University Police Officer Training

All commissioned and certified officers complete an eight-week course of training at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy in Donelson, Tennessee. After completion of the initial training requirements, each officer receives a minimum of 40 hours in-service training that consists of, but is not limited to: Update of legal procedures and changes in laws; crime prevention strategies; firearms instruction and re-qualifications; defense tactics; fire safety and evacuation responses, stress management; suicide prevention; CPR and first-aid; and ethnic and cultural sensitivity. Also, there are two traffic enforcement officers as well as two residence hall security personnel.

All commissioned officers are armed with service weapons and have complete arrest authority in accordance with TCA-49-7-1118 and Tennessee Peace Officer authorizations established by the Tennessee Code Annotated.

Each officer receives extensive instruction on the procedures and limitations under the law for the use of deadly force. In the event deadly force is employed by the actual discharge of a firearm, the Director of University Police will conduct an immediate internal affairs investigation to determine if the use was justified and performed in accordance with legal procedures under the law. University Police are the only personnel authorized to carry or maintain firearms on campus or any university-controlled property or facility. This information is made available to all persons upon entry into any student or employee program. Students are given additional information concerning security policies in a student handbook and this information is also made available on request in accordance with TCA 317, May 8, 1989, "College and University Security Information Act." All information pertaining to security policies and procedures are updated annually. Changes that may affect students or employees are reported through university news media, student handbooks, radio, newspapers and by personal interview or letter.