Police Officer - UTPD
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
Full-time
Law Enforcement / Security
Posted on April 11, 2024
Police Officer (Multiple Positions Available)
Regular Full-time
Annual Starting Salary $51,001.60 / Hourly Rate $24.52
Night Shift Incentive $1.50 = $54,121.60
Primary Function
Performs law enforcement, crime prevention duties and other general police/security services, enforces state and local laws as well as policies and procedures of the University of Tennessee, and conducts proactive patrol by means of foot, bicycle, motorcycle, or vehicle. Assignments are made based on the needs of the department and are subject to change.
Qualifications :
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Community Oriented Policing
• Serves the community through proactive patrol of assigned area to identify potential security related situations and utilizing problem solving abilities independently and through partnerships
• Develops rapport with members of the university community as well as surrounding areas, and establishes partnerships with community members to develop prevention strategies
• Provides safety, crime prevention, and community policing information to contacts over the course of patrol duties, and participates in community relations activities
Calls for Service
• First responder for all emergency calls to include but not be limited to the following: alarms (fire, panic, holdup), hazardous material spills and leaks, traffic crashes, criminal activity in progress, assistance for injured/sick, and crimes in progress
• Responder for non-emergency calls to include but not be limited to the following law enforcement or safety and security concerns: Situations that indicate potential for violence or potential volatility and/or require coordination between UTPD and other UT departments for sensitive student, staff, or faculty issues; lock/unlock buildings; assist motorist
Investigations
Provides initial investigation for all calls of criminal activity and accidents.
• Protects and maintains crime scene as necessary.
• Coordinates with detectives regarding cases that require the additional expertise or involvement of the Criminal
Investigation Division
• Interviews victims, witnesses, and suspects and informs them of options available and additional processes to follow.
• Performs field stops and interviews.
• Makes arrests, issues citations, and gives warnings
• Prepares and submits applicable offense reports, follow-up reports, and other documentation as needed
Judicial Proceedings
• Appears in court as prosecuting officer or witness and presents testimony
• May be required to appear at university administrative hearings to provide testimony
• Prepares and submits applicable follow-up reports
Special Events and Assignments
• Provides security for events such as athletic events, concerts, speakers, visiting dignitaries, commencement, and numerous other social activities where security personnel may be required to provide crowd control and maintain order
Communications
Internal
Daily contact with members of the university includes students, parents, staff, faculty, and visitors to give information/directions, take police reports, conduct preliminary investigations, and provide victim assistance. May represent the department at university meetings or functions.
External
Frequent contact with members of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to exchange information, provide assistance, or request assistance as necessary. Frequent contact with members of the general public during the delivery of law enforcement services. May communicate with news media on occasion. May serve as liaison between department and other agencies.
Physical Requirements
In addition to meeting P.O.S.T. requirements officers must be able to:
• Stand for long periods of time, walk, climb, and lift
• Meet written departmental standards on appearance/grooming
• Pass a thorough background investigation
• Possess good moral character and driving record
• No prior criminal convictions that would prohibit the individual from meeting the standards set forth by the State of Tennessee to become a law enforcement officer
• Pass a Psychological Evaluation
• Pass a medical examination including vision screening and drug testing; must obtain immunizations and medical tests as required
Working Environment
• Required to work nights/weekends/holidays
• Must be able to work in inclement weather or weather extremes
• May be confined to patrol car for an entire shift
• May be exposed to hazardous materials, infectious disease, blood borne pathogens, steam, car battery acid, loud noises, smoke and fire
• Required to be knowledgeable and able to correctly use a TB Mask and other precautionary equipment
Multiple Job Openings Available
The University of Tennessee Police Department has adopted a recruitment/retention plan for newly hired Police Officers. This includes those who are already POST/Commissioned Police Officers and those who are not yet Commissioned Police Officers. Upon hiring you will be placed into one of the categories below. Categories may not be changed therefore whichever category you entered at the time of hire is the category you maintain for payment schedule.
This plan specifically prohibits police officers from leaving one TN law enforcement agency to join another simply to participate in this plan again.
The chart below represents the category (position), dollar amount, and time distribution of payment:
Category
Payment Scheduled
6 Months
12 Months
24 Months
36 Months
TOTAL
(1) POST/Commissioned Police Officer
$1,000
$3,000
$3,000
$3,000
$10,000
(2) Non-POST/Commissioned Police Officer
-
$3,000
$2,500
$2,500
$8,000
Category 1 – POST Police Officer:
(A) Officers who meet the following conditions from outsidethe State of Tennessee:
Officers who have previous law enforcement experience and are currently certified as Peace Officers outside of the State of Tennessee only requiring the state "Transition" academy to receive Tennessee POST certification.
(B) Officers who meet the following conditions from withinthe State of Tennessee:
Officers in good standing who have been POST certified in the State of Tennessee but have been out of law enforcement for more than 1 year but no more than 7 years (thus requiring only a "Transition" academy for re-certification).
Category 2 – Police Officer:
Officers with no previous law enforcement experience and who will need to attend a full police academy
Job Specifications
Minimum Education/Experience
• High School Education Diploma
Preferred Education/Experience
• Associates Degree or Bachelor Degree
• Current Peace Officer Certification
• Security, Military, or Law Enforcement
Skills
• Good customer service skills
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrate self-restraint in challenging and/or difficult situations
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural setting
• Demonstrate problem solving skills
Licensure/Certification
• Must be a certified police officer meeting all of the requirements for P.O.S.T. certification in Tennessee or be eligible for certification upon hire and completion of P.O.S.T approved police academy
• Must have a valid driver’s license in the State of Tennessee or be eligible to obtain one within 30 days of appointment
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must attend and successfully complete, annually, a department authorized and POST approved in-service training course consisting of at least forty (40) hours of instruction.
• Must successfully complete the department field training program within designated time frame.
Probationary Period
All personnel are required to complete a 6-month probationary period.
Training Reimbursement
The department has a training reimbursement plan that requires repayment of training costs if an officer leaves the department before three years of service. Further details will be provided.
Interviews will occur with a committee of internal and possible external committee members. The Chief of Police will make the final decision for hiring.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job classification. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
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