- Mission Statement
- Core Values
- About Coopertown Police Department
- Applicant Requirements
- Benefits
- What Our Officers Enjoy
- Application
- Job Descriptions
- Frequently Asked Questions
Mission Statement
The mission of the Coopertown Police Department is the protection of life and property, the preservation of public peace and community, and oriented enforcement of the laws. To accomplish our mission, we dedicate ourselves to service and concern.
Core Values
The priority of the Coopertown Police Department is to provide quality public service, based upon high ethical and professional standards. We work to attain a valued commitment of providing citizens fair and impartial service. It includes preserving the peace and maintaining order for Coopertown, Tennessee.
Sworn personnel are trained in conflict management and proactive enforcement. Officers are committed to applying the rule of law and have a unique authority to investigate, arrest, seize, and use force, as deemed reasonably necessary.
The Coopertown Police Department works to provide public service in an expedient and safe manner to all people regardless of race, color, citizenship, or religion. The mission of the Coopertown Police Department is profound because of its breadth, significance, and complexity. It is a diverse service and not a specific product.
Coopertown is made of many communities whose citizens want professional service and reliable protection. The Coopertown Police Department strives to assure citizens’ property and possessions are safe when they are away, and a comfort to know their officers will promptly arrive when assistance is needed.
About Coopertown Police
The Coopertown Police Department is a growing, family-oriented agency seeking qualified and motivated people who have a desire to protect and serve our beautiful community. The Town of Coopertown is a rural municipality, spanning roughly 32 square miles in the southwest corner of Robertson County, Tennessee. Coopertown is located between Nashville and Clarksville, with 3 state highways (Hwy 257, Hwy 49 W, & Hwy 431/Tom Austin Hwy) and roughly 10 miles of interstate (I-24). Absent a post office and official Coopertown zip code, the Town of Coopertown is comprised of an estimated 4,500 residents in portions of Cedar Hill, Greenbrier, Pleasant View, and Springfield, Tennessee.
Coopertown Police Officers are dispatched through Robertson County Emergency Communications and have access to mobile CAD with NCIC capabilities. Additionally, the agency has implemented E-Cite software, designed to decrease traffic stop time, keeping the officer safer.
Law Enforcement applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- High school degree or equivalent. (A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and/or additional certifications are a plus)
- Possess a valid driver’s license.
- Must be able to be POST certified as an officer in the State of Tennessee (meaning the applicant must be able to successfully complete a Tennessee POST-approved law enforcement academy or transition school).
- Be able to qualify with firearms.
- Pass a drug screen, polygraph, psychological and physical evaluation.
- Be of good moral character determined by a background investigation.
- Not 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, or controlled substances.
- Not been released or discharged under any other than honorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States.
Benefits include, but not limited to:
- Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance
- Matching TCRS retirement plan
- Paid Time off (Sick, Vacation, Personal & Comp)
- Take-Home car allowance within 40 miles of City limits for certified officers
- Discounted Tuition through Columbia Southern University
- Uniforms, Firearms, and Training provided to Officers
Our officers enjoy:
- Accelerated Promotional Opportunities
- Annual Pay Increases
- Mobile CAD with NCIC
- Electronic citations
- Paid training opportunities
- Special teams, such as FAA Part 107 certified drone pilot team and ATV team
- Gym membership reimbursement up to $30 p/month
- Free car wash service for patrol vehicle
- Several annual community engagement events
Applications May Be Submitted At Any Time
Patrol Officer – Full-Time Position *
Uncertified – $41,600 to $47,840, DOQ ($20 to $23 p/hr)
Certified – $52,000 to $58,240, DOQ ($25 to $28 p/hr)
UP TO $13,500 IN SIGN-ON BONUSES AVAILABLE *
* – Qualifying Certified applicants may be eligible for a minimum sign-on bonus of $3,500.
* – Qualifying uncertified applicants may be eligible for up to $8,000 in sign-on bonuses.
* – Tennessee Certified officers with more than a year break in service, but less than seven years, or Out-Of-State Certified officers with less than a seven-year break in service may be eligible for an additional $10,000 in sign-on bonuses. Certain restrictions apply.
Please note: Applications must be signed in the presence of a Notary.
