Position Title: Police Officer I
Department: Police Department
FLSA Status: Non–Exempt / Hourly
Salary: Grade: H Starting: $28.56
Supervision: Police Sergeant Last Reviewed: 07/20/26
Protect. Serve. Belong.
Step into a career where you make a difference every single day. As a Patrol Officer with the City of La Vergne, you’ll serve a growing community that values its officers and invests in their future. This is more than a job; it’s a calling, and we back it with pay, benefits, and incentives that rival any in Tennessee law enforcement:
- Hiring Bonuses Available: Eligible officers may qualify for up to $10,000 in recruitment and retention bonuses through the State of Tennessee, paid over three years (first-come, first-served while funds last).
- Clear Pay Progression:
- Uncertified candidates start at $28.56/hour and then go to $29.42/hour after completing the FTO program.
- Certified transfer candidates start at $30.30/hour.
- 100% Paid Insurance for you and your family — health, dental, vision, life, disability, and even Lasik.
- Retirement You Can Count On: 401(a) with 4.5% city contribution plus a 457 plan with matching up to 3.5%, vested immediately.
- Paid Time Off that Respects Your Life: vacation, sick, personal days, 12 holidays, and your birthday off.
- Longevity Pay & Incentives: annual service bonuses, plus incentive pay for advanced certifications.
- Professional Growth: continuous training, career advancement opportunities, and support through confidential employee programs.
Job Summary
Under the direct supervision of the Field Training Officer (FTO) and Shift Sergeant, this sworn law enforcement position is responsible for: the protection of the lives, property, safety, and security of the citizens and visitors of the City of La Vergne; to enforce the laws of the State of Tennessee and ordinances of the City of La Vergne; and to serve all the citizens equally and impartially with Professionalism, Integrity, Honor, and Respect, in accordance with their Oath of Honor, the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, the Canons of Law Enforcement Ethics, departmental General Orders, policies and procedures, as well as the mission and vision of the La Vergne Police Department. THIS IS A SAFETY-SENSITIVE POSITION
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Patrol a designated area of the city by operating a patrol motor vehicle or on foot for extended periods of time, to prevent or discover criminal activity, identify needs for community problem-solving, or as a showing of police presence as a deterrent to crime.
- Respond to and investigate various types of calls-for-service involving traffic crashes, misdemeanors, felonies, city, state, or federal offenses, nuisances, as well as other calls that benefit and provide care and concern for the citizens of La Vergne.
- Use problem-solving skills, creativity, and innovative approaches to identify citizens’ concerns, present options for courses of action, identify resources, plan for implementation of desired changes, and evaluate success.
- Coordinate information and resources among other department employees, public and private agencies, and citizens regarding crime problems and solutions.
- Recognize suspicious behaviors or circumstances involving persons that may indicate involvement in criminal offenses, stopping and interviewing, and completing field interview cards.
- Demonstrate and maintain the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using a calm demeanor.
- Demonstrate and maintain the ability to analyze situations and adopt a quick, effective, reasonable, and legal course of action. Include highlighted text below by joining with “;” with this bullet point instead of separating.
- This includes the ability to remain calm, composed, undistracted, and in full control of cognitive abilities while functioning appropriately in hostile, dangerous, or threatening situations that may require force, up to and including deadly force.
- Must be able to maintain rational, cognitive decision-making abilities and self-control in situations or environments that may be personally offensive, or which involve considerable stress, danger, personal risk, violence, or hostility. This includes the ability to exercise restraint when verbally or physically provoked.
- Interact with various people functioning under various emotional states to manage interpersonal conflicts, resolve or stop criminal activity, obtain, or provide information, or counsel and give aid to maintain order or provide service.
- Promote goodwill by talking casually with people, answering questions, giving directions or information, referring citizens to others or the appropriate service agency, and learning of situations requiring police action or intervention to gain community members' confidence and support.
- Examine ill or injured persons and administer the appropriate first-aid treatment to prevent further injury or loss of life, up to and including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
- Direct or re-route vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic at emergency scenes, high-volume traffic locations, schools, or special events, using hand signals or flashlights, to ensure the safety of pedestrians and vehicle operators and the smooth and safe flow of traffic.
- Must be familiar with computers and computer systems, especially Microsoft Office, and quickly learn the use of LPD Law Enforcement Records Management System Software (LERMS) and Mobile Reporting Software. Most reports will be done electronically, including the reporting of traffic crashes, searching criminal justice databases, reporting incidents and criminal offenses, recording and processing evidence, etc.
- Must demonstrate and maintain the ability to walk, run, jump, or dodge obstacles, and climb stairs, fences, and ladders in pursuit of fleeing suspects.
- Must demonstrate and maintain the ability to lift, drag, push, or pull people or objects (including motor vehicles), and the ability to use restraining devices and hands/feet for self-defense.
- Must demonstrate and maintain a high level of proficiency with the operation of pistols, shotguns, and rifles, in addition to various technologies and other tools.
- Work a variety of shifts, days off, holidays, and special events, must stay over during emergencies, inclement weather, disaster, personnel shortage, workload, or work-in-progress.
- Personnel in this position are also subject to on-call scheduling on a regular basis.
- Photograph crime scenes, victims, autopsies, traffic crashes, property damage, stolen property, and arson scenes, measure and map crime, and traffic crash scenes, and complete detailed logs and reports.
- Properly collect, preserve, package, and transport physical evidence from crime scenes, to facilitate its maximum potential for use in subsequent criminal or civil proceedings and ensure the chain of evidence/custody is not compromised.
- Perform preliminary tests on drugs and narcotics in the proper manner to identify the type of drug or narcotic, as well as measure the approximate weight, amount, or dosage unit, and ensure measuring devices are calibrated properly.
