Borough of Springdale, PA Police Department

The position of Chief of Police is hereby confirmed by Council of the Borough of Springdale. The Chief of Police, pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Borough Code,[1] shall report to the Mayor, as the chief law enforcer of the Borough of Springdale, and to Council of the Borough of Springdale or such other person or committee as may be designated by ordinance or resolution of Borough Council as permitted under the Borough Code.

[1]

Editor's Note: See 8 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq.

§ 91-2 General description.

The Chief of Police is an appointed, nonunion, non-civil-service, departmental-head position, including both administrative and day-to-day working police functions, in a general shift rotation. The Chief reports to the Mayor and is responsible to Council to perform the essential duties and responsibilities as set forth herein. The Chief performs highly responsible work in the administration and supervision of the Police Department, as well as performing normal police duties. The work involves coordination, supervision and performance of all police functions and services to the community. The Chief's work is reviewed through reports, observations and/or periodic reviews by the Mayor and Council, conferences and results obtained. The Chief may exercise independence and latitude in making decisions and exercising judgment, provided that he does so in accordance with the responsibilities and duties set forth herein. This position is a salaried (nonhourly) position that may result in working in excess of 40 hours per week without provision for compensatory time.

§ 91-3 Purpose of position.

The Chief of Police shall be the chief executive of the Police Department for the Borough of Springdale, subordinate to the Mayor and shall be responsible for all operations of the Police Department.

In addition to the police powers prescribed by law, the Chief shall be responsible for all administrative functions of the Police Department and their delegation, including preparing a proposed budget and regulating the final approved budget for the Police Department, the supervision of all subordinate officers and other employees, establishing and maintaining a work schedule and ensuring that all provisions of the police contract, as well as all Borough policies and procedures, are observed.

The Chief of Police shall authorize vacation and other legitimate leave, direct and authorize all training, and direct police services in an attempt to provide the greatest protection and security for the residents of the Borough.

The Chief of Police is responsible for establishing and enforcing departmental policy, keeping all departmental employees informed and abreast of all changes, updates and/or modifications in the law and/or relevant policy, directives, etc., effecting disciplinary action when necessary and in accordance with applicable laws and Borough ordinances, policies and procedures.

§ 91-4 Essential duties and responsibilities of Chief of Police.

The duties and responsibilities of the Chief of Police for the Borough of Springdale, in addition to those set forth in §§ 91-2 and 91-3 above, which shall be deemed essential duties and responsibilities, include but are not limited to the following:

(1)

Shall be the principal administrative officer of the Police Department, under the supervision of the Mayor and responsible to Borough Council pursuant to the provisions of the Borough Code, and shall be responsible for supervising all personnel, functions and operations of the department, including the training of new hires.

(2)

This is a working Chief position, not strictly administrative, and is part of shift rotation.

(3)

The governing body and the Chief shall have full authority to enforce all laws, regulations, rules, mandates, procedures, directives, and provisions of the police collective bargaining agreement.

(4)

Maintain control over the assignments, deployment, special details, transfers, etc., of all officers in the Police Department in accordance with law, Borough ordinances, directives and/or the provisions established by the police contract and the funds budgeted by Council for the department.

(5)

Responsible for the timely execution of all applicable Borough directives, procedures and policies.

(6)

Review and supervise expenditures of appropriations to the Police Department in accordance with funds budgeted by Council, and make recommendations to the Mayor and/or Borough Manager through budget requests regarding the need for additional officers, equipment or other needs.

(7)

Prepare and submit a detailed monthly report to the Mayor and Borough Council regarding the Department's activities, and prepare such other reports as needed.

(8)

Develop, issue and maintain a comprehensive written directive system comprised of a policy and procedural manual which includes general orders, special orders, personnel orders, legal memoranda and any other order which may be approved by Council that will create an efficient and safe working environment, prevent liability to the Borough or its officials, ensure public safety, address emerging concerns and allow for an effective day-to-day operation.

(9)

Responsible for reviewing, updating and implementing the provisions of the manual on a regular basis.

(10)

Develop and present a proposed budget to Council and administer the final approved annual operating budget for the Police Department. Establish adequate controls over expenditures and the monitoring of disbursements over the course of the fiscal year. Utilize available funds in a manner that provides for the most effective police service possible in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Assist the governing body in the planning of long range capital purchases, and provide an anticipated short- and long-range capital purchase schedule during the annual budget preparation period. All costs and expenditures must be approved by the Mayor.

(11)

Responsible for the care and supervision of the Department fleet, police equipment and other Police Department property.

(12)

Responsible for all Department recordkeeping, including the maintenance, organization, storage, retrieval and utilization of departmental records, and assure that all applicable laws and directives regarding such records are properly followed consistent with Department general order.

(13)

Responsible for maintaining the integrity of the evidence room and assuring that all applicable laws and directives regarding recordkeeping and disposition of property/evidence are properly followed consistent with Department general order.

(14)

Organize, direct, control and deploy all resources of the Department in a manner which will provide for the safety and well-being of the citizenry, the preservation of the peace and harmony of the community and to enforce all applicable laws, mandates and proclamations. In addition, make every effort to create and coordinate a plan with all affected agencies that will endeavor to protect lives and property during any natural or man-made disaster.

