Job DescriptionPolice Officer - CadetJob Category: Law Enforcement Post date: 10/24/2023 Salary: $45,780.44 Work Hours: Hours and Days may vary and are determined by the Training Staff FLSA: This is a NON-EXEMPT position Department: Chattanooga Police Department (Training Division) ***This is a NON-EXEMPT Position***SUMMARY: This is to join our Police Academy. Cadets will attend a 22-week academy followed by 16 weeks of Field Officer Training. Successful completion of the academy is required to perform Police Officer Duties. Participants in this classification are considered Cadets during the first 22 weeks and once graduated from the academy, transition to Police Officer (Probationary Officer) for the last 16 weeks of training with the Department. The first six months (22 weeks) individuals will be in the Police Training Academy followed by an additional four months (16 weeks) with a Field Training Officer (FTO). Duties include attending class, taking exams and integrating classroom training on the job while working with a Field Training Officer. SERIES LEVEL: The Police Officer - Cadet is the first level of a six level sworn police series. The Police Officer - Cadet is a civilian, probationary position for the duration of the Police Academy. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.) Academy Duties include:
- Attending classroom, taking exams and integrating classroom training during training exercises.
Upon successful completion of the academy, Police Officer Duties include:
- enforces all city and state codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations in order to protect life and property and prevent crime and promote security
- maintains visibility by patrolling assigned area, city streets, parks, neighborhoods, and businesses to ensure security; makes observations for prowlers, vagrants, suspicious persons, and other violators
- performs surveillance of various locations and of criminal suspects; collects and reviews data; develops trends and/or patterns pertaining to locations/suspects; files intelligence reports
- responds to calls for service; investigates reported crimes; interviews and obtains statements from victims, witnesses, suspects, and confidential informants; processes crime scenes, gathers, prepares, and submits evidence to crime lab
- obtains warrants; performs various search operations; locates missing persons
- determines probable cause to search and/or reasonable suspicion to detain suspects; pursue fleeing and subdues resisting suspects; effects arrests; processes and transports prisoners
- responds to emergency calls and calls for assistance; mediates disputes and advises suspects of rights
- assists fellow officers as requested/necessary on domestic and theft calls, executing warrants, serving subpoenas, and making traffic stops
- responds to crash calls; gathers information at the crash scene; investigates and reconstructs serious injury or fatal crash's; interviews victims and witnesses; investigates hit and run crash's; notifies relatives of victims as necessary
- performs functions at crash's, emergencies, fires, and disasters to include directing traffic, administering emergency medical aid, and managing dangerous situations; interacts with EMS teams
- establishes road blocks; administers field sobriety tests; identifies wanted persons/vehicles; impounds vehicles; assists stranded motorists; ensures roadways are clear of obstacles and hazards
- stops vehicles for traffic violations; issues traffic citations and warnings
- contacts command/supervisory personnel for emergency response and critical incident communications
- identifies illegal drugs and hazardous materials; maintains knowledge of the most commonly abused prescription drugs
- enters/retrieves data to/from computer system including stolen property, arrest and wanted persons information, investigation data, and criminal driving record checks; reviews crime statistics
- identifies, documents, and processes various components of crime scene; collects evidence; photographs/videotapes crime scene; processes scene for fingerprints; inspects records and documents and testimony
- documents case information; assists in the prosecution of offenders; appears in court to present evidence and testimony
- responds to questions, complaints, and requests for information by telephone or in person from merchants, community/civic organizations, the general public, employees, superiors, and other individuals
- exchanges information with dispatchers, attorneys, court personnel, medical examiner and professionals, fire and EMS personnel, and other departments and agencies; communicates effectively on law enforcement radio
- maintains current field and code manuals, policies and procedures, employee handbooks, various maps, and related material for reference and/or review
- attends shift meetings, seminars, and specialized/update training sessions as required to maintain knowledge of departmental and city operations, to promote improved job performance, and to maintain knowledge of changing policies, procedures, codes and laws
- completes and prepares a variety of forms, logs, , requests, records, reports, correspondence, and various other documents associated with daily responsibilities of this position; maintains administrative records and files
- cooperates with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and their officers or representatives when activities are related to investigations within city jurisdiction
- performs other related duties as required
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Must be a U.S. Citizen. High School Diploma or GED. All applicants are required to pass BOTH a Written Examination and Physical Ability Test to be considered to attend the academy. Written Examination: Will be scheduled through the CPD Recruiting and CPD HRBP. Written Examination Exemptions: An associate's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.0, or a minimum of 64 college course credits. A cumulative score of 17 on the ACT Test within 5 years of your date of application. A score of 1230 on the SAT Test within 5 years of your date of application. At least 21 years of age and under the age of 40 upon completion of the academy. Physical Ability Test: Will be scheduled through the CPD Recruiting. Previous Military Experience: Must be honorable characterization discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces (if applicable). A P.O.S.T. waiver must be granted for any uncharacterized discharges (must provide military documents explaining reason(s) for the uncharacterized discharge). Must NOT have been convicted of, plead guilty to or entered a plea of nolo contendre to any felony charge of violation of any federal or state laws or city ordinances relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor or controlled substances and meeting any other standards as set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated Section 38-8-106. Convictions include citations-in-lieu of arrest. LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: Upon successful completion of the Academy, Police Officer SHALL possess a Valid State of Tennessee Driver's License; CPR Certification; and P.O.S.T. Certification. KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: Knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, statutes, policies and procedures; public relations and customer service principles; firearms techniques; safety principles and practices; defensive techniques; physical apprehension, handcuffing and restraining techniques; traffic and parking control methods; crime scene evidence collection techniques; physical evidence collection methods; photographic principles; civil and criminal investigation methods. Skill in interpreting, applying and communicating applicable laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures; providing customer service; using a computer and related software applications; operating and controlling emergency vehicles; solving problems; conducting negotiations and mediations; investigating criminal and/or traffic violations; processing crime scenes; using firearms and batons; apprehending, handcuffing and restraining individuals; preparing reports; using defensive tactics; communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Positions in this class typically require running, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. WORK ENVIRONMENT: Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of forces constantly to move objects. Incumbents may be subjected to vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, work space restrictions, intense noises, infectious diseases, criminal suspects and prison inmates. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Safety Sensitive: Y Department of Transportation - CDL: N Child Sensitive: Y SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: All employees must maintain Tennessee residency from the date of hire. This position requires satisfactory clearance of a comprehensive pre-employment background check, physical, drug screen, and lift test, plus additional post offer requirements to include: polygraph and fingerprinting. The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. JES 1.4.23