[Amended 11-10-2002; 11-2-2010]
(1)
There shall be a Police Department, the head of which
shall be the Chief of Police, who shall be a former or active police
officer, with at least 10 years' experience, at least five of which
are in a supervisory capacity, and a rank of Sergeant or above in
any organized Police Department. He/she shall be appointed by the
Town Administrator for an indefinite term and shall be subject to
removal by the Town Administrator, in accordance with provisions of
this Charter. The Chief of Police shall have received a bachelor’s
degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice,
public administration or related field.
(2)
In addition to the Chief of Police there may be a
Deputy Chief and such other 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 Town Administrator upon the recommendation of said Chief,
provided they shall have satisfactorily passed such quality 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 Town Administrator, in accordance with provisions of this Charter.
All members of the force 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
Town Administrator upon recommendation of the Chief of Police, with
or without cause.
(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 Town Administrator 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 therewith. The
Chief of Police and other members of the department shall have all
the 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 Town Administrator
and Town Council, make rules and regulations concerning the conduct
of all officers and subordinates. He/she shall assign all subordinates
to their respective posts, shifts, details and duties and shall be
responsible for their training, efficiency, discipline and good conduct.
He/she shall also be responsible for all Town property in his/her
custody. The uniforms of the members of the police force shall be
of such material and style as the Chief of Police shall designate.
In the absence or disability of the Chief of Police the Deputy Chief
of Police shall have all the powers and perform all duties of the
Chief.
