Tennessee Highway Patrol Accepting Applications for New Citizens’ Trooper Academy

Nashville, TN (2012-01-12) The Tennessee Highway Patrol is now accepting applications for the first session of its new Citizens’ Trooper Academy.

The nine-week academy consists of approximately 30 hours of training. It is designed to give citizens a better understanding and awareness in the community of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and its parent agency, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Instructors will use a hands-on approach to educate citizens on the roles and responsibilities of state troopers.

“We plan on giving citizens a firsthand look at what state troopers do on a daily basis. We believe the Citizens’ Trooper Academy will help us build a stronger relationship with those we protect and that relationship will ultimately help us make Tennessee safer,” Colonel Tracy Trott said.

The first session is scheduled to begin Monday, March 5, 2012 in Nashville. Sessions will be held each following Monday through April 30 from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. A graduation ceremony will be held on May 5, 2012. There are plans to expand the Citizens’ Trooper Academy to other parts of the state in the future.

Participants must be at least 21 years old, physically able to meet training requirements, available to attend weekly three-hour sessions, sign required waivers and agreements, and have no criminal history. There is one optional overnight stay at the department’s Training Center.

Applications are available on the department’s website at www.tn.gov/safety. Citizens may also request an application by sending an email message to email.safety@tn.gov.

The deadline for registration is February 3, 2012.

pplications must be returned by that date for processing. For more information, contact Sergeant Stan Hollandsworth at (615) 251-5173 or Shannon Hall at (615) 251-5170.