If you’ve spent any time driving down Broad Street or hanging out near the square, you’ve seen them. The black and white cruisers of the Murfreesboro TN police dept are basically a permanent fixture of the landscape in one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. But here's the thing. Most people only think about the cops when they’re getting a speeding ticket near MTSU or watching a blue light special in their rearview mirror.
It's deeper than that.
Murfreesboro isn't the sleepy college town it was twenty years ago. We’re pushing toward 160,000 people. That kind of explosive growth changes how a police department has to function. You can't just have a few officers patrolling the outskirts; you need a massive, high-tech operation to keep up with the chaos of the Nashville overflow. Chief Michael Bowen has been at the helm for a while now, steering a department that has to balance "small-town" community vibes with the very real "big-city" problems that come with being a major hub in Middle Tennessee.
How the Murfreesboro TN Police Dept Actually Operates
When you look at the headquarters on Highland Avenue, it's a massive, $56 million facility. It’s a far cry from the cramped quarters they used to occupy. This building is basically the nerve center for everything. They’ve got everything in there from Forensic Services to a dedicated 911 Communications Center.
The department is split into several divisions, but the one you’ll interact with most is Patrol. These are the guys and gals in the cars 24/7. They work in shifts to cover the city’s various districts. Honestly, the city is partitioned into specific zones because the traffic on Medical Center Parkway or Old Fort Parkway can make response times a nightmare if an officer is on the wrong side of town.
Then you’ve got the Criminal Investigations Division (CID). These are the detectives. They handle the heavy stuff—homicides, aggravated assaults, and the retail theft rings that plague the Avenue and the local malls. They also have a specialized unit for Special Victims, which handles some of the most sensitive cases in Rutherford County. It's tough work. It's not like CSI where things get wrapped up in forty-five minutes. It takes months of paperwork, digital forensics, and pounding the pavement.
The Real Talk on Crime Rates and Safety
Let’s get real for a second. Is Murfreesboro safe?
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If you look at the data from the TBI (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation), Murfreesboro is a mixed bag, which is typical for a city of this size. Property crime is usually the biggest headache here. We're talking about car break-ins—mostly people leaving their doors unlocked—and shoplifting. The Murfreesboro TN police dept constantly pushes the "9 PM Routine." It's a social media campaign they run to remind residents to lock their cars and houses every night. It sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how many guns are stolen out of unlocked trucks in nice neighborhoods.
Violent crime exists, but it’s often targeted rather than random. The police department has been fairly transparent about the fact that many of their major incidents involve people who know each other. The challenge they face is the proximity to Nashville. As the metro area expands, the "big city" issues bleed down I-24.
The department uses something called "Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety" (DDACTS). Basically, they look at heat maps to see where crashes and crimes are happening and then flood those areas with patrols. It’s why you might see five cop cars on one stretch of road for a week and then none the next. They aren't just hiding; they're following the data.
Policing a Major University
You can't talk about the Murfreesboro TN police dept without talking about Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Even though MTSU has its own dedicated campus police force, the city police are constantly involved in the "perimeter" areas.
Think about it. 20,000+ students.
Football Saturdays are a logistical beast. The city police have to coordinate with campus security to manage the massive influx of people and vehicles. Plus, there’s the apartment life. Many students live off-campus in the surrounding complexes. Noise complaints, parties getting out of hand, and fender benders near the Greenland Drive area keep the officers busy. There's a sort of unspoken partnership there. The city cops handle the public roads and off-campus housing, while the MTSU blue shirts handle the dorms and academic buildings. It’s a delicate dance.
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Special Units and "The Cool Stuff"
Beyond just driving around and writing tickets, the MPD has some specialized teams that are actually pretty impressive.
- The SWAT Team: These are the guys called in for high-risk warrants and barricaded suspects. They train constantly.
- The K9 Unit: These dogs aren't just for show. They're trained for drug detection, tracking missing persons, and apprehending suspects who try to run into the woods (and there are a lot of woods left in Rutherford County).
- Mounted Patrol: Yes, they still have horses. You’ll usually see them during the JazzFest on the square or during large parades. It’s great for crowd control because a horse is basically a 1,200-pound mobile barricade that people actually like to look at.
- The Drone Unit: This is a newer addition. Using UAVs for search and rescue or to get an aerial view of a crime scene has been a game-changer for them. It saves time and, honestly, keeps officers out of harm's way in certain situations.
Transparency and Community Friction
No police department is perfect. The Murfreesboro TN police dept has had its share of friction with the community, especially regarding issues of transparency and use of force. Like many departments across the U.S., they've had to implement body-worn cameras and update their de-escalation training.
There have been high-profile incidents over the years that sparked protests and calls for reform. The department has responded by hosting "Community Coffee" events and citizen police academies. The idea is to let regular people see what the job is actually like. Does it fix everything? No. But it's a start. They also have a Chaplain program and a Behavioral Health Liaison. This is huge. Instead of just throwing someone in jail who is having a mental health crisis, they try to get a specialist involved to de-escalate the situation. It doesn't always go perfectly, but it's a shift in the right direction from the old-school "handcuffs first" mentality.
Working for the MPD
If you’re thinking about joining, be prepared for a process. It’s not just an interview and a badge. They have a rigorous physical agility test, a psychological evaluation, and a deep-dive background check. Then comes the academy.
The pay has become more competitive recently because, frankly, they have to compete with Nashville (MNPD) and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. They offer various incentives for education or military experience. It’s a tough gig, especially with the 12-hour shifts, but the benefits are solid. They’re almost always hiring because the city is growing faster than they can train new recruits.
What to Do If You Need Help
If you’re in Murfreesboro and you actually need to deal with the police, here's the breakdown.
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If it's an emergency, obviously call 911.
If it’s something non-emergency—like someone keyed your car or you want to report a stray dog—don't tie up the 911 lines. Use the non-emergency number: (615) 893-1311.
You can also file certain reports online now. This is a lifesaver if you just need a police report for insurance purposes and don't want to wait three hours for an officer to show up to your house. The MPD website has a portal for "Self-Reporting" for minor incidents like harassing phone calls or identity theft.
Actionable Steps for Residents
Living in a growing city means you have to be proactive about your own safety. The Murfreesboro TN police dept can't be on every street corner.
- Join a Neighborhood Watch: Many of the HOAs in the Blackman or Christiana areas have direct lines of communication with the department. If your neighborhood doesn't have one, start it.
- Use the Mobile App: The department often posts real-time updates on road closures or active scenes on their social media pages (Facebook and X). It's the fastest way to know why there are six helicopters circling your house.
- The 9 PM Routine is Real: Lock your car. Take your gun inside. Don't leave your laptop on the passenger seat. Most crime in Murfreesboro is "crime of opportunity." If you make it hard for them, they'll move on to the next person.
- Request a Vacation Check: If you’re going out of town, you can actually notify the police. They won't sit in your driveway, but they’ll put your house on a "close patrol" list, meaning officers in that zone will drive by more frequently when they aren't on calls.
- Camera Registration: If you have a Ring camera or a Nest, you can "register" it with the department. They don't get live access to your feed (don't worry, Big Brother isn't watching your porch 24/7), but they'll know who to ask for footage if a crime happens on your street.
The Murfreesboro TN Police Dept is a massive machine trying to keep a lid on a city that's exploding in size. It’s not perfect, and the "Boro" has its rough spots, but knowing how to navigate the system—and keeping your own doors locked—goes a long way. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially in high-traffic retail areas, and don't be afraid to use the non-emergency resources they provide.