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Training Division
Recognizing that the image and perception of the Bureau rests on each employee, TBI emphasizes the continuing and latest training and professionalism of all employees. Therefore, the mission of the Training Division is to provide oversight, guidance, and inspire through excellence in training and research. The Training Division is headed by an Assistant Director with the assistance of an Executive Officer and staff who are responsible for ensuring that Bureau personnel receive the training they require to perform their duties safely and effectively. The Division’s staff also coordinates the design, development, revision, and implementation of training programs and lesson plans.
In addition, the Training Division conducts classes for more than 8,500 members of Tennessee law enforcement. This includes a wide range of topics including Fingerprinting, Child Sex Abuse, Prescription Fraud, Death Investigations and Methamphetamine 101. The Division also spearheads the TBI basic criminal investigation school which is attended by all special agents as well as members of the Tennessee Department of Correction, Tennessee Department of Safety, Tennessee Bomb and Arson, Tennessee Department of Revenue, and District Attorneys General.
The Training Division also coordinates TBI instructors for the City and County criminal investigation school held at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy and provides current law enforcement officers with the TBI State Academy which is a six week professional and prestigious training program in conjunction with Bethel University's College of Criminal Justice. The Division is responsible for oversight of TBI’s Citizens’ Academy, which provides Tennessee residents a magnified view of the Bureau’s mission and daily work.
The Division works closely with the Human Resource Unit with providing support in recruitment efforts as well as hosting career fairs that inspire diversity. With the aid of the Human Resource Unit and Professional Standards Unit, the Training Division ensures all TBI management, staff, sub-recipients, contractors, and service beneficiaries meet the provisions of Title VI and IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the minimum requirements to be in compliance with its rules, laws, and regulations. Training Division personnel also coordinates and gives tours of TBI Headquarters as requested.
TBI State Academy
The TBI State Academy was created as a professional and prestigious training ground for Tennessee law enforcement officers who long for the opportunity to expand their education and training in the criminal justice field. The TBI State Academy was developed with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's origin, tradition, and mission in mind and is geared toward advancing techniques, science and strategy for the law enforcement community. It is a five day a week commitment for six weeks and includes leadership courses, constitutional law, communications intelligence, fianancial investigations, and undercover investigations. Attendees must have a minimum of five years experience as a full-time commissioned officer of a Tennessee law enforcement agency.
Volunteer Internship Program
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Volunteer Internship Program is an unpaid internship opportunity for full-time students that are interested in a criminal justice or forensic career and are pursuing an undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate degree from an accredited college or university. The program provides an exciting insider's view of TBI operations and gives the student a chance to explore career opportunities within the Bureau.
The Volunteer Internship Program, which is administered by the TBI Training Division, provides students the opportunity to work at TBI headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as TBI field office locations whenever possible.
Click here for Volunteer Internship Application
Firearms Program
TBI’s Firearms Program is housed within the Training Division. The program ensures that commissioned agents are trained to shoot all Bureau issued weapons in a safe and effective manner. In order to maintain a successful program the Bureau relies on its retired TBI agents as a supportive resource for TBI firearm instructors across the state.
Uniformed Officer Unit
The Uniformed Officer Unit is also encompassed within the Training Division and is comprised of 11 commissioned uniformed law enforcement officers who are cross-trained as certified emergency medical technicians capable of providing aid and comfort to sick and injured persons on Bureau properties until additional medical help and emergency transportation arrives. The unit’s primary role, however, is to provide security to TBI facilities, specifically the Nashville Consolidated Headquarters Facility. Occasionally, officers will provide support to agents in the field with searches or arrest round-ups of wanted criminals.
Chaplain Program
The TBI Chaplain Program is also housed within the Training Division. The program is a volunteer non-sworn position to support the mission of the TBI in providing a source of strength to law enforcement officers and their families, other department members, and the community. The program will support employees in the handling of crisis situations, comfort victims and their families when accidents occur and criminal incidents are committed, and provide counseling and other ministerial functions that may be needed.
