[Ref. of 11-5-2002; Ref. of 11-2-2010]
A. 
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 five (5) years experience above the rank of patrol person in any agency. Effective January 1, 2007, any new appointee for Police Chief shall have the minimum of a bachelor's degree. He or she shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Town Council to serve a term concurrent with the term of the Mayor and until his or her reappointment or the appointment of a successor is approved by the Town Council or in accordance with a written employment agreement as set forth in Sec. 1201(B) of the Town Charter.
[Amended 11-6-2018]
B. 
At the time of the appointment of the Police Chief or at any time thereafter, the Mayor and the Town Council shall have the authority to enter into a written employment agreement with the Police Chief not to exceed three (3) years in duration with the possibility of an additional three (3) year extension. The agreement shall be executed by the Mayor and President of the Town Council after a vote of approval by a majority of the Town Council.
C. 
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, or through any collective bargaining agreement. They shall hold their respective offices, during good behavior, until vacated by death, resignation or retirement or until they shall be removed in accordance with provisions of this Charter unless in conflict with any collective bargaining agreement, or other applicable laws. All members of the force, except the Chief of Police, shall at the time of their permanent appointment have served for a period of one (1) year 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.
D. 
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.
E. 
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.
A. 
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 that are vested in such police officers by the laws of the State and the Town ordinances.
B. 
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 the Police Department and shall be responsible for all Town property in his or her custody. In the absence or disability of the Chief of Police, the Deputy Chief of Police shall have all the powers and responsibilities and perform all of the duties of the Chief.
[Ref. of 11-5-2002; amended 11-6-2018]
A. 
There shall be an Animal Control Department, which shall be a division within the Town of Cumberland Police Department. There shall be an Animal Control Officer and any assistant(s) who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Town Council to serve a term concurrent with the term of the Mayor and until his or her reappointment or the appointment of a successor is approved by the Town Council.