Police Recruit

Southwest Tennessee Community College is a comprehensive, multicultural, public, open—access college. Southwest has 6 campuses/centers from which it offers over 100 programs and over 20 technical certificate programs.

We foster student success, transform lives, and increase the educational level of a growing community in Shelby County. Southwest is a Tennessee Board of Regents institution, accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

We invite you to become a part of the Southwest Team!

Title: Police Recruit

Employee Classification: Service/Maintenance

Institution: Southwest Tennessee Community College

Department: Police Services

Campus Location: STCC - Multiple Campus Locations

Job Summary

The overall purpose of this job is to train to become a certified Tennessee police officer by completing recruit level police academy training in order to ensure a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors of the college.

Job Duties

• Patrols college grounds and adjacent areas on foot and in motor vehicle to deter crime.
• Enforce Tennessee State Laws and policies and guidelines set by Southwest Tennessee Community College, the Tennessee Board of Regents, and the U.S. Department of Education’s Higher Education Act.
• Conducts investigations into criminal activity, motor vehicle accidents, illness and injuries.
• Prepare Police reports, motor vehicle accident reports, and reports documenting illness or injury.
• Prepare records for court and testify at judicial hearings and trials.
• Monitors and reviews security camera recordings to assist in investigations and to ensure safety for the campus community.
• Provides direction and on the job training to contract security guards. Instruct contract security guards on proper patrol techniques, unlocking and locking college buildings, conducting basic investigations, report writing, and emergency plans and procedures.
• Inspects college property for safety hazards, equipment malfunctions, unsecured doors or other unusual events.
• Unlocks doors to classrooms, offices and other secured areas of the college for authorized persons.
• Provides jump start services to the campus community.
• Perform duties and tasks related to emergency incidents, emergency drills, and the college Emergency Preparedness plan as per the Tennessee Board of Regents Policies and Guidelines 5:01:07:00 within the scope of Campus Security Officers.
• Provides mutual police assistance, upon request, to local police agencies to assist in large scale emergencies.
• Provides first aid and direction in emergency situations and coordinates emergency response by EMS, Fire, and outside police agencies. Inspects and ensures proper operation of police and emergency equipment.
• Types correspondence, forms, reports, and other documents.
• Monitors meetings between college officials and students or employees to ensure personal safety.
• Provides employee termination escorts, personal safety escorts, and security for special events and special security needs.
• Assembles and assists in assembling information for various reports and projects.
• Monitors traffic flow and parking conditions and directs traffic as necessary.
• Issue tickets for parking and moving violations as per college Parking and Traffic Regulations and Tennessee State vehicle and traffic regulations.
• Communicates with internal and external agencies on issues pertaining to the Department.
• Maintains TN P.O.S.T. certification by successfully completing annual training. Attends additional training for professional development.
• Performs additional tasks as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Employee must meet the qualifications of either Category A or Category B
  
  • Category A
    High school diploma or equivalent, valid driver’s license, at least 21 years old, and successfully complete the TN P.O.S.T. academy course and receive P.O.S.T. certification within one year.
    
    
  • Category B (Preferred)
    Valid driver’s license, at least 21 years old, Associates Degree in Criminal Justice and successfully complete TN P.O.S.T. academy course and receive P.O.S.T. certification within one year.
    
    
• NOTE: Candidates hired are required to receive training in the following areas within six (6) months of hire:
  
  • Departmental training in the use of baton and O.C. spray
    
  • Certification in First Aid, CPR, and AED.
    
    
• Continued employment is contingent upon meeting the above listed requirements within the specified timeline.
  
  
• P.O.S.T. certification requires candidates to meet the following standards as defined by the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Commission:
  
  • Must be 18 years of age.
    
  • Be a citizen of the United States.
    
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
    
  • Must undergo extensive criminal background check and may not have been convicted of or pleaded guilty to or entered a plea of no contest 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.
    
  • Must not have been released or discharged under any other than honorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States.
    
  • Have 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.
    
  • 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 a reasonable accommodation.
    

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and have the ability to ascertain facts through personal contact and observation.
  
• Requires the ability to work independently and think clearly in stressful situations.
  
• Must be able to establish working relationship with students, faculty, staff, and others outside the college.
  
• Must be able to perform duties firmly, tactfully and with respect for the rights of others.
  
• A minimal level of physical fitness must be maintained for self-defense and the defense of others.
  
• Working knowledge of PC and web-based computer programs.
  
• Ability to supervise and provide guidance to contract security guards and college employees as needed.
  
• Being proficient in a second language could be helpful to this position but it is not a requirement.
  

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

• The police officer is required to meet the physical standards set by the TN P.O.S.T. Academy and P.O.S.T. Commission.
  
• The TN P.O.S.T. Commission requires police officers to complete 40 hours of In-Service training annually after initial P.O.S.T. certification.
  
• Manual dexterity is required for personal protection, weapons retention and proper use of authorized weapons.
  
• The police officer is required to wear a ballistic vest under the authorized uniform and a duty belt around their waist that supports their holster and firearm and other required equipment.
  
• The total weight of the ballistic vest, firearm and other equipment weighs approximately 25 pounds.
  
• The police officer is required to be able to stand on their feet for long periods of time, walk long distances around campus and climb at least three flights of stairs without becoming exhausted.
  
• Police officers are required to occasionally assist in lifting injured or aided persons and police equipment and supplies.
  

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Candidates who are called for an interview must notify Human Resources in writing at least five (5) days in advance of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

First consideration will be given to current Southwest Tennessee Community College employees who meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

In order to be considered for the position, the following items must be uploaded:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Unofficial Transcripts

A summary of our benefits can be found below: 

https://www.southwest.tn.edu/hr/benefits-overview.php

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Southwest Tennessee Community College is a TBR and AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate against students, employees, or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs and activities.