(15)

Conduct an analysis of crime trends, emerging problem areas, actual need, etc., designed to prevent and repress crime, apprehend and prosecute offenders, allow for the safe and expedient movement of the citizenry, and provide for the public safety and the harmony of the community.

(16)

Oversee the general inspection and supervision of all public places within the community, and cause the laws and ordinances concerning such places to be obeyed.

(17)

Maintain an active, productive alliance with other local police agencies, appropriate Allegheny County agencies and institutions, professional police authorities and training facilities in an effort to improve and/or advance the administration of law enforcement and/or to provide for the safety and well-being of the community. Ensure the prompt reporting of pertinent information to all affected agencies, regardless of jurisdiction and/or geographic location.

(18)

Responsible for establishing and executing an effective and comprehensive training program for all employees. Recognize and identify special liabilities or needs and provide appropriate advanced or remedial training as necessary or desired.

(19)

Conduct regular staff meetings in an effort to apprise employees of departmental and Borough activity, policy and direction.

(20)

Shall at all times remain informed of the affairs of the Department and be assured that the duties of his/her subordinates are properly discharged. Oversee continuous staff inspection as a part of a comprehensive and relevant performance evaluation in accordance with departmental policy and procedures.

(21)

Establish acceptable standards and follow Borough policies for recruitment, selection and promotion of Department members and employees. Establish and implement procedures for recognizing outstanding performance by Department employees.

(22)

Prepare and submit monthly reports to the Borough Mayor and Borough Council regarding the Department's activities, and prepare such reports as needed.

(23)

Attend Council-approved conferences and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the field; represent the Borough Police Department in a variety of local, county, state and other meetings and/or functions.

(24)

Cooperate and maintain an appropriate and professional relationship with county, state and federal law enforcement agencies where activities of the Police Department are involved.

(25)

Must work an assigned shift, which includes patrolling, on a rotating shift.

(26)

Occasionally work with regular patrol officers during portions of their regular shifts to maintain familiarity with personnel, conditions and situations at various times of the day and to observe, assess and evaluate the officers during these shifts.

(27)

Cooperate with and maintain open lines of communication with the Borough Manager and departmental heads, employees and elected or appointed officials in their respective areas of duties and responsibilities.

(28)

Periodically attend community-service events involving education and safety, and actively attend public functions and events involving community groups and other public-relation endeavors as often as possible.

(29)

Perform all the essential functions of a police officer.

(30)

Provide to Council, through the Borough Manager, a copy of the shift schedule, as amended from time to time, as soon as it is posted or otherwise provided to subordinate officers.

(31)

Possess and maintain active MPOETC certification.

(32)

Possess and maintain valid Pennsylvania Driver's License.

(33)

Perform other work-related duties as assigned by the Mayor, Borough Council or such other person or committee as may be designated by ordinance or resolution of the Borough Council.

§ 91-5 Disclosure.

The duties, responsibilities and descriptions listed in this article are not intended to be all-inclusive of the essential duties and responsibilities of the Chief of Police nor inclusive of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position. If other work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position, it may be considered an essential duty and responsibility as well but shall be written when foreseen. This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as may, from time to time, be determined by Council for the Borough of Springdale; however, Council may enter into a Chief's agreement with the Chief of Police with additional specific, negotiated duties agreed upon by both parties.

§ 91-6 Severability.

It is hereby declared to be the intention of the Council of the Borough of Springdale that the several provisions of this article are separable. If any court of competent jurisdiction shall declare any words, sentences, sections or provisions of this article to be invalid, such a ruling shall not affect any other words, sentences, sections or provisions of this article not specifically included in such ruling.

Article II Procedure and Fee for Locked-Out Vehicles

[Adopted 8-15-2017 by Ord. No. 1248]

§ 91-7 Procedures and guidelines.

When a call comes into the Police Department for assistance to unlock a locked-out vehicle, the call will be treated as a nonpriority and an officer will be dispatched as soon as practical under the circumstances.

Any person requiring assistance to unlock a locked-out vehicle will be required to sign a release and acknowledgement, acknowledging that there is no guarantee that the Police Department will be able to open the vehicle and that attempting to unlock the vehicle could result in damage to the vehicle and further releasing the Borough of Springdale, its elected and appointed officials, Police Department and officers from any damage that may occur as a result of the attempt of the Police Department to unlock the vehicle, and that the person requesting assistance agrees to save, defend, indemnify and hold the Borough, its elected and appointed officials, Police Department and officers harmless from any liability.

§ 91-8 Fee.

A fee of $20 shall be charged and paid on each request for assistance prior to any assistance being provided.

§ 91-9 Severability.

If any sentence, clause, section, or part of this article is for any reason found to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid, such unconstitutionality, illegality or invalidity shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions, sentences, clauses, sections or parts of this article. It is hereby declared as the intent of the Council of the Borough of Springdale that this article would have been adopted had such unconstitutional, illegal or invalid sentence, clause, section or part thereof not been included herein.