[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Shamokin 12-24-1969 by Ord. No. 190 (Ch. 83 of the 1967 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
All subordinate police officers will take orders or assignments
from their superior officers and at no time will attempt to alter
any regulations, assignments or orders. They shall obey such lawful
orders and assignments with a showing of respect for superior officers.
Exceptions to this regulation may be in case of emergency when an
officer may change or alter his actions in the best interest of the
public.
The officer or desk clerk on duty at City Hall at the exact
hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. will take down and raise the flag
of our country (foul weather excepted) flying on the pole in front
of the City Hall Building and on the pole located on the park lot
at Market and Independence Streets. The flag will be raised at 6:00
a.m. and lowered at 6:00 p.m., also at other locations where the City
has the flag displayed.
A. There shall be no sleeping on duty.
B. There shall be no drinking of intoxicants while on duty in uniform
or in plain clothes.
C. There shall be no smoking while on traffic duty or while in the presence
of large groups of people. A more remote location is desirable.
No case of arrest shall be released to any Alderman without
consent and approval of superior officers. The Mayor and Chief of
Police will assign cases to various aldermen.
Any police officer called to testify in the county courts in
any case or cases, whereby such absence might interfere with his duties,
shall consult the Chief of Police relative to reassignment of working
schedule.
A. Any immoral act committed by a police officer, on or off duty, which
would bring dishonor or discredit to the City of Shamokin shall be
cause for immediate dismissal by the Mayor and/or City Council.
B. The demeanor of individual policemen must at all times be unblemished.
It is difficult to correct some other person for an infraction of
the law if such officer's mode of living is not up to standard.
Police officers will be alert at all times and shall cause the
arrest of any or all persons for infractions of the traffic or criminal
laws; any reasonable doubt shall be given to the public. The officer
is expected to be courteous and respectful in the execution of such
procedures. The officer is protected by civil service regulations,
and when in his judgment an infraction of the law has occurred, the
arrest should be made regardless of who the person involved may be.
A. No individual employed as a police officer shall be employed in any
other capacity whereby such employment might interfere with respective
police duties. Emergency employment as an officer pertaining to protective
measures is exempted, provided that such protective police duties
do not interfere with respective police duties. No police officer
will be allowed to act in the capacity of a special officer at sporting
events if the hours of duty as a special officer conflict with his
hours of duty as a regular police office employed by the City.
B. No policeman and/or officer of the police force shall have other
jobs known as "moonlighting" unless he can have eight hours'
rest before he begins his tour of duty on the police force. Any policeman
and/or officer who is doing other work, who misses a shift as a police
officer on the day he has worked the extra job, will not be compensated
for the time missed as a police officer.
City-owned vehicles operated by individual police officers will
be the responsibility of vehicle operators. In the event of accident
or damages to such equipment, a written report shall be made and submitted
to the Chief of Police. The operator of such vehicle during daylight
hours shall ascertain proper air pressure for tires, gasoline supply,
oil supply and other equipment, such as lights, siren, radio and other
police equipment, as to working order. He shall also see to it that
cruisers other than the one he is using are checked as above mentioned.
Any repair found necessary will be accomplished by City mechanics,
if minor, or local garage, if major, with the same priority as that
given to the fire equipment. A report of such repair will be submitted
to the Chief of Police and the Mayor. Also, a daily report as to mileage
covered and vehicle use will be submitted on forms that will be provided
by the Department.
Each individual police officer will make out his own reports
applicable to arrests, accidents, traffic and criminal. Officers will
make a report daily of happenings on his beat, either motor or foot
patrol. Forms will be provided by the Department for this purpose.
These reports need not be lengthy, but shall be authentic and of a
true nature.
Any police officer assigned to special detail or special investigation
work shall make a daily report written of such investigation to the
Chief of Police and Mayor. Such report shall include complete information
concerning all persons under investigation. Any police officer assigned
to special duty or special investigation by the Mayor shall be reported
by the Mayor to the Chief of Police so that rearrangement of his working
schedule can be accomplished. Reports of such investigation shall
be filed in City Hall for inspection by the City Council whenever
the City Council so directs that such reports be submitted to that
body.
[Amended 10-19-1970; 1-4-1971; 1-1-1974]
A. All policemen shall work a forty-hour work week. This work week shall
consist of three shifts of 8 1/2 hours each. To the best of the
ability of the Police Chief and Mayor, these shifts shall be worked
on a rotation basis. Policemen shall report 15 minutes before scheduled
starting time and leave 15 minutes after scheduled quitting time.
Off time for meals is 1/2 hour and will be included within this period
of 8 1/2 hours.
B. All working schedules shall have the approval of the Mayor.
C. During special events or in an emergency, special shifts may be adopted
by the Mayor.
D. In any case where a policeman works more than 40 hours' regular
police duty in any one week, compensation shall be paid at 1 1/2
times his regular rate. This compensation shall be made in the closest
pay period to the time worked.
E. Compensation shall be made in either pay or time off for time spent
at hearings and in court during a policeman's off-duty time.
