Department
History
The
City of Pigeon Forge is located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park. It covers approximately
fourteen and a half (14.5) square miles and has a permanent population of
approximately 6500 residents. The city
hosts almost eleven million guest a year visiting our many attractions.
The
Pigeon Forge Police Department has seen incredible growth through the years. The city was incorporated in 1961. Since then there have been 7 Chiefs of
Police. The department has grown from
just a few officers working all aspects of the job to a number that have
advanced training. The officers are able
to handle virtually every type of call for service. We assist many events a year, keeping our
officers busy year around.
Currently there are eighty-two (82) employees,
which include 66 sworn officers. Of those 6 sworn officers, 53 work in
patrol, 7 work in criminal investigations, including one that is attached to
the Street Crimes Unit. 6 are in administrative positions. The
department has 12 communication officers as well as 4 that work in the records
division.
The
patrol division is the backbone of the department. Each shift has one lieutenant, one sergeant,
two corporals and a number of patrol officers.
Those number of patrol officers vary on each shift. The criminal investigations division has one
lieutenant, 4 investigators, 1 evidence technician, and a narcotics
officer. The officers work four 10-hour
days with rotating regular days off.
The employees of the police department, as well
as all the city employees, enjoy a wide, very competitive benefits
package. Those benefits include full family coverage Blue/Blue Cross
health insurance, including a dental plan and life insurance for the entire
family. Currently, these benefits are provided at no cost to the
employee. The City also offers a take
home car program, four 10-hour shifts (with rotating regular days off each
month), opportunity to participate in the wellness program and work out while
on duty and earn 2 days off annually, 457 Retirement plan (match by the City up
to 5%), paid holidays, personnel leave, vacation, and sick days.
To
be employed by the Pigeon Forge Police Department you must be at least 21-years
old (18-years old for the non-sworn positions), have a high school diploma or
equivalent, possess or able to obtain a valid Tennessee driver’s license, and
pass a comprehensive background check.
The application process also includes a written examination, an oral
interview, a physical fitness exam, a psychological profile, and a medical
examination.