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Knoxville leaders describe cadet program as paid internship, pathway for 18‑to‑21‑year‑olds to police academy
Summary
KPD leaders told the advisory committee that the cadet program is designed as a paid internship and recruitment pipeline for local residents; cadets are paid $36,000 a year, work up to 40 hours (30 if in college, still paid for 40), are not police officers, and are not armed.
At a meeting of the Police Advisory and Review Committee, Knoxville Police Department presenters described the department’s cadet program as a paid internship designed to recruit and evaluate local candidates for future police work. Presenters emphasized that cadets are not full police officers, receive limited training, and do not carry weapons.
"It's actually really an awesome program," the chief said in describing the cadet pipeline. Department staff told the committee cadets are typically local residents who may be 18 and older; state rules mean recruits must be 21 by the time they graduate from the police academy, which the chief noted is typically six months long. "So theoretically, you could be 20 and a half and enter the police academy and then graduate when you're 21," the chief said.
The committee heard program details: cadets are paid (the chief said the cadet program "pays $36,000 a year"), work a standard 40‑hour week but college students are allowed to work 30 hours while still being paid for 40, and are rotated through different assignments in KPD to gain exposure. The chief described the program as a way for applicants to try the work and for the department to evaluate fitness and character. "We rotate you through different jobs throughout the police department," he said.
Members discussed distinctions among cadets, recruits and academy students. Committee members and KPD staff emphasized the differences in training and authority: cadets are not in the police academy and are not sworn officers; recruits are candidates who are entering or enrolled in the police academy; sworn officers complete academy and field training. The chief said cadets receive supervision and mentorship and that the department is exploring adding part‑time mentors and expanding outreach. He said, "They're heavily supervised. They never do anything when they're by themselves."
Committee members asked about diversity in recruitment and about programs that feed into the cadet pipeline. The chief said the department seeks more African American candidates, has had success recruiting women, and is trying to expand an explorers program affiliated with the Boy Scouts (the chief called for broader partnerships).
The committee discussed whether disciplinary matters reviewed by PARC involving cadets reflected youthful immaturity; KPD characterized the cadet role as an internship where mistakes can be made under supervision and where some participants leave voluntarily. The chief said separations listed "resigned while under investigation" would be visible to potential future employers, and that cadets are not subject to the same state reporting as sworn officers unless a hospital or other authority became involved.
Members asked how citizens can learn about or recommend candidates for the cadet program; the chief asked PARC members to help spread the word and offered to meet with community groups to expand recruitment and mentorship.
The committee did not take formal action on recruitment or program changes; members recommended follow‑up outreach to expand explorers and mentoring partnerships.
