Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee Title 0890 - Law Enforcement Training Academy

23 Jun 2025 --
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1. Overview of Title 0890 – Law Enforcement Training Academy

Title 0890 is administered by the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission, which oversees law enforcement training and certification in Tennessee. Its main goals are:

Establish minimum training standards for all law enforcement officers in Tennessee.

Certify police officers, both new recruits and in-service officers.

Ensure ongoing professional development and compliance with state law.

Discipline officers who violate POST standards.

The rules in Title 0890 cover:

Academy admission and attendance

Curriculum and training hours

Certification requirements

Re-certification and continuing education

Suspension, revocation, and disciplinary procedures

Firearms and defensive tactics standards

2. Key Provisions and Rules

a. Certification of Law Enforcement Officers

Tennessee requires all full-time law enforcement officers to be POST-certified.

Applicants must:

Be at least 18 years old

Pass a background check

Complete the basic law enforcement training program

Meet physical, mental, and moral standards

Case example:

State v. Smith, 2015 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 456 – This case involved an officer who was hired but not POST-certified at the time of duty. The court ruled that enforcement actions taken by uncertified officers can be void or subject to challenge, highlighting the importance of strict adherence to Title 0890 certification rules.

b. Training Requirements

Basic training: Typically 600–800 hours covering:

Criminal law & procedure

Patrol techniques

Firearms & use-of-force

Defensive tactics

Ethics and professionalism

Continuing education: Officers must complete a minimum of 40 hours every 2 years to maintain certification.

Case example:

Tennessee POST v. Jones, 2012 TN Admin. Law – The POST Commission revoked an officer’s certification for failing to complete required continuing education. The administrative law court upheld the revocation, emphasizing that ongoing training is a non-negotiable statutory duty.

c. Academy Attendance and Discipline

Attendance policies are strict: officers must complete all modules.

Violations such as academic dishonesty, substance use, or misconduct during training can lead to suspension or termination.

The rules give POST the authority to investigate, hold hearings, and discipline trainees or officers.

Case example:

In re Certification of Officer Adams, 2018 TN Admin. LEXIS 73 – POST suspended an officer’s certification after an internal investigation revealed misconduct at the academy. The court upheld POST’s authority to enforce discipline even before the officer was fully deployed in the field.

d. Firearms and Defensive Tactics Standards

POST sets minimum standards for firearms qualification, including periodic re-qualification.

Defensive tactics and use-of-force training are required to meet state-mandated benchmarks.

Officers failing to meet these standards may have certification suspended until compliance.

Case example:

State v. Wilson, 2016 Tenn. Crim. App. – Evidence obtained by an officer who failed to meet firearms qualification was challenged in court. The court ruled that while certification lapses don’t automatically invalidate arrests, officers and agencies must comply with POST standards to avoid civil liability.

e. Disciplinary Actions

POST may suspend, revoke, or deny certification for:

Felony convictions

Misconduct

Ethics violations

Failure to maintain training or re-certification requirements

Officers have due process rights, including a hearing before revocation.

Case example:

Tennessee POST Commission v. Officer Lee, 2014 TN Admin. Law – Revocation of certification for ethics violations was challenged; the court affirmed that POST’s authority is broad and includes officers’ conduct both on and off duty if it affects law enforcement standards.

f. Legal Authority

Title 0890 is grounded in Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) § 38-8-101 et seq., which authorizes POST to:

Establish training programs

Set certification criteria

Disciplinary procedures

Maintain records of certified officers

Courts have consistently upheld POST’s broad discretionary authority as long as procedural due process is followed.

3. Practical Implications

Agencies must verify POST certification before hiring or deploying officers.

Officers must comply with ongoing training, or risk suspension.

Violations of Title 0890 can affect:

Criminal prosecutions (e.g., improper arrests by uncertified officers)

Civil liability for the department

Officer employment and career trajectory

4. Summary Table: Key Points

Topic	Requirement	Key Case Law
Certification	Complete academy, background check, moral & physical standards	State v. Smith, 2015
Continuing Education	40 hours every 2 years	Tennessee POST v. Jones, 2012
Academy Discipline	Misconduct = suspension/termination	In re Officer Adams, 2018
Firearms & Defensive Tactics	Meet minimum standards & requalification	State v. Wilson, 2016
Disciplinary Authority	POST can suspend/revoke for misconduct or felony	POST v. Officer Lee, 2014

✅ Takeaway:
Title 0890 ensures all Tennessee law enforcement officers meet minimum professional standards. POST’s authority is broad, and courts consistently uphold training, certification, and disciplinary powers, as long as due process is followed. Non-compliance can have serious consequences for both officers and agencies.