ENTRY-LEVEL SALARY: $54,017 annually (during academy)
POLICE OFFICER SALARY: $59,554 annually (after graduation from academy)
For more information on the hiring process, visit https://joinknoxpd.com/
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
A Police Officer with the Knoxville Police Department is responsible for providing a variety of police protection and other services necessary to enforce the laws and ordinances of the City and for safeguarding the lives, property, and constitutional rights of its citizens. The following are general examples of some of the duties and responsibilities of a Knoxville Police Officer; however, the duties and responsibilities are not limited to the following list:
Responsible for patrolling a designated area of the City on foot or in a patrol vehicle to respond quickly to calls for service
Responsible for responding to reports of crimes or accidents to restore or maintain order and preserve and collect evidence
Responsible for detecting, apprehending and arresting suspects as appropriate
Responsible for mediating disputes or arguments of a potentially violent nature involving a wide variety of participants (i.e., family members, neighbors, landlords and tenants, rival youth gangs, etc.)
Responsible for enforcing traffic and parking regulations
Responsible for communicating with residents, business owners, etc., in the assigned patrol area
Responsible for providing rescue and first aid services to victims of accidents, disasters, and other emergency situations
Responsible for preparing accurate and detailed reports and forms
Performs other duties as required
THE FOLLOWING KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES ARE BASIC REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO PERFORM THE JOB OF POLICE OFFICER:
Ability to read case law, legal interpretations, training bulletins, etc., in order to review results of court cases, prepare for testimony, etc.
Ability to write in-depth narrative reports
Ability to transmit and receive messages over police radio by voice in order to exchange information
Ability to give instructions to assisting officer or other public service personnel at crime scenes, accident scenes, etc.
Ability to testify in legal proceedings
Ability to operate and maintain vehicles, weapons, uniforms, and other issued equipment
Ability to qualify in required practice of operation of firearms and other weapons to maintain a minimum standard of proficiency
Ability to conduct high risk vehicle stops
Ability to respond as assigned to crimes in progress
Ability to recognize sounds that should be investigated and their approximate origin (e.g., breaking glass, angry or fearful voices, alarms, etc.) and take necessary action
Ability to examine crime/accident scenes in order to determine investigative procedures to follow.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Unless stated otherwise, applicants must possess and/or meet the following minimum requirements prior to the application deadline.
• Current City Employees may apply, but must have completed initial Civil Service probationary period and must have received a satisfactory performance rating on their last evaluation to receive promotional preference.
• Applicants must have reached their 21st birthday before the application can be accepted. Applicants MUST attach a copy of valid birth certificate to their application.
• High School graduate or equivalency. Applicants MUST attach a copy of their High School Diploma or GED to the application.
• Applicants must not have any background disqualifiers.
• Applicants are required to possess or be able to obtain a valid Tennessee Driver’s License.
• Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen, or a Permanent Legal Resident of the U.S .and applies for or obtains U.S. Citizenship within six years of hiring.
PUBLIC SAFETY RECRUIT OPTION
The City of Knoxville offers an opportunity for selected candidates to receive a conditional offer of employment and be hired immediately as a Public Safety Recruit. This allows candidates to be employed by the City while pending the remaining steps of the process (Medical, background, psychological).
Public Safety Recruit is a temporary, full-time position that provides pay and health benefits (60 days following the first of the month after initial employment) while a candidate goes through the pre-hire process. This is a non-uniformed, non-Civil Service position and will provide an opportunity to assist the Police Department with non-uniformed work as well as receiving physical and departmental training to prepare for better success in the academy.
Note that candidates who opt to be hired as a Public Safety Recruit must pass all required hiring components in order to remain employed. Upon failure of any portion of the process, the candidate will be separated from employment. Candidates who successfully pass all portions of the process will remain Public Safety Recruits and will be placed in the first available academy as Police Officer Recruits following completion of all pre-hire requirements.
The pay for Public Safety Recruit is $42,588 and candidates are eligible for health benefits 60 days following the first of the month after initial full-time employment with the City.
A brief job description is provided below:
This position is a temporary, non-uniformed position to allow individuals selected and given a conditional offer of employment as Police Officer Recruits to be hired as temporary employees while they undergo pre-employment processes and wait for the academy start date. Temporary incumbents will conduct training level work in general duty police activities to introduce them to the fundamentals of law enforcement and prepare for the academy. This position will support police operations, such as traffic control, performing administrative duties and assisting with criminal investigations.
JOB FUNCTIONS
Performs administrative duties within the various areas of the Police Department as assigned.
Assists with vehicle towing and impounds.
May assist police officers with daily assignments, which could include ride-alongs, transmitting radio messages, and retrieving and filing information.
Maintains physical requirements of the position.
Must attend and successfully pass all in-service training courses as prescribed by the Knoxville Police Department.
Acts as role players for training purposes.
Assists with callbacks for criminal investigations.
Enforces traffic and parking regulations within the City, cites violators as necessary, and performs traffic and crowd control duties as directed.
Acts as walking safety patrols in parks and on City sidewalks.
Assists in processing and storing evidence, storage inventory and control of department supplies.
Responsible for preparing accurate and detailed investigative reports and completing necessary forms to document occurrences.
Acts as safety observer for pre-hire physical testing.
Performs related work as required.
Knoxville, located on the Tennessee River in East Tennessee, is the county seat of Knox County and home to the University of Tennessee. Founded in the late 18th century and once the state’s capital, the city grew as a major trade hub. Today, it features a lively downtown, historic landmarks like the Sunsphere, and easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains. Knoxville blends Appalachian culture, outdoor adventure, and a welcoming community spirit.
The City of Knoxville is the municipal government serving Tennessee’s third-largest city and the county seat of Knox County. It provides essential services such as public safety, infrastructure, utilities, and community development while promoting economic growth and quality of life. Guided by the Mayor–Council form of government, Knoxville emphasizes sustainability, neighborhood vitality, and strong civic engagement.
