We're looking for the "Best and Brightest".
Mission Statement
The mission of the Chattanooga Police Department is to enhance the quality of life in the City of Chattanooga by working cooperatively with the public and within the framework of the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Tennessee to enforce the laws, preserve the peace, maintain order, reduce crime and fear and provide for a safe environment. Applications are being accepted now.
There is no other profession that is more rewarding than being a professional police officer. The Chattanooga Police Department is actively seeking qualified applicants to train as police officers. If you have the integrity, good judgment, strong communication skills, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of citizens in Chattanooga, we’re looking for you.
The Selection Process
On the average, the selection process lasts about six months. All applicants must successfully pass each of the following phases in order to qualify for the academy:
- Complete application and return all required documents.
- Entry level—Written Exam
Work Sample (Physical Ability Test)
- Preliminary Questionnaire and Interview Extensive background investigation of criminal history, employment history, residences, scholastic record, credit history and driving history.
- Polygraph Examination
- Final Interview
- Psychological Test
- Medical Examination and Drug Testing Written exam and physical ability retesting available on next scheduled date.
Academy Training
The Chattanooga Police Academy offers the most thorough and extensive training available to police officers in this region. Cadets receive full pay while attending the Police Academy. Academy training consists of twenty-two weeks of expert instruction to provide cadets with the skills to perform the duties of a professional law enforcement officer. Academy graduates display their new skills under the guidance of experienced officers in the Field Training program (FTO). The following is a list of just some of the subjects that are taught in the basic academy:
- Criminal law
- Cultural diversity
- Laws of arrest
- Search and seizure
- Firearms
- Building search
- Unarmed self defense
- Defensive driving
- Physical fitness
- Spanish for law enforcement
- Report writing
- Traffic accident investigation
- DUI enforcement
Career Paths
After three years of patrol service, an officer may request assignment to one of the department’s specialized units. A few of the vast amount of career opportunities are as follows:
- Auto Theft
- Juvenile
- Bomb Squad
- K-9 Unit
- Bike Patrol
- Missing Persons
- Burglary/Robbery
- Child Abuse
- Narcotics/Vice
- Crime Prevention
- Recruiting Unit
- Criminal Intelligence
- School Resource Officer Program
- D.A.R.E.
- Special Ops. - S.W.A.T./H.N.T./E.O.D.
- Gang Intelligence
- Traffic/Motrolcycle Patrol/DUI Task Force
- Major Crimes/Homicide
- Training - Police Academy
C.P.D Basic Requirements for Police Officer
Tennessee State law and Chattanooga City Ordinances set forth the following basic requirements:
- Age: At time of hire, you must be at least 21 and less than 40.
- Fitness: Must successfully complete a physical examination.Education: Must have at least a high school diploma or GED; preference will be given to applicants with sixty (60) or more semester hours (or 90 quarterly hours) at an accredited college or university.
- Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States.
- Police Record: Must be free of any felony conviction or serious misdemeanor. Meet standards set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated.
- Residency Requirement: All employees of the Chattanooga Police Department must be residents of the state of Tennessee.
- Military: Honorable military discharge if applicable.
To file an application, contact the City Personnel Department
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