Download Application
Please note: Applications must be signed in the presence of a Notary.
***FAILURE TO FOLLOW APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS WILL DELAY YOUR APPLICATION PROCESS***
- Complete the application in its entirety. Do not leave any section blank.
- Each page of the application must be initialed by hand in the applicant’s handwriting.
- The last page must be signed by hand by the applicant.
- The “Pre-Employment Investigation Information Release Form” must be signed in the presence of a Notary.
Interested applicants are asked to mail or hand deliver their notarized application to:
Town of Coopertown
2525 Burgess Gower Rd.
Springfield, TN 37172
Attn: Kathy Thompson
The Town of Coopertown is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, national origin, political affiliation, sex, age, or disability.
Job Descriptions
Job description statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job title. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.
Patrol Officer Job Description
Patrol Sergeant Job Description
Career-Related Frequently Asked Questions
Are you hiring non-certified or certified officers?
Coopertown Police will consider all qualified applicants for the position of Police Officer, whether certified or not. Being certified refers to officers that have completed a Tennessee P.O.S.T.-approved law enforcement academy (P.O.S.T. – Peace Officer Standards and Training commission). Qualifying P.O.S.T-certified officers may be eligible for a $3500 sign-on bonus (certain restrictions apply). While certified officers may require less time to train a new-hire, Coopertown Police will hire the most qualified and best fit for the department and community, regardless of certification status.
I’m a certified officer from another state. If I move to Tennessee, will my certification transfer?
Out-of-state certified officers are required to attend a transition school, a modified law enforcement academy. P.O.S.T. will review the officer’s training records to determine if the curriculum the officer attended during their initial academy met or exceeded what was required by Tennessee at the time of their attendance of a law enforcement academy. If the officer’s state academy did not meet Tennessee requirements for a certain topic, the officer will also have to complete training in that area. For example, if the officer did 20 hours of emergency vehicle operations training at their state academy and Tennessee required 40 hours of training, in addition to the transition school, the officer would have to complete 40 hours of emergency vehicle operations training. If there has a been a break in full-time service for more than 7 years, the officer will have to go through the complete law enforcement academy.
What is the application/selection process?
- The applicant completes and submits the job application, to include signing the application in the presence of a notary.
- Qualified applicants are contacted to schedule an in-person interview.
- Selected candidates from the first interview are contacted to conduct a job preview ride-along.
- Selected applicants are contacted to schedule an in-person Executive Board interview with the Lieutenant and Chief of Police.
- Selected applicants are contacted by the Chief, or his designee, with a contingent job offer based on the applicant’s ability to successfully complete pre-employment requirements – such as a thorough background investigation, polygraph exam, fingerprints, psychological exam, and physical exam.
- Once the offer is accepted and the pre-employment requirements are successfully completed, the officer is officially hired.
Is there a field training program and how long is it if so?
Every newly hired officer, regardless of experience, must complete a comprehensive field training program. The length of the field training program is based on the experience of the officer and may vary depending on the officer’s performance on field training. Newly hired officers with less than a year of experience, no experience, or with an extensive break in service undergo a 16-week field training program. Officers with greater than a year of experience undergo a 6-week field training program focused on acclimating the officer to law enforcement work with the Coopertown Police Department. Depending on the officer’s performance during field training, the Chief may extend the time of the program to ensure the officer is prepared to work in a solo capacity.
What kind of training opportunities do you offer?
We believe training and furthering our education is paramount in the success of the officer and the department as a whole. Coopertown Police conducts annual in-service training to satisfy P.O.S.T. in-service requirements. Additionally, we utilize online training to supplement that training. We go above and beyond the minimum annual training requirements to not only ensure compliance with P.O.S.T., but to be able to offer our community professional law enforcement services with knowledgeable officers. In addition to in-service training, officers are periodically sent to training in areas that may be beneficial and pertinent to the officer’s job.
Do you do any kind of community outreach or events that involve the community?
Coopertown Police hosts several events throughout the year involving the community. Throughout the year at each of our events, we accept donations to help support our annual Shop-With-A-Cop program, ensuring disadvantaged children receive Christmas gifts. We are honored to be able to serve our community and enjoy hosting events where we get to interact one-on-one.