A job posting for a records clerk at McMinnville Police Department is causing quite a stir, says McMinnville Police Chief Bryan Denton.
More than 100 applications have already been received for the job.
“Since Sunday, when the newspaper came out and there was an opening for a police records clerk, everybody and their brother has called me about that,” Denton told city Safety Committee members Tuesday night. “To be honest, they want someone they know moved to the head of the line.”
According to Denton, some of the callers are relying on a long-standing friendship or acquaintances in an attempt to secure the job for themselves or a relative.
“I’ve been telling everyone there is a policy in place, a hiring board, and no one will be pushed to the front of the line,” Denton said. “A few have gotten rude, telling me they do not care about a policy and they will call board members to get what they want.”
The application deadline is Sept. 13. Once the deadline passes, the process to narrow down the number of applicants begins at City Hall when the human resource department removes any individual who does not meet the qualifications.
The job requires a high school diploma or equivalent, two years experience in customer service, possession of a valid Tennessee driver license, and the ability to pass a post-offer drug screen, background check and physical.
A committee, consisting of police department employees, is assigned to review the remaining applicants for those with the best qualifications. Those individuals will be invited for an interview, practical exercise, background check, etc.
The committee will make a recommendation to Denton.
“I will sit in on the interviews, but the committee will make the recommendation to me,” said Denton. “I approve it or not. If I approve, I send it to City Hall for final approval.”
Only qualifications will you get this job, says Denton.
“We hire on qualifications, a person’s training, education, work history, or if they have a special skill, like a second language. All that is rated,” said Denton. “We do that to get the best person for the job. The name is the last thing we look at.”
Depending on experience, beginning salary is between $26,500 and $28,000.
Anyone interested in the position must fill out an application and submit it to City Hall by the end of business Sept. 13.

Essential Functions of the Job:
The following duties are normal for this job. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Responsible for accurate and confidential police records
• Maintain an alphabetical reference file on incidents reported to the police
• Maintain General Sessions, Juvenile, Traffic and Grand Jury dockets for court and court case files for officers
• Issue receipts for money received and balance receipt book
• Greet and assist office visitors, answer telephone, provide information and route calls to appropriate person
• Communicate with the public and employees of other departments on matters requiring the interpretation of department policies and regulations
• Prepare detailed complex clerical reports requiring subject matter knowledge of department operations to TBI and FBI
• Validate offenses and arrests into computer daily
• Prepare and ensure confidentiality on criminal history reports