Beginning salary shown is effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Applicants with prior POST experience could begin at a rate higher than indicated.
Employees in this position performs law enforcement duties in an assigned area on an assigned shift, assisting in investigations of criminal offenses and in the apprehension of criminals. An employee in this classification receives intensive training in the various phases of law enforcement work, and assignments are carried out under close supervision during the entire training period. After completion of training, a deputy is assigned to regular patrol duty and is charged with considerable responsibility for the protection of lives and property. In discharging responsibilities a patrol deputy must exercise sound judgment in emergencies and must apply their knowledge of law enforcement techniques and practices in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :
(The examples may not include all of the duties/responsibilities which may be performed or required)
- Patrols a specified zone in a marked law enforcement vehicle.
- Checks doors and windows of businesses and residential property.
- Investigates suspicious activities and makes arrests for violations of federal, state, and/or local laws.
- Arrests offenders and escort them to the Justice Center for processing
- Receives complaints and makes investigations of wanted or missing persons and of stolen cars and property, and maintains surveillance for recovery and apprehension.
- Maintains crowd and traffic control as needed due to accidents, emergencies, or at special events where there are a large number of people.
- Administers first-aid treatment and lifesaving techniques to the acquired level of training.
- Reports defects in roadways that require the attention of other agencies.
- Reports damaged traffic control devices and traffic lights that are out of order to the proper agency.
- Issues citations and warnings for traffic violations.
- Makes a daily report of activities and prepares detailed reports relating to specific incidents, accidents, investigations, arrests, or special assignments.
- Assumes responsibility for proper maintenance of assigned vehicle.
- Receives and investigates complaints of a general nature from the public.
- Prepares and presents informational programs on law enforcement-related subjects to interested groups.
- Properly prepares and presents court cases.
- Conducts interrogation of suspects involved in criminal offenses.
- Discovers, preserves, and corroborates physical evidence at a crime scene for presentation in criminal prosecution.
- Prepares details of criminal case files pertaining to major offenses.
- Investigates narcotics and drug offenses requiring a number of chemical tests for suspected narcotics and drug violations.
- May serve on a special unit such as K-9, Marine Patrol, Bicycle Patrol, SWAT, or other special units.
- Build relationships with the local community through interaction with members of the public and creating partnerships and strategies for the reduction in crime (Community Policing).
- Performs related work as required.
Requirements
Job Requirements:
- Be between the ages of 21 and 60 to meet POST and TCRS requirements;
- Be a citizen of the United States;
- Be a high school graduate or possess equivalence. No waivers will be granted for minimum education requirements;
- Not have been convicted of or pleaded to or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any felony charge or to any violation of any federal or state laws or city ordinances relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor and other alcoholic beverages or controlled substances;
- Not have been released or discharged under any other than honorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States;
- Have his/her fingerprints on file with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation;
- Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician;
- Have good moral character as determined by a thorough investigation conducted by the employing agency; and/or the POST Commission; and
- Have been certified by a Tennessee Licensed Health Care Provider qualified in the psychiatric or psychological fields as being free from any impairment, as set forth in the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association at the time of the examination, that would, in the professional judgment of the examiner, affect the person’s ability to perform an essential function of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation;
- Not have been previously decertified as a law enforcement officer by the POST Commission;
- Not have previously surrendered their certification as a law enforcement officer;
- Must have a valid Tennessee Driver’s License;
- Must have passed entry level exam – The National Police Officer Selection Test;
- Meet the POST Commission requirements;
- Ability to complete the required training for Patrol Deputies which includes: Courtroom Testimony, Domestic Violence, DUI, Interview/Interrogation and Officer Survival.
Physical Requirements:
- Close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision.
- Vocal communication is required for conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly.
- Hearing is required to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.