Police Units

Patrol Division

The Patrol Division of the Pigeon Forge Police Department is supervised by Captain Ralph Carr.

Both the Patrol and Traffic Divisions operate on a 10-hour schedule, and officers do not rotate shifts.

Patrol Structure

The department’s three patrol shifts are supervised by lieutenants serving as watch commanders. These watch commanders oversee all patrol and traffic division functions during their assigned shift.

The Patrol Division has 54 officers, organized with:

  • 1 Sergeant per shift
  • 2 Corporals per shift

The Traffic Division is staffed by 6 officers, who utilize motorcycles whenever weather conditions permit.

School Resource & Specialized Officers

The department also employs 4 School Resource Officers, serving:

  • Pigeon Forge High School
  • Pigeon Forge Junior High School
  • Pigeon Forge Intermediate School
  • Pigeon Forge Primary School

The SRO assigned to the Intermediate School also serves as the department’s LEAD instructor.

Additionally, the department has a Code Enforcement Officer assigned to the Public Works Department.

Patrol Responsibilities

Patrol is the department’s primary law enforcement function, encompassing far more than routine patrol duties. Officers perform a wide range of critical responsibilities, including:

  • Enforcing criminal and traffic laws
  • Responding to calls for service
  • Conducting preliminary and follow-up investigations
  • Transporting prisoners
  • Crime prevention initiatives
  • Community relations and outreach

Officers also support nearly 70 special events each year. These range from small community activities—such as kindergarten classes visiting the police department—to major operations including week-long events like the National Quartet Convention and large-scale car shows.

Motor Unit 

“Street Knights”

The Pigeon Forge Police Department’s motorcycle division, known as the Street Knights, is comprised of six highly trained officers. Each motor officer completes both the Basic Police Riders Course and the Basic Radar Operator Course, and must maintain a high level of physical fitness to safely perform all motorcycle-related duties.

The primary responsibilities of the Motor Unit include:

  • Traffic enforcement throughout the city
  • Crash investigation and response
  • Directed patrols in areas identified as high-risk through crash data or citizen/guest concerns
  • Community engagement, where motor officers offer increased accessibility and visibility
  • Special event support, including funeral processions and dignitary escorts

The Street Knights typically operate from March through October, depending on weather conditions, but may be deployed year-round when conditions allow.

If you have traffic concerns or complaints you would like the Street Knights to address, please contact the Pigeon Forge Police Department by calling 865-453-9063 and asking to speak with a lieutenant or shift supervisor. You may also email your concerns to pd@cityofpigeonforgetn.gov.

Tactical Rescue Unit

The Tactical Rescue Unit (TRU) is deployed during high-risk situations that present greater danger to officers and the community than typical calls for service. TRU responds to critical incidents such as hostage situations, sniper threats, barricaded subjects, high-risk felony arrests, and search warrants involving dangerous suspects. The unit may also be activated whenever the watch commander or shift supervisor determines that specialized tactical support is necessary.

The TRU is comprised of highly trained sworn officers from the Pigeon Forge Police Department, assigned to either the assault team or sniper roles. Each member is selected for professionalism, discipline, and the ability to operate cohesively in high-pressure environments.

Membership Requirements

Selection for the TRU is highly competitive and requires:

  • A minimum of two years of service with the Pigeon Forge Police Department
  • A score of 92% or higher on all phases of firearms qualifications
  • Proven discipline and the ability to follow orders safely and efficiently
  • Strong team-oriented mindset to support mission success
  • Successful completion of the Pigeon Forge Police Department SWAT training course
  • A comprehensive interview process conducted by current TRU members

Only candidates who meet these stringent standards and demonstrate exceptional skill, judgment, and teamwork are chosen to join the Tactical Rescue Unit.

Communications Division

The Communications Division is staffed by 14 highly trained civilian employees who serve as the department’s communication officers. Each member of the team holds national certifications in communications and crime-information data access.

Our communication officers manage a wide range of critical responsibilities, including:

  • Dispatching officers to calls for service
  • Conducting checks for wanted individuals, stolen vehicles, and property
  • Monitoring and answering multiple emergency and non-emergency phone lines
  • Overseeing the city’s closed-circuit camera network, including traffic and location-specific surveillance systems

Their work ensures that vital information flows efficiently and securely, supporting the safety of both our officers and the community.

Crisis Negotiation Unit

The Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU) is composed of 7 dedicated members of the Pigeon Forge Police Department, including both sworn officers and civilian personnel. Each member has successfully completed a forty-hour Basic Crisis Negotiations Course, ensuring they are fully prepared to handle high-pressure situations that require specialized communication skills.

The CNU can be activated at any time and is equipped to respond quickly with all necessary tools and resources to safely manage and resolve crisis incidents.

Canines

The Pigeon Forge Police Department is proud to have four highly trained canines assisting the Patrol Division. Three of the canines are dual-purpose, trained in both narcotics detection and tracking/apprehension. The fourth canine specializes in explosive detection but is also trained for tracking duties.

Committed to Service

The Pigeon Forge Police Department operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, dedicated to providing the highest level of service to our citizens and visitors.