About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Municipal Government — Law Enforcement / Public Safety.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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Position Overview

Confidential Client is hiring Entry-Level Police Officer Trainees (Uncertified Patrol Officers) to join its municipal law enforcement team in Lebanon, TN. This is a full-time, public-safety role that begins as an uncertified officer with structured pay increases tied to academy completion and time-in-service. Candidates will be required to complete screening, fitness and written testing, and meet Police Academy requirements unless they already hold recent Tennessee academy certification.

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What You’ll Do

Confidential Client patrols assigned areas to protect life and property, enforce local ordinances and state law, and provide community-focused public safety services. Typical duties include:

• Investigate crimes and traffic accidents; prepare reports and document findings.
• Patrol commercial, residential, and business districts; deter criminal activity.
• Arrest suspects and process incidents according to law and department policy.
• Direct and control traffic; assist at crash scenes.
• Testify in court and provide written/court-ready reports.
• Operate and maintain law enforcement equipment (radios, vehicles, computers).
• Present crime prevention information to community groups.
• Work rotating 12-hour shifts including days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Assist other departmental staff as directed.

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Compensation & Career Progression

Confidential Client provides clear pay steps and incentives tied to training and education:

• Starting pay (Uncertified Officer Trainee): $26.84 per hour — $55,827.20 annually (estimated).
• After Police Academy completion (Certified Officer Trainee): $27.65 per hour — $60,387.60 annually (estimated).
• At one-year anniversary and promotion to Certified Police Officer: $30.07 per hour — $65,672.88 annually (estimated).
• Additional pay opportunities: shift differentials, specialized duty stipends, education incentives (3% for bachelor’s, additional 3% for master’s).

Note: Do not fabricate or promise additional compensation beyond posted amounts. All pay is subject to official final offer and local policies.

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Minimum Qualifications & Requirements

To be considered, applicants must meet statutory and department requirements:

• Minimum age: 21 years.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• High school diploma or GED required; some college coursework preferred.
• No felony convictions or misdemeanors involving moral turpitude as defined by law.
• Good moral character and honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces (if applicable).
• Meet Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA 38-8-106) requirements for police officers.
• Pass pre-employment checks: background, driving record, drug screen, psychological evaluation, and physical exam.
• Basic proficiency with Windows and Microsoft Office (Word/Outlook) is required.
• Candidates selected for hire must be available to attend State Police Academy training when scheduled (no absences).

Candidates who completed a Tennessee State Police Academy within the last 24 months and are not yet employed by a department may be considered and may not be required to re-attend.

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Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to learn city geography and patrol areas.
• Calm, decisive reaction in emergencies and sound judgment under pressure.
• Strong observation and investigative skills; ability to collect facts and document findings.
• Ability to explain and interpret laws, ordinances, and regulations.
• Skill in operating standard law enforcement tools and equipment.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships within the community and department.
• Capacity to interpret technical instructions and handle multiple variables simultaneously.

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Physical Demands & Work Environment

This position is physically and mentally demanding and safety-sensitive. Requirements include, but are not limited to:

• Passing a basic physical ability test (timed fitness course with running, obstacles, dragging a 175 lb. mannequin, crawling, climbing).
• Ability to lift, carry, and drag equipment and objects (up to and over 100 lbs. when required).
• Ability to wear 15–25 lbs. of duty equipment for long shifts.
• Visual acuity (day/night, peripheral vision, depth perception, color vision).
• Hearing sufficient to perceive radio communications and environmental sounds.
• Regular work outdoors in varying weather; potential exposure to hazardous or infectious environments and high-stress, dangerous situations.

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Certification & Training

• This is an entry-level, trainee position. Hires must meet all department requirements for Police Academy enrollment and successful completion.
• Those already certified at a Tennessee academy within the last 24 months may qualify for conditional placement without re-attendance, subject to verification.

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Selection Process & Testing

• Application review (completed application required — do not leave blanks).
• Agility/fitness test; candidates who pass proceed to a written exam the same day.
• Background investigation, medical/physical exam, psychological evaluation, and drug screen.
• Final candidates must show clear background and driving record.

Candidates may purchase study materials for the written exam at their own expense.

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Reasonable Accommodations

Confidential Client will assess and provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship or pose a direct threat to the safety of the individual or others. Applicants who need an accommodation during the selection process should notify the hiring contact.

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.