Police Cadet

ENTRY-LEVEL SALARY: $ 33,369 annually. 

For more information on the hiring process, visit: https://joinknoxpd.com/

POLICE CADET INFORMATION

REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION AS A FULLY COMMISSIONED POLICE OFFICER

The Police Cadet Program is not a permanent career position with the Knoxville Police Department and is exempt from Civil Service. Cadets are civilian employees who work a minimum of thirty (30) to forty (40) hours/week (for those cadets that decide to complete the optional college education portion of the cadet program, the minimum workweek will be thirty (30) hours per week starting the next semester after the date of hire).  

Upon reaching twenty-one (21) years of age, a Cadet may be certified by the CSMB as a Police Officer if all of the following conditions have been met:

Must have served a minimum of one (1) year as a Cadet/Apprentice with the Knoxville Police Department, unless waived in accordance with the Civil Service Rules and Regulations;

Must take and pass the physical performance test for Police Officer;

Must meet the minimum training requirements of the Knoxville Police Department, as well as the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training requirements;

Must have been determined to have met and maintained all minimum requirements;

Must have been certified by the Civil Service Merit Board as being eligible to be a Police Officer with the City of Knoxville.

Upon entry into the classification of Police Officer, the Cadet will then begin the one-year probationary period for Police Officer as required by the Charter of the City of Knoxville.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AS A CADET

GENERAL: The Cadet/Apprenticeship Program is a civilian position exempt from Civil Service status.   Length of program is a minimum of one year to a maximum of five years.

COLLEGE EDUCATION (Optional): Requires completion of 12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours per year with a minimum grade of “C” (2.00 on a 4.00 scale).

WORK EXPERIENCE:   A Cadet’s workweek will consist of approximately thirty (30) hours per week for cadets choosing the optional college education program, and approximately forty (40) hours per week for cadets who do not participate in the optional college education program.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Unless stated otherwise, applicants must possess and/or meet the following minimum requirements:

• Applicants must be eighteen (18) years of age. Applicants MUST attach a copy of valid birth certificate to their application. Applicants must not have reached their 21st birthday in order to be eligible for the Police Cadet position.

• High School graduate or equivalency prior to hire. Applicants MUST attach a copy of their High School Diploma or GED to the application prior to hire. 

• 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.