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 seventy-seven (78) employees, which include 63 sworn officers. Of those 63 sworn officers, 50 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 3 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.
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.