Summary
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The City of Tuscaloosa will hold a Tuscaloosa Police Department Cadet Program Open House from 5:00pm \- 7:00pm on Monday, April 6, 2026 at the Tuscaloosa River Market.
The Police Cadet Program with the City of Tuscaloosa is an entry\-level, non\-sworn position designed for young adults interested in a career in law enforcement. The program is designed to introduce young adults to a career in law enforcement through structured training, mentorship, and practical hands\-on experience under the supervision of sworn police officers. Cadets perform non\-hazardous/non\-enforcement support duties while learning about the operations of the Tuscaloosa Police Department and preparing for potential future roles as sworn officers. A physical ability exam will be required as part of the application process. The physical ability exam will consist of:* 5 pushups in 1 minute
* 5 sit ups in 1 minute
* 1 mile run in 15 minutes
Essential Functions
The following duties are normal for this classification. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. Specific duties listed may not be required for all positions within this classification but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.
Assist with administrative tasks such as filing, data entry, and report processing.
Support sworn officers at community events, traffic control, and public safety initiatives.
Participate in educational sessions on Alabama law, department procedures, and ethics
Learns and studies departmental policies and procedures within an assigned unit of the department; becomes familiar with different officer assignments in the Police Department.
Observe patrol operations through supervised ride\-along (non\-enforcement role).
Maintains current department policy and procedures manual, city and state code manuals, employee handbooks, various maps, and related material for reference and/or review.
Maintain police vehicles and assist with equipment inventory, follows safety procedures, requests service and/or repairs, ensures cleanliness and optimal operation of equipment.
Organizes and prioritizes daily work assignments; attends shift meetings.
Completes/prepares forms, logs, requests, records, reports, correspondence, and documents associated with daily responsibilities of this position; researches and locates records; maintains administrative records and files.
Serve as a liaison between the department and local schools, youth programs, and civic groups.
Promote the department’s mission of integrity, service, and community partnership.
Incorporates continuous quality improvement principles in daily activities.
Maintains good interpersonal relationships with staff, co\-workers, managers, and citizens.
Meets regular attendance requirements.
May be required to be on call and/or regularly work on various shifts, weekends, and/or holidays as deemed necessary.
Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.
Performs other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma from an accredited institution recognized by APOST or GED required; no previous experience required. Must possess a valid driver's license. Must be eighteen (18\) to twenty\-one (21\) years of age. Must be a U.S. Citizen. This job classification is considered to be safety\-sensitive and is subject to pre\-employment and random drug screens.
Minimum Requirements to Perform Essential Job Functions
The following requirements are normal for this classification. Specific requirements may not apply to all positions within this classification but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to operate a variety of automated office equipment including computer, printer, typewriter, calculator, copy and facsimile machines, telephone, and law enforcement equipment such as handcuffs, flashlight, pepper gas, firearms, baton, tape measure, hand tools, two\-way radio, and motor vehicle. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for very heavy work. DATA COMPREHENSION: Requires the ability to compare and or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things that may include maps, various directories and reports, calendar, training bulletins, manuals, and legal code books. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to speak with and/or signal people to convey or exchange law enforcement, radio communication, medical, and court related information, including giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from co\-workers, assistants, managers, or supervisors as well as communicating with court personnel, attorneys, various agencies, elected officials, and the general public. LANGUAGE ABILITY: Requires ability to read a variety of informational and law enforcement, radio communication, medical, and court related documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to write job related documentation and reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well\-modulated voice. INTELLIGENCE: Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex law enforcement, radio communication, medical, court related principles and techniques, to understand departmental policies and procedures, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow verbal and written instructions. NUMERICAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, calculate decimals and percentages, determine time, weight, and distance measurements, and interpret statistical data. May be required to perform algebraic calculations and utilize basic geometry. FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape using job related equipment which may include detection devices, radar, tape measure, and other standard measuring and recording devices. MOTOR COORDINATION: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using automated office equipment, radio communication, and law enforcement equipment and to operate motor vehicles. MANUAL DEXTERITY: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment including computer, printer, typewriter, calculator, copy and facsimile machines, telephone, and law enforcement equipment such as handcuffs, flashlight, pepper gas, firearms, baton, tape measure, hand tools, two\-way radio, motor vehicle, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting motion or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have above average levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. COLOR DIFFERENTIATION: Requires the ability to discern color. INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT: Requires the ability to deal with and relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be able to adapt to and perform under considerable stress when confronted with an emergency. PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to talk, express, or exchange ideas by means of spoken words and/or hear and perceive nature of sounds by ear.
The City of Tuscaloosa offers a comprehensive benefits package to full\-time permanent employees that includes retirement, vacation and illness leave, paid holidays, medical and dental insurance, flexible spending account, life insurance, and other supplemental insurances and deferred retirement saving plans.
For a more detailed overview of our benefits package, please visit the Employee Benefits Summary within our website or contact the Human Resource Department at (205\) 248\-5230\.