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Metropolitan-Nashville Police Department Transfer Policy: Selecting the Right Officers

NCJ Number
208263
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 71 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2004 Pages: 34-38
Author(s)
Mickey Miller
Date Published
November 2004
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes the new transfer policy of the Metropolitan-Nashville Police Department (MNPD).
Abstract
The MNPD, like other departments across the country, had inconsistent policies and procedures governing transfers that were unproductive for the department and unfair for employees. Prior to filling several vacant positions, the MNPD wanted to develop a set of predictable standards and testing methods governing police transfers. The new policy governs the composition of the selection panel for different positions and the timeframe for the review of the applicant, as well as the selection standards. The selection standards are wide ranging and include a review of the applicants’ personnel records, attendance, work product, physical ability, specialized training, background evaluations, and annual evaluations. The way in which the policy addresses diversity issues is discussed, as are the selection methods, which include written examinations, completion of the police motorcycle rider certification course, and oral examinations. To ensure fairness, applicants who are not selected are invited to review the data that the selection panel used to make their decisions. The new policy is expected to increase the predictability, fairness, and consistency of police transfers within the MNPD.