Lateral Police Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Join the City of Chattanooga Team
Chattanooga, a vibrant and growing community of over 190,000 residents within a metropolitan area of nearly 600,000 is known as the "Scenic City" for a reason. Nestled along the Tennessee River and surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, we are a hub of outdoor adventure and innovation. Home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and Chattanooga State Community College, our city blends a rich industrial history with a tech-forward future-famously powered by the nation's first community-wide "Gig" fiber-optic network. The City of Chattanooga was also recently designated as a "National Park City," the first of its kind in the United States.
Our Organization
As a City, we are powered by a dedicated workforce of approximately 2,600 employees committed to excellence in public service and making Chattanooga the best community in the country. Our team ensures our city thrives through a wide range of municipal services, including:

• Public Safety: Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments.
• Infrastructure & Utilities: Public Works, Waste Resources, and specialized Stormwater management.
• Quality of Life: Award-winning Parks and Outdoors and Community Development systems and the Chattanooga Public Library.
• Transportation: The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) and citywide transit and pedestrian friendly initiatives.
• Innovation: Leading-edge smart-city programs with a commitment to cutting edge workforce development policies to ensure all our residents can get ahead.

Why Choose Chattanooga?
The City of Chattanooga's workforce is the heartbeat of our community. We don't just offer jobs; we offer careers with purpose: making Chattanooga the best city in America. We are committed to being the premier employer of choice in Southeast Tennessee by providing:

• Competitive Compensation: Robust pay scales that reflect our commitment to our staff.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling where possible.
• Exceptional Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits and wellness programs designed for you and your family that deliver savings to you beyond your paycheck, featuring a centralized health clinic and pharmacy for all City employees. .
• Growth: A focus on professional development and upward mobility within the organization.
• The Great Outdoors: Your Backyard Playground: Chattanooga isn't just near nature, it's immersed in it. As one of the most biodiverse cities in North America, the "Scenic City" offers an ecological richness that few places on earth can claim. Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or a weekend wanderer, world-class adventure is always less than an hour away.
• Vertical Adventures: Scale legendary sandstone cliffs in what is widely considered the premier rock climbing hub of the Southeast.
• Water & Rapids: From the high-octane whitewater kayaking of the Ocoee River to world-class bass fishing and peaceful paddling on the Tennessee River.
• Trails for Miles: Explore a massive network of mountain biking and hiking trails that wind through lush ridges, hidden waterfalls, and deep river gorges.

In Chattanooga, "work-life balance" means you can finish your shift and be at a trailhead or on the water before the sun sets.
Our mission is to work together to build a safe, vibrant, and sustainable city for all Chattanoogans. To do that, it takes a team of skilled and passionate individuals. So, if you'd like to call Chattanooga home - or maybe you already do! - and want to further your career through meaningful work that makes a true impact where you live, we'd love to talk to you.
***This is a NON-EXEMPT Position***
SUMMARY
Incumbents in this classification are responsible for enforcing city codes, ordinances and local, state and federal laws and regulations by patrolling, performing surveillance, investigating crimes, responding to emergency calls and performing other public safety activities.
SERIES LEVEL: The Police Officer is the second level of a six level sworn police series.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
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.)
Enforces all city and state codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations in order to protect life and property and to 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; pursues 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 accident calls; gathers information at the accident scene; investigates and reconstructs serious injury or fatal accidents; interviews victims and witnesses; investigates hit and run accidents; notifies relatives of victims as necessary.
Performs functions at accidents, 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 records 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 to confirm identity of individual.
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, fire and EMS personnel, medical professionals, 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.
Maintains cleanliness of vehicle; refuels, checks fluids and tires, and requests service and/or repairs as needed; maintains weapons and equipment in functional and presentable condition.
May perform special operations, investigations, and/or team activities such as media and/or public information, special response team (SRT/SWAT), bike, traffic, DUI task force, negotiations, juvenile, vice, homicide, burglary and robbery, various type thefts and abuse, arson, bomb technician, warrants, gang unit, narcotics, evidence/property control, identification, communications, field training, canine handler/trainer, training, teaching, fleet services, and/or other duties as assigned.
Assists with interdepartmental duties and city activities, which may include working within school zones, directing traffic, assisting in animal control, providing security at city social events and athletic activities, special escorts, crowd/riot control, or other special assignments.
Performs special tasks which may include taking photographs and fingerprints, receiving, issuing, and/or inventory control of supplies and/or equipment, verifying and processing warrants, summons, and related paperwork, assigning vehicles, and preparing lesson plans.
Answers the telephone; provides information, advice and guidance; takes and relays messages and/or direct calls to appropriate personnel; returns calls as necessary.
Attends community meetings and assists with community activities, programs, and crime prevention; may promote, coordinate, teach, and/or participate in outreach programs.
Substitutes for co-workers in temporary absence of same; may assist with overseeing activities of other police officers as assigned.
Uses, carries, and answers their cell phone for business purposes as determined by the assigned job duties and the department head.
Performs other related duties as required.
POSITION SPECIFIC DUTIES:
Positions assigned to Traffic are responsible for: Performing traffic control and enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws. Investigating traffic accidents to determine causes and criminal activity.
Positions assigned to Bike Patrol are responsible for: Patrolling downtown areas to identify potential problems. Maintaining and performing minor repairs to bicycles.
Positions assigned to Canine are responsible for: Caring for and training assigned canine. Responding to reports of felonies to locate and apprehend felons and detect contraband.
Positions assigned to Traffic Investigations are responsible for: Performing basic criminal investigations related to traffic accidents. Controls and directs traffic at accident scenes.
Positions assigned to Crime Analysis are responsible for: Formulating queries to extract information from relational database systems to analyze crime data and identify crime patterns, trends, and series. Utilizing GIS software to map crimes and related information for geospatial analysis to assist in investigations. Implementing and maintaining software systems utilized for crime analysis.
Positions assigned to Investigations are responsible for: Comparing and evaluating a variety of items to make comparisons in investigatory processes, including impressions, fingerprints, and/or other related items. Gathering and analyzing a variety of data and information in support of solving crimes and to aid in the prosecution of alleged criminals. Conducting surveillance. Interviewing witnesses, suspects, and victims.
Positions assigned to the SWAT team are responsible for: Serving high-risk warrants. Responding to hostage situations, barricaded gunmen, active shooters, and other related situations.
Positions assigned to Training Officer are responsible for: Participating in the coordination of basic academy training schedules. Instructing and overseeing Police cadets. Facilitating in-service training, remedial training, and specialty schools related to public safety operations, procedures, and practices. Maintaining the firing range. Maintaining firearms and electronic weapons.
Positions assigned to Internal Affairs are responsible for: Inspecting and reporting on the effectiveness and staff adherence of departmental operations, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Investigating complaints against Officers.
Positions assigned to Special Operations/Events are responsible for: Creating operational plans for applicable events. Maintains historical records and files on applicable events.
Positions assigned to Crime Scene Processing are responsible for: Processing crime scenes and providing expertise regarding the processing and submission of physical evidence. Identifying, collecting, and preserving physical evidence. Photographing crime scenes; recovering and documenting latent prints and/or other physical evidence. Preparing accurate reports pertaining to evidence, property, and crime scene activities. Testifying in court regarding the processing of crime scenes.
Positions assigned to Regulatory Bureau are responsible for: Enforcing ordinances and laws concerning taxi cabs, horse-drawn carriages, wreckers and beer. Facilitates vehicle transfers. Issues permits and collects related fees. Attends and participates in Beer Board and Taxi Board hearing