Tennessee POST Job Task Analysis

In collaboration with the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards & Training Commission and the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, Middle Tennessee State University’s Department of Criminal Justice Administration and the Center for Organizational and Human Resources Effectiveness are completing a Job Task Analysis (JTA) for all law enforcement in the state. The JTA systematically evaluates the duties, responsibilities, and skills required for police work, which are essential for ensuring officers are properly trained and equipped to meet the demands of their roles effectively and safely.

The posters presented at ACJS include initial findings. Please click each poster below to download, and leave your name and contact below if you want to follow the project.

How Cops Learn: Best Training Practices

Abstract: Police officers require continuous training to be prepared for the field. Knowing what to train is as important as knowing how to train it. We gathered data from virtual focus groups and a survey to identify the best training practices for law enforcement officers in the state of Tennessee. We also collected data on when officers and their supervisors believe it’s best to train these tasks (during basic, on the job, or during field training). This poster will provide a comprehensive presentation on training methods to better prepare officers for the first day on the job.

Authors: Ryah N. Al-Amin & Ben Stickle

Click the image above for a PDF.

How to Be an Effective Peacekeeper

Abstract: Having the most up-to-date training is essential for having officer prepared for the field. As technology, equipment, and laws change, officer training requirements should be updated to match these changes. To identify ways to improve basic training in Tennessee, we gathered data from virtual interviews and a survey to inform Tennessee POST on what law enforcement officers need to be trained on to be prepared for the first day on the job. This research poster will provide data describing the necessary training objectives for law enforcement officers in the 21st century.

Authors: Kendall Summers, Meagan Phimmasone, & Thomas Jurkanin

Click the image above for a PDF.

What it Takes to Be a Cop

Abstract: Policing in the United States has drastically changed over the past 10 years. To address these changes, many states have conducted a job task analysis to identify the minimum requirements of a law enforcement officer. We compiled job task analyses from 11 states to identify how different states quantify being a law enforcement officer. This poster will provide a comprehensive presentation on required tasks across the 11 identified states. This data can be used to inform law enforcement agencies on the essential tasks of an officer and what the minimum qualifications for hiring an officer should be.

Authors: Rhea M. Maladkar, McKenzie Forsee, Carter F. Smith, & Patrick McCarthy

Click the image above for a PDF.

Follow the project

If you are interested in hearing more about this project, please leave your name and email.