- Provide input to the District Attorney General’s Office regarding the submittal of photographic evidence, physical evidence, and diagrams, and testify in criminal and civil courts, pretrial conferences, and Grand Juries.
- Work in conjunction with criminal investigators and other sworn members regarding evidentiary matters and maintain confidentiality of investigations and information concerning suspects, defendants, etc.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be a United States citizen.
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
- Must have graduated from an accredited High School or obtained a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) recognized by the Tennessee Department of Education.
- Associate degree in criminal justice, or a closely related field, or 64 semester hours in such field with at least a 2.5 GPA or higher preferred.
- No applicant shall be considered if they have been released or discharged under any other than honorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States, and a certified DD214 shall be submitted to verify such.
- No applicant shall have any misdemeanor or felony conviction that prohibits the carrying of any legal firearm.
- Must have a valid Driver’s License on the date of application, and a valid Tennessee Driver’s License within thirty (30) days of established residency, with a minimum of five (5) years of driving experience, with no loss of driving privileges in the prior five (5) years.
- All applicants will have an in-depth background investigation conducted by the LPD Criminal Investigation Division, and have no history of any felony arrest, nor have been convicted of or pled guilty to, or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any charge, or to any violation of any Federal or State laws or city ordinances relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor or controlled substances; nor to any misdemeanor arrest involving moral turpitude; and no arrest for D.U.I. in the prior ten (10) years.
- Must pass a physical examination by a licensed physician.
- Must pass a polygraph by a certified polygraph examiner.
- Must be psychiatric or psychological fields as being free from any impairment, as set forth in the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association at the time of the examination, that would, in the professional judgment of the examiner, affect the person’s ability to perform an essential function of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Active Tennessee P.O.S.T. certified, and in current compliance and good standing with TN P.O.S.T. preferred.
Additional Information
- Must have a history of lawful conduct.
- Must possess high standards of honesty and integrity as demonstrated by the applicant’s dealings with individuals and organizations.
- Falsifying, misrepresenting, or omitting information on any required document or during the selection process will be closely scrutinized.
- Must be willing to perform all duties in all weather conditions and other less-than-desirable conditions such as: decomposing and/or mutilated bodies, strong and unpleasant odors, insects, hostility, emotionally charged situations, child and animal victims; work with, around, and in smoke and fire, bio-hazards and chemical environments, hazardous materials, etc.; and, will be required to successfully complete training for all these situations, as well as wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- This position requires the employee to be an organized person who can meet time schedules, deadlines and maintains a very high level of personal integrity, have good judgment, and be able to effectively communicate both orally and in written form.
- The above Job Functions and Competencies are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills. They are intended to be accurate summaries of what this job classification involves and what is required to perform this job.
Application Special Instructions
Once submitted, your completed employment application will be good for one (1) year time from the date of application. This posting is to establish an applicant list for future employment as position vacancies arise. If your contact information changes during this time, please contact Human Resources at (615) 793-6295 to update your employment application. After the one (1) year period has expired, you will need to complete and submit a new employment application to be considered for this position.
Applicants invited to complete testing will be notified via email communication, once testing dates have been established. Must submit the driver’s license along with the Physical Agility Assessment Waiver of Liability in-person upon being invited to complete the required testing for this position.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Ability to exert heavy to extremely heavy, though not constant, physical effort, typically involving some combination of running, subduing and restraining individuals, defensive tactics, crouching and crawling, and the lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials up to and exceeding 100 pounds. Ability to work beyond normal duty hours; ability to adjust schedules for shift assignments and days off, court, callouts, training, and other required activities.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Varied and Dynamic Settings: The Patrol Officer works primarily in an outdoor environment, patrolling urban, suburban, and sometimes rural areas of the municipality in a police vehicle, on foot, or by bicycle. This role involves exposure to various weather conditions, environments, and situations requiring adaptability and resilience.
Community Interaction and Service: A significant aspect of the job involves regular interaction with the public, including responding to calls for service, conducting traffic stops, providing assistance, and engaging in community policing activities. Officers must exhibit professionalism, effective communication skills, and a commitment to serving and protecting the community.
Emergency Response and Incident Management: Patrol Officers are often the first responders to emergencies and criminal incidents. This requires readiness to assess situations quickly, provide immediate assistance, manage scenes, and coordinate with other emergency services. The ability to remain calm, make decisive actions, and manage stress in high-pressure situations is crucial.
Law Enforcement and Crime Prevention: Officers enforce laws, investigate suspicious activities, arrest suspects, and participate in crime prevention efforts. This involves a thorough understanding of legal procedures, keen observation skills, and the ability to gather evidence and information effectively.
Safety Protocols and Risk Management: Given the inherent risks associated with law enforcement, Patrol Officers adhere to strict safety protocols and practices to protect themselves, colleagues, and the public. This includes the use of personal protective equipment, defensive tactics training, and adherence to departmental policies and procedures.
Shift Work and Availability: This position is not remote. Patrol Officers typically work in shifts to provide 24/7 coverage, including nights, weekends, and holidays. The nature of the job requires flexibility and the willingness to work overtime or be called in during off-hours to respond to major incidents or emergencies.
Continuous Learning and Skill Development: Ongoing professional development is important for Patrol Officers to stay current with legal updates, policing techniques, and community engagement strategies. Participation in training sessions, workshops, and certification courses is encouraged to enhance skills and career progression.
Team Collaboration: While Officers often perform duties independently, effective teamwork and collaboration with fellow officers, supervisors, and other law enforcement agencies are vital for operational success. Sharing information, providing backup, and supporting departmental initiatives are integral aspects of the role.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
THE CITY OF LA VERGNE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, SEX, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY, OR VETERAN STATUS IN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
