The existing Police Department is hereby recognized and/or established
in and for the Township of Mahoning. The Chief of Police shall be the Chief
Executive of the Police Department. He shall, under the direction of the Board
of Supervisors, be in charge of the police force and have supervision over
its members in the exercise of their powers, duties and authority.
[Amended 10-13-1980; 8-27-1990; 11-21-2005]
Subordinate to the Chief of Police in the Police Department, except
when there is a vacancy in the Office of Chief of Police, shall be the following
classifications of officers: Sergeant, Corporal and Patrolman. The chain of
command among these subordinate classifications shall be in the order listed
in the previous sentence except when there is a vacancy in the Office of Chief
of Police.
A. The number of persons to serve in each such subordinate classification
shall be determined by the Board of Supervisors from time to time in its sole
discretion.
B. Whenever the Board of Supervisors declares the position of Chief
of Police to be vacant due to death, retirement, resignation or for any other
reason, the Board of Supervisors shall in its complete discretion, appoint
an individual who is a member of the current Police Department to be Officer-in-Charge
until the position of Chief of Police has been filled and a new Chief of Police
has assumed that position. The Officer-in-Charge shall assume the duties and
responsibilities of the Chief of Police until the position is permanently
filled by the Board of Supervisors and the Chief of Police has assumed the
duties and responsibilities of the Chief of Police. The Officer-in-Charge
shall have the responsibilities as set forth in 1.4.1 A. relating to command
protocol and procedures. (The Chief of Police is the chief executive officer of the Township
of Mahoning Police Department and is responsible for the protection of lives
and property in the Township of Mahoning through the supervision of all police
functions. The Chief is responsible for organizing, controlling and directing
the personnel and resources of the Police Department.). The Officer-in-Charge
shall become the highest ranking officer within the Police Department relating
to chain of command protocol. Once the vacancy in the position of Chief of
Police has been filled and the Chief of Police has assumed responsibilities
as Chief of Police, the Officer-in-Charge shall return to his or her previous
position for purposes of command protocol and procedures.
Nothing herein contained shall affect the authority of the Board of
Supervisors to appoint special policemen.