(1) 
There shall be a police department, the head of which shall be the chief of police who shall be a police officer with at least three years experience above the rank of patrolman in any organized police department or member of any other law enforcement agency. He shall be appointed by the mayor and shall be subject to removal for cause by the mayor.
(2) 
In addition to the chief of police there shall be a deputy chief of police and such subordinate officers and patrolmen, all of the aforesaid serving full time, as shall from time to time be determined by the town council. All police officers below the rank of chief of police, shall be appointed or promoted as the case may be by the mayor upon the recommendation of said chief; provided, that they shall have satisfactorily passed such qualifying tests as the town council shall have established by ordinance. They shall hold their respective offices, during good behavior, until vacated by death, resignation or retirement or until they shall be removed by the mayor, in accordance with provisions of this Charter. All members of the force, except the chief of police, shall at the time of their permanent appointment have served for a period of not less than six months in a probationary status during which period they may be removed at any time by the mayor upon recommendation of the chief of police, with or without cause. All members of the police department shall be and remain legal residents of the Town of Johnston for at least one year prior to their appointment with the exception of the chief of police who shall become and remain a resident of the town within one hundred and twenty days after his appointment.
(3) 
In addition to the members of the permanent police force, the chief of police, may from time to time appoint additional special policemen for occasional services and for limited terms who shall serve at the pleasure of the chief of police.
(4) 
The further organization of the department into divisions, or offices or grades shall be made by the town council on recommendation of the mayor after conferring with the chief of police.
(1) 
The police department shall be responsible for the preservation of the public peace, prevention of crime, apprehension of criminals, protection of the rights of persons and property, regulation of traffic, and the enforcement of the laws of the state and the ordinances of the town and rules and regulations in accordance herewith. The chief of police and other members of the department shall have all powers and duties as are now and hereafter vested in such police officers by the laws of the state and the town ordinances;
(2) 
The chief of police shall be in direct command of the police force and shall, subject to the approval of the mayor, make rules and regulations concerning the operation and management of police department and shall be responsible for all town property in his custody. In the absence or disability of the chief of police the deputy of police shall have all the powers and responsibilities and perform all of the duties of the chief.