Employment and Recruitment

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE AUGUST 2024 ACADEMY
Please click on the link below "Apply Here" for the application.

Deadline to Apply: 04/01/2024 11:59 p.m. (EST)

Upcoming dates for Physical Agility Test; All tests begin at 9:00 AM EASTERN TIME

Friday November 3, 2023

Friday, December 1, 2023

Friday, January 5, 2024

Friday, February 2, 2024

Friday, March 1, 2024

Friday, April 5, 2024

The written exam will be changed to an electronic version. Click on the written exam sample below to be better prepared for the test.*

APPLY HERE

(Look for either "Police Cadet" or "Police Officer - Lateral")

If a job is not listed at this time, please complete a job interest card and you will be notified when the application is available online.

Do you want to be part of The Scenic City's Finest?

Please email CPDrecruiting@chattanooga.gov

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 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 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 the application and return all required documents.
• Entry-level—Written Exam (Nelson-Denny Reading Comprehension Test)
• Physical Ability Test (Work Sample) 
• 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.

View the Nelson-Denny Reading Comprehension Test Sample

View the Physical Ability Test Work Sample

View a Demonstration of the PT Test

View the Frequently Asked Questions

Lateral Entry

The Chattanooga Police Department does accept Lateral Entry for certified police officers.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The candidate shall have at least 2 years of police patrol experience as a certified sworn officer in a city, county, state, or federal police agency and not have more of a break in service than time in their previous agency. Preference shall be given to former officers with not more than a two (2) year break in service. No candidate shall be eligible for hire whose certification has been revoked for cause.

All candidates shall be currently or previously certified law enforcement officers. Such certification may be from any state.

All candidates shall meet all other requirements for selection as a police officer as established by the Sworn Personnel Selection Process. (See above-Selection Process)

Officers accepted into the Lateral program will receive a bonus up to the first four years based on the number of years of experience up to 4 years.

Accepted candidates will attend a modified police academy as well as a modified Field Training program.

For more information please contact a recruiting officer at the email address above.

If interested in applying please click the link above.  Then click on the listing for Police Officer-Lateral.

 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

After three years of patrol service, an officer may request an assignment to one of the department's specialized units. A few of the vast amount of career opportunities are as follows:

• Auto Crimes
• Juvenile
• Bike Patrol
• Missing Persons
• Burglary/Robbery
• Child Abuse
• Narcotics/Vice
• Crime Prevention
• Recruiting Unit
• Criminal Intelligence
• School Resource Officer Program
• Gang Intelligence
• Major Crimes/Homicide
• Training - Police Academy

• K-9 Unit
• S.W.A.T./H.N.T./E.O.D.         
• Traffic/Motorcycle Patrol/DUI Task Force

CPD Basic Requirements for Police Officers

Tennessee State Law and Chattanooga City Ordinances set forth the following basic requirements:

• Age: Must be at least 21 years of age and under the age of 40 upon completion of the academy
• Fitness: Must successfully complete a physical examination
• Education: Must have a high school diploma or GED
• Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States
• Police Record: Must not have been convicted of, pled guilty to or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any felony charge or violation of any federal or state laws or city ordinances relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor or controlled substances and meet any other standards as set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated Section 38-8-106.
• Residency Requirement: All employees of the Chattanooga Police Department must be residents of the state of Tennessee.
• Driver's license: Must have a valid driver's license.
• Military: Honorable military discharge, if applicable.
• To file an application, contact the City Human Resources Department.

The City of Chattanooga Police Department is an equal opportunity employer and shall ensure that no person be refused employment, given preference, or otherwise discriminated against because of race, sex, age, religion, ethnicity, national origin, disability, disabled or Vietnam era veterans, or sexual orientation, unless such action is consistent with applicable federal, state or local law.

Applicants that have previously applied, but not selected may reapply by updating and resubmitting the online application. Successful written test scores are valid for 3 years and successful physical agility scores are valid for 1 year.