We are excited to announce we have opened applications for hiring to our Patrol Division. Accepted applicants will begin the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Certified Officers Regional Training Academy beginning in early August. All applications for this Patrol position must be completed by April 30,2025.
Your Career starts here
KCSO representatives and mentors will be at this event and we would love to meet with you and chat.
ABOUT KCSO
Who We Are
The men and women of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office are dedicated to enforcing the law and protecting the public. This agency has demonstrated the professionalism and expertise to help guide the community as it continues its remarkable growth.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) has a proud and distinguished history that dates to 1808 and has grown to be East Tennessee’s largest law enforcement agency. Today, more than 1,000 employees work for the office – a group of men and women who are dedicated to protecting public safety in our community. Approximately 500 employees are certified police officers recognized by the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission. The Sheriff’s Office provides services to an area covering 528 square miles, with a population of over 461,000 citizens.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to providing public safety and protection to all the citizens of Knox County. The KCSO prides itself on the quality of law enforcement as well the professionalism of the employees.
Our Service
Law Enforcement services are provided by several divisions of the Sheriff’s Office, including Patrol, Traffic, Detectives, Major Crimes, and Narcotics. Along with Aviation, Criminal and Civil Warrants and Forensic Services, we have a newly formed Technology Division, which includes the Organized Retail Crime Unit, as well as the Digital Intelligence Unit. KCSO is one of only two Sheriff’s Offices in our region with a Fire Investigations Unit. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division is responsible for the care and custody of all incarcerated individuals in Knox County, whether it originates from a city or county arrest. The KCSO operates three detention facilities: The Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility on Maloneyville Road in East Knox County, the Knox County Jail in the City County Building in downtown Knoxville, and the Work Release Center on Maloneyville Road. The Intake Center at the Detention Facility is where all inmates are processed, fingerprinted, classified, and assigned to one of the facilities.
The KCSO also has more specially trained personnel than any other agency in East Tennessee, with a Hazardous Materials Team, Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), Special Operation Response Team (SORT), Hazardous Devices Unit, Tracking Team, Marine Patrol, Sheriff’s Underwater Recovery Team (SURT), Critical Incident Negotiation Team, and K-9 Unit.
JOIN US
We Are Hiring
Are you just wanting a job, settling for a career, or are you truly looking for your calling?
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is looking for someone just like you. Someone with a true calling to serve, to protect, to make a difference both in their own life as well as the lives of those around them.
NON-MERIT Job Availability - Interested? Complete the form below!
Not interested in the above? No worries, scroll down to see more positions we offer. There’s room for everyone here!
WE ARE HIRING
Your Skills Can Fit in at KCSO
A multitude of options are available for whatever calls you. Civilians, Corrections, Law Enforcement, and even Volunteer work are all essential components of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
Civilians
Not all heroes wear badges. KCSO has plenty of opportunities for those looking to work as civilians within the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
- Medical
- Administrative Assistant
- Teleserve
- Special Services
- LEIDS
- Technology
- Crime Analysis
- Support Services
Corrections
Helping to maintain the integrity of the justice system, our Corrections Division has plenty of opportunities to those seeking to help make sure justice is served to those who broke the law.
- Correctional Officer
- Property Officer
- Transportation Officer
- Housing
- Facility Security
- Master Control
- Booking
- Classification
Law Enforcement
The KCSO Law Enforcement Division aims at ensuring our streets and communities are safe and secure.
- Patrol
- Aviation
- Court Services
- Detectives
- Forensic Services
- K9 Division
- Warrants Division
- Juvenile Crimes
Volunteers
KCSO has plenty of volunteer work if you arent quite ready to become a full time employee. Volunteer work is available in Civilian, Corrections, and Law Enforcement Divisions within the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
- Reserves
- Ministry
- Programs
- SCAN
Technology
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- Deportation Officer
- Detention and Deportation Officer
- ICE Health Service Corps
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
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- Deportation Officer
- Detention and Deportation Officer
- ICE Health Service Corps
Management and Administration (M&A)
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- Deportation Officer
- Detention and Deportation Officer
- ICE Health Service Corps
Legal
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- Deportation Officer
- Detention and Deportation Officer
- ICE Health Service Corps
Your Home, Your Calling
KNOX COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
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- Home
- About
About KCSO
We've been protecting the community since 1808
Dedicated to providing public safety and protection to all citizens of Knox County, priding ourselves on the quality of law enforcement as well the professionalism of our employees.
The men and women of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office are dedicated to enforcing the law and protecting the public. This agency has demonstrated the professionalism and expertise to help guide the community as it continues its remarkable growth.
“Cops work for a cause, not applause.” - Jarred Hinton
- Protectors
- Community Servers
- Ethical
- Professionals
- Frontline Responders
- Upholders of Justice
Our Commitment
Our Vision & Mission
The mission of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office is to make a positive difference in the lives of the citizens of this community through the provision of effective and efficient law enforcement services while adhering to the ethical values and standards of the law enforcement profession.
Vision
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office will endeavor to promote interagency and interdisciplinary sharing of information, resources, training, and research to ensure proper stewardship of the trust provided to us by the community in which we serve.
Mission
Protecting and Serving the Community
As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve the community; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the constitutional rights of all to liberty, equality, and justice.
Covering & Helping Public Justice Law
I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all and will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to me or to my agency. I will maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed both in my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the law and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.
Ensuring safety and Well-Being for Society
I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, political beliefs, aspirations, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.
Who We Are
We are committed to protecting and serving the community
I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of police service. I will never engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor will I condone such acts by other police officers. I will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and their representatives in the pursuit of justice.
I know that I alone am responsible for my own standard of professional performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve my level of knowledge and competence.
I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession… law enforcement.
KCSO Administration
Our Leadership Team
Employees of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office have leadership to guide and assist them. The KCSO command staff stand for integrity, bravery, and dedication to their fellow employees and the community they serve.
Sheriff Tom Spangler
Sheriff of Knox County
Chief Bernie Lyon
Chief Deputy
Chief Mike Ruble
Chief Legal Counsel
Chief David Amburn
Chief of Detectives
Chief Wes Norris
Chief of Warrants
Chief William Purvis
Chief of Corrections
Chief Matthew Evans
Chief of Patrol
