Careers

As part of the hiring process, applicants will complete a Pre-Employment Questionnaire (PEQ), a detailed form that helps us understand your background, experiences, and qualifications. This step promotes transparency and allows our hiring team to make informed decisions as you move through the process. The questionnaire covers topics such as employment history, education, driving record, and other information relevant to serving as a police officer. We encourage applicants to be honest and thorough; the PEQ is not intended to eliminate strong candidates, but to help us understand who you are and how you will fit into the Vanderbilt University Police Department.

As part of the hiring process, candidates will complete an authorization allowing the Vanderbilt University Police Department to conduct an initial background screening. This preliminary review helps verify basic information and identify any factors that may affect eligibility to continue in the process. It is an early step designed to ensure transparency and maintain the integrity of the hiring process while allowing qualified candidates to move forward.

As part of the hiring process, applicants will complete both a written competency evaluation and the Physical Agility and Competency Evaluation (PACE). The written competency evaluation measures general knowledge of state laws as well as the ability to understand and apply law enforcement concepts that will be introduced in the police academy.

PACE is based on the Cooper’s Test and assesses the physical abilities necessary to safely and effectively perform the duties of a police officer. Components include a timed 1.5-mile run, a timed 300-meter sprint, timed push-ups, and timed sit-ups. This evaluation measures endurance, strength, and overall fitness while ensuring candidates are prepared for the physical demands of the profession.

These assessments are designed to support your success, not hold you back. With preparation and determination, candidates can confidently meet the requirements and move forward in the process.

Candidates who advance in the process will participate in an oral board review, a structured interview conducted by a panel that includes members of the Vanderbilt University Police Department, campus partners such as Student Affairs and other university departments, and local law enforcement representatives. This approach reflects our commitment to community policing and strong collaborative partnerships across campus and beyond.

This is your opportunity to demonstrate your communication skills, judgment, professionalism, and readiness for a career in law enforcement. You’ll be asked scenario-based and behavioral questions that help the panel understand how you think, how you respond under pressure, and how you might fit within the department. The oral board is not about having perfect answers; it is about showing your character, your decision-making, and your potential to serve the Vanderbilt University community with integrity.

All applicants who progress in the hiring process will undergo a comprehensive background investigation. This review ensures that every candidate meets the high standards expected of Vanderbilt University Police Department officers. Investigators will verify information provided in your Pre-Employment Questionnaire, including employment, education, references, driving history, and other relevant areas.

As part of this stage, candidates will also complete a psychological evaluation, drug screening, and medical examination to ensure they are fit for duty. This step is thorough but straightforward, and honesty and transparency are essential. The process is not intended to disqualify strong candidates, but to confirm that you have the character, responsibility, and integrity needed to serve and protect the Vanderbilt University community.

Successful applicants will attend a state-certified police academy, where they will receive the foundational training needed to become a fully sworn Vanderbilt University Police Department officer. The academy combines classroom instruction with hands-on, scenario-based training in areas such as law, emergency response, defensive tactics, firearms, de-escalation, and community-oriented policing. It is challenging, rewarding, and designed to prepare you for the realities of the profession. By graduation, you will have the skills, confidence, and professionalism needed to serve the Vanderbilt University community with excellence.

After graduating from the police academy, new officers enter the Vanderbilt University Police Department Field Training Program, where they apply their skills in real-world campus environments under the guidance of experienced Field Training Officers. This phase bridges the gap between academy training and independent patrol responsibilities.

Officers will respond to calls for service, engage with students, faculty, staff, and visitors, complete reports, and learn department policies and campus-specific procedures, all while receiving ongoing coaching, feedback, and support. The Field Training Program is designed to build confidence, strengthen decision-making, and ensure officers are fully prepared to serve the Vanderbilt University community safely and effectively on their own.