Subdivision I. In General
[Code 1991, § 2-241]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
CHIEF OF POLICE and CHIEF
The ranking officer and head of the Police Department of the City.
[Code 1991, § 2-242; Ord. No. 12-26, 10-9-2012]
No police officer or other employee of the Police Department shall engage in any off-duty employment which may involve the use of police powers in the performance of his job, except in accordance with such rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the Police Department. No deputy sheriff shall engage in any off-duty employment which may involve the use of police powers in the performance of his job, except in accordance with such rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the sheriff.
[Code 1991, § 2-243]
It shall be the responsibility of the Chief of Police to designate a police officer to attend every meeting of the City Council. Such officer shall remain at the meeting until dismissed by the Mayor or other presiding officer.
[Code 1991, § 2-244]
A. 
The auxiliary police force shall be organized and shall operate under the supervision of the Chief of Police.
B. 
The auxiliary police force shall be governed by such rules and regulations as the Chief of Police may promulgate.
C. 
The Chief of Police shall have the same power and authority over the members of the auxiliary police when they are on duty or in uniform as he has over the regular police force.
D. 
The members of the auxiliary police force when on duty or in uniform shall have the same powers and authority and immunities of full-time law enforcement officers if each auxiliary police officer has met the training requirements of Code of Virginia, § 15.2-1731.
[Ord. No. 07-48, 11-27-2007]
It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police to properly dispose of all monies, goods, wares and merchandise remaining unclaimed, for a minimum of 60 days, in the custody of the Department of Police, in accord with the provisions of this division.
[Ord. No. 07-48, 11-27-2007]
Prior to the disposal of any property under this division, the Chief of Police shall give notice, by advertisement once a week for two successive weeks in some newspaper of general circulation in the City, to all persons interested in or claiming such property that, unless claimed by the owner with satisfactory proof of such ownership, before a specified day, the same will be sold, at a place in such notice specified, at public sale, or otherwise appropriately disposed of.
[Ord. No. 07-48, 11-27-2007]
On the day and at the place specified in the notice referred to in § 2-266, all property remaining unclaimed, and not otherwise appropriately disposed of, except money, shall be sold by the Chief of Police or under his direction.
[Ord. No. 07-48, 11-27-2007]
Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, if any goods, wares, merchandise or chattels, which are of a perishable nature or which are expensive to keep, shall at any time remain unclaimed in the custody of the Department of Police, it shall be lawful for the Chief of Police to sell the same at public sale, at such time and after such notice as to him shall seem proper.
[Ord. No. 07-48, 11-27-2007]
Immediately after the sale of any property under this division, the Chief of Police shall pay to the City Treasurer the proceeds of such sale, after deducting the expense of the sale.
[Ord. No. 07-48, 11-27-2007]
Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, all alcoholic beverages in the custody of the Department of Police shall be either destroyed or delivered to the state alcoholic beverage control board.
[Ord. No. 07-48, 11-27-2007]
Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, the Chief of Police may, as he deems proper, confiscate for City use any property which is utilizable and which remains unclaimed in the custody of the Department of Police on the day specified in the notice published in accord with § 2-266.
[Ord. No. 07-48, 11-27-2007]
Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, the Chief of Police may, upon court order, destroy all narcotics in the custody of the Department of Police.
[Ord. No. 07-48, 11-27-2007]
Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, any unclaimed firearms and other weapons which have been in the possession of the police for a period of more than 60 days may be destroyed. For the purposes of this section, "unclaimed firearms and other weapons" shall be defined the same as "unclaimed personal property." At the discretion of the Chief of Police or his duly authorized agent, unclaimed firearms and other weapons may be destroyed by any means which render the firearm and other weapons permanently inoperable. Prior to the destruction of such firearms and other weapons, the Chief of Police or his duly authorized agent shall comply with the notice provisions of § 2-266. The Chief of Police or his duly authorized agent, in their discretion, may confiscate unclaimed firearms and other weapons or may exchange said property for more suitable police weapons or supplies for use by the Department of Police, whichever the Chief of Police may deem proper.
[Ord. No. 07-48, 11-27-2007]
Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, if any goods, wares, merchandise, clothing or chattels are found to be worthless and at any time remain unclaimed in the custody of the Department of Police, the Chief of Police may dispose of such items in any manner which to him may seem proper. The Chief of Police shall recycle worthless property when feasible.
[Ord. No. 07-48, 11-27-2007]
All money remaining unclaimed in the custody of the Department of Police on the day specified in the notice published in accord with § 2-266 shall be paid to the City Treasurer by the Chief of Police.
Subdivision II. Chief of Police
[Code 1991, § 2-261]
A. 
The Chief of Police shall be a conservator of the peace, with all the power and authority in criminal matters of a constable and a police officer. He shall be appointed by the City Manager and shall serve at the pleasure of the City Manager. He shall be under the direct control of the City Manager, to whom he shall report.
B. 
The Chief of Police shall be the chief law enforcement officer of the City.
C. 
The Chief of Police shall have all such additional powers and authority which may be necessary for the proper conduct and control of the Police Department.
[Code 1991, § 2-262]
Subject to the control of the City Manager, the Chief of Police shall have authority over the Police Department of the City, and he shall have custody of all records, equipment and property of the Police Department.
[Code 1991, § 2-263]
A. 
The Chief of Police, with the approval of the City Manager, shall have the power and authority to make and establish rules and regulations governing the duties of police officers and animal control officers and of the Police Department of the City, and for the appointment, discharge and removal of any police officer or animal control officer.
B. 
The Chief of Police, within the limits of such rules and regulations, shall determine the duties of all police officers and animal control officers, their hours of service (not to exceed 12 hours per day, except in case of an emergency), their territory to patrol and the manner of patrolling such territory, their training, and all other matters relative to their duties and the performance thereof.
[Code 1991, § 2-264]
For the violation by a police officer or animal control officer of any law or any rule or regulation of the Police Department, disobedience of orders, misconduct on duty, neglect of duty, disrespect of authority or conduct unbecoming such police officer or animal control officer, the Chief of Police may suspend by written order any such person without pay for a period not to exceed 30 days.