CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Facing more competition from nearby communities and recruitment challenges, the Clarksville Police Department is increasing entry-level pay for officers from $47,480 to $57,712.
There’s a rising police officer deficit in Clarksville, and in many cases it’s related to pay being higher at nearby agencies, Police Chief Ty Burdine said while presenting his plan at the March 18 Public Safety Committee meeting.
Officers have left Clarksville for better pay
Since 2025, 46 officers have left CPD. This includes those who have retired from service, however, 28 of those officers have resigned for other opportunities. Burdine said that for equipment alone, this cost the department $301,000, not factoring in academy and training costs. The cost per cadet is equivalent to $10,795 in uniform and training academy costs.
Burdine compared CPD patrol officer starting salary to what’s offered by several other agencies, including Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Metro Nashville, Hendersonville and Tennessee Highway Patrol, all in commuting distance of Clarksville, and he said Clarksville isn’t keeping up in pay. “These people live in our city, and can still drive to these places to work. It used to not be the case: You used to have to live within the city,” Burdine said…