Police Officer Recruit - Lateral Entry

COK Police Dept • Knoxville, TN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Knoxville Police Department Police Officer is responsible for providing police protection and other services necessary to enforce City laws and ordinances and safeguard residents’ lives, property, and constitutional rights. Duties include patrolling a designated area on foot or in a patrol vehicle; responding to calls, crimes, and accidents; maintaining order and collecting evidence; detecting, apprehending, and arresting suspects; mediating potentially violent disputes; enforcing traffic and parking regulations; communicating with residents and business owners; providing rescue and first aid; and preparing detailed reports and forms. Officers may perform other duties as required.

The lateral-entry role requires applicants to have at least two years of full-time, certified law-enforcement experience within one year of the application date, with P.O.S.T. certification in good standing. If prior experience is not approved by POST, a lateral candidate may be transferred to Police Officer Recruit for the remainder of the academy, and the lateral program provisions will no longer apply. The listed salary is $54,017 annually during the academy and $59,554 annually after academy graduation.

Selected candidates may opt for a conditional offer and immediate temporary employment as a Public Safety Recruit while completing pre-hire steps and awaiting an academy start date. This is a full-time, non-uniformed, non-Civil Service position that pays $42,588 and provides health benefits 60 days following the first of the month after initial employment. Public Safety Recruits perform training-level and support work, including administrative duties, assisting police operations and investigations, traffic and crowd control, evidence and supply handling, and required training. Candidates must pass all hiring components to remain employed; those who pass will be placed in the first available academy as Police Officer Recruits after completing pre-hire requirements.

Requirements

• At least two years as a full-time, certified (P.O.S.T. Certification) law-enforcement officer within one year of the application date; certification must be in good standing. A copy of POST certification must be attached to the application.
• At least 20 years old when applying and at least 21 before beginning the academy; a copy of a valid birth certificate must be attached.
• High school graduate or equivalent; a copy of a high school diploma or GED must be attached.
• Must not have any background disqualifiers.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Tennessee Driver’s License.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, or a U.S. permanent legal resident who applies for or obtains U.S. citizenship within six years of hiring.
• Must meet the required minimum proficiency standard in the operation of firearms and other weapons.
• Current City employees must have completed the initial Civil Service probationary period and received a satisfactory rating on their last evaluation to receive promotional preference.

Responsibilities

• Patrol a designated City area on foot or in a patrol vehicle and respond to calls for service.
• Respond to crime and accident reports, restore or maintain order, and preserve and collect evidence.
• Detect, apprehend, and arrest suspects as appropriate.
• Mediate potentially violent disputes and arguments involving a variety of participants.
• Enforce traffic and parking regulations.
• Communicate with residents, business owners, and others in the assigned patrol area.
• Provide rescue and first aid services to victims of accidents, disasters, and other emergencies.
• Prepare accurate, detailed reports and forms.
• Read case law, legal interpretations, and training bulletins to review court outcomes and prepare for testimony.
• Transmit and receive information over police radio and give instructions to assisting officers or other public-service personnel at scenes.
• Testify in legal proceedings.
• Operate and maintain vehicles, weapons, uniforms, and other issued equipment; maintain firearms and weapons proficiency.
• Conduct high-risk vehicle stops and respond as assigned to crimes in progress.
• Recognize sounds that may require investigation, determine their approximate origin, and take necessary action.
• Examine crime and accident scenes and determine investigative procedures.
• For the optional Public Safety Recruit assignment: perform administrative duties; assist with vehicle towing and impounds; assist officers with assignments, including ride-alongs, radio messages, and retrieving and filing information; attend and pass required in-service training; act as role players and safety observers; assist with criminal-investigation callbacks; perform traffic, parking, and crowd-control duties; serve as walking safety patrols; assist with evidence processing, storage, inventory, and supply control; and prepare investigative reports and forms.

Benefits

• Public Safety Recruit employment provides pay and health benefits, with health benefits available 60 days following the first of the month after initial employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED