No Better Place
To SERVE
Help shape the next great Southern city.
At KPD, we see our work as a calling. We invest deeply in training, champion diversity at every level, and foster a culture where the desire to serve is the foundation of everything we do. We carry a responsibility to shape the future of our great city.
You can play an integral role at the Knoxville Police Department without being an officer. A range of technical, operational, and administrative positions work to keep the department strong.
SALARY & BENEFITS
Live more. Spend less. Love where you work.
SALARY
| Annual Salary During Academy | $52,700 |
| Starting Annual Officer Salary | $58,102 |
| Police Officer Salary | $58,102-$87,075 |
*Lateral Entry salary based on years of current POST certified experience
Knoxville is continually ranked in the top percentile of great places to live for many reasons. The quality of life, affordability, and overall cost of living make this town a great place to call home. Knoxville has all the charm of a smaller town mixed in with some top shelf cultural attractions you would find in a much larger city. Knoxville welcomes the outdoor adventurist, the culinary enthusiast, the cultural explorer,the artistically curious, and the dedicated sports fan.
Job Benefits
Holiday / Sick / Vacation
Take Home Vehicle Program
As a perk of the job, KPD Officers are assigned take-home vehicles at the discretion of the Chief of Police. KPD-issued take-home vehicles are insured and gas is provided.
Real Estate Assistance
Wallace Real Estate has launched its KPD Heroes Relocation Program to assist current KPD employees as well as new hires moving into the Knoxville area with all of their real estate needs.
As part of its Relocation Program, Wallace Real Estate is offering full concierge services, which includes the following: expert help finding a new rental property or making a new home purchase; full listing services for home sellers; and complete home services, assisting in the logistical matters that come with moving into a new home, such as securing a moving company, connecting utilities, internet and cable, and obtaining home insurance and warranties.
Wallace Real Estate is also offering substantial savings on home closing costs, with an average savings of $2,500 on a home purchase for KPD employees and new hires.
In addition to Wallace Real Estate’s relocation program, Homes for Heroes is solely dedicated to serving the needs of local first responders and their families. Homes for Heroes has over 4,000 qualitied real estate and mortgage specialists in all 50 states, most of whom possess a background in emergency response.
Homes for Heroes offers a variety of real estate services, including moving logistics and home purchasing, in addition to significant closing cost discounts.
Knoxville has 20 licensed H4H agents available to serve current and future KPD employees. Visit www.HomesforHeroes.com for more information.
HIRING PROCESS
DO I QUALIFY?
Our Ideal Canidate
- Is 21 years old by the start of the Police Academy.
- Has a high school diploma or GED.
- Is a US citizen or permanent legal resident.
- Has a valid driver’s license.
- Has no felony convictions.
- Is in compliance with our tattoo policy. (Check Policy)
- Has been Honorably Discharged if they served in the military.
- Can pass a mental and physical exam and background check.
- Above all, shows integrity and good moral character.
Learn from the best
A Premier Academy
In 2004, the KPD Police Academy made history as the first municipal academy in the country to earn full accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) which is a distinction that speaks to the standard we’ve held ever since. We are also a fully certified training facility through the Tennessee POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Commission.
But accreditation only tells part of the story. Our recruits complete nearly twice the number of training hours required by the state, because we believe the best officers are built through the most comprehensive preparation possible. That means hundreds of hours in patrol procedures, physical training, firearms safety, and emergency vehicle operation, alongside coursework in constitutional law, human relations, ethics, and stress management. We train the whole officer, not just the uniform.
Our academy campus backs up that commitment with facilities that are second to none. A state-of-the-art firearms center features multiple pistol ranges, a 100-yard rifle range, a rappel tower, and a cutting-edge 360-degree indoor live-fire shooting facility, all supported by a computerized simulation system. Our driving complex includes a sophisticated skid pad, a large skills area, and a fully outfitted city response course, complete with street signs, traffic lights, and road markings and encircled by a roadway that simulates real highway and interstate driving conditions.
The investment we make in our recruits pays dividends beyond the badge. Veterans attending the academy are eligible to apply their GI Bill benefits toward training, and dozens of colleges and universities have recognized the rigor of our program by offering graduates up to 36 college-level credits upon completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applying
How do I apply to be a police officer or police cadet?
Applications for police recruit, police cadet and lateral transfer officers are accepted year-round on a continual basis.
How old do I need to be to become an officer or cadet?
Applicants must be at least 21 years of age by the start of the academy to apply as a police officer; for police cadets, it’s 18.
Do you allow lateral transfers from other police departments?
Absolutely. Applicants must be certified and have at least 2 years of continuous service in a law enforcement capacity (security, corrections, military police, etc., do not meet minimum qualifications). Accepted candidates participate in an abbreviated academy. Lateral transfer starting salary is based on years of POST-certified experience.
Who should I contact with questions about my application?
Email the recruitment office at mhutchins@knoxvilletn.gov.
Can I ride-along with an officer?
KPD does offer a ride-along program, and we encourage those who are interested in joining the KPD to sign up for a ride-along. Some restrictions apply. Contact a recruiter at mhutchins@knoxvilletn.gov or 865-900-4492 for additional information.
The Academy
How long is the police academy, and do you have to live there?
Our academy is approximately 22 weeks long. The schedule is generally Monday-Friday during normal business hours, and recruits return home each day. Recruits are paid during the academy.
Will I be paid while attending the police academy?
Recruits are paid employees with generous City benefits.
What type of training will I receive in the academy?
We believe the best training makes the best officers. Our department and academy are nationally accredited. This ensures that our recruits receive the highest level of training and are best prepared to begin a career in law enforcement. Recruits can expect to receive training in firearms, driving, cultural diversity, crisis intervention, response to resistance, search and seizure, arrest procedures, criminal law, and more.
The Job and Benefits
Are officers assigned their own vehicles?
Yes, and our liberal drive home policy allows officers to take their vehicle home within a 25-mile radius.
Is there a Tuition Reimbursement Program?
Yes. Officers can receive up to $5,250 per fiscal year for college tuition reimbursement.
What shifts do KPD officers work?
Patrol officers work a rotating shift that allows for the maximum number of days off per month, including every other Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
