application for this position. I further understand that an incomplete application or missing documents may result in disqualification.

• Yes
• No

Required Question