One hour shall be granted for each hearing attended. When in court,
1/2 day or four hours shall be granted if the case is finished during
the morning session, and one full day or eight hours if finished during
the afternoon session. This compensation shall be made within 30 days.
F. A posted list shall be maintained at all times for the listing of
hearings and court time, as well as any other time to which a member
of the police force shall be entitled. Also kept on this list shall
be the date and the time when each member uses said time. This list
shall be maintained in a manner so that each member can observe said
list. Said list shall also contain the information with respect to
the holidays that each man uses.
G. All policemen shall perform only police and City duties during working
hours. Police duties shall have priority over City duties, and all
police duties shall be assigned through City Hall channels.
H. Any violation of any part of this agreement by any policeman shall
result in a suspension to be handed out by the Mayor, who shall designate
the length of said suspension.
I. Any suspension given out by the Mayor to a police officer shall be
according to the Third Class City Code. If suspension given by the Mayor shall exceed five days,
the suspended officer may submit a written request to have a hearing
before the Mayor and City Council.
J. It is recognized by the parties to this agreement that certain rules
and regulations are established for the Police Department of the City
of Shamokin by ordinance. Where provisions of such ordinance conflict
with either party's obligations under this agreement, the agreement
provision shall prevail.
K. The pay period shall be every other Wednesday.
L. All overtime shall be equally shared by all policemen; provided,
however, that if any policeman shall decline to work overtime when
it is his turn to do so, he shall forfeit that turn, but shall have
the opportunity to work when his turn is again reached. The turn of
each policeman shall be set forth in a roster of overtime work prepared
and maintained by the Chief of Police and conspicuously posted in
City Hall for inspection. Overtime hours need not be evenly distributed
among the policemen, but said overtime hours shall be distributed
as equally as possible to the best of the ability of the Chief of
Police.
[Amended 10-19-1970; 1-4-1971; 1-1-1974]
A. Paid vacation time.
(1) Paid vacations shall be granted as follows:
(a)
Six months to one year of service: one week.
(b)
Over one year to four years of service: two weeks.
(c)
Over five years to 19 years of service: three weeks.
(d)
Twenty years and over: four weeks.
(2) Vacation time must be taken and will be posted on a seniority basis.
On the first round, each man will post two weeks. When each man has
posted two weeks, those eligible will post one week. On the next round,
those eligible will post their last week. If a man is denied his posted
vacation time by reason of emergency needs, he should be given equivalent
substitute time. A vacation week is defined as five workdays plus
two normal nonduty days. Only two men will be allowed vacation during
one week. All vacation schedules shall be subject to the approval
of the Mayor and the Chief of Police.
B. Holidays.
(1) All policemen shall receive compensation in pay or time off for nine
holidays per year. These holidays shall be as follows:
New Year's Day
|
Good Friday
|
Easter
|
Memorial Day
|
Independence Day
|
Labor Day
|
Veterans Day
|
Thanksgiving Day
|
Christmas Day
|
(2) In the event any policeman works on any of these holidays, he shall
be compensated 1 1/2 times his regular rate of pay for all hours
worked on said holiday. Any holiday time not used during the year
will be compensated for in pay on the final day of the year.
[Amended 10-19-70; 1-1-74]
A. Each policeman shall receive 15 days for sick leave each year. All
days not used by the end of any year shall be accumulated until such
time as he has accumulated 75 days. Upon retirement from the police
force, each policeman shall receive compensation at the rate of $5
per day for each day of unused accumulated sick pay.
B. Any police officer who abuses this privilege shall be called before
the Mayor and shall be subject to suspension for a period of up to
five days.
C. A sick leave accounting shall be issued to each policeman at the
end of each year, showing how many sick days he has used and how many
sick days he has accumulated.
[Added 1-1-1974]
In the event of the death of any member of a policeman's
immediate family, he shall be entitled to three workdays off with
pay at his regular rate of pay. Immediate family shall consist of
mother, father, wife, children, brother or sister.
No police officer shall change shifts or working schedules without
the approval of the Chief of Police and Mayor.
Police radio cars shall report out of service only as per scheduled
lunch period (1/2 hour), for an emergency in performance of duties
or when, in the opinion of the operator, it is in the interest of
the public. The operator shall report by radio to the station at City
Hall of his actions. A log of all calls shall be kept by the officer
or Clerk on duty at that time.
No publicity shall be released to the press or radio pertaining
to police matters unless authorized by the Mayor or Chief of Police.
All radio operators in both the station and cars shall try to
standardize their speech, such as: Cars shall always use their number
when calling the station, and if they wish to continue conversation
they shall use the term "over," and when they wish to break off conversation
they shall do so by the phrase "Car number. . . . . . . ., over and
out." The station operator shall call cars by number only, and if
wishing to continue conversation shall use the word "over," and if
wishing to close conversation shall use the term "over and out." Radio
cars shall report by radio to the station every hour, giving car number
and location. All patrolmen and other members of the police force
shall report locations every 1/2 hour from the cruiser or a call box.
Any incidents or happenings which will tend to increase the efficiency
of the police force shall also be reported at any time.
[Amended 10-19-70; 1-1-74]
A. All police officers during their tour of duty shall be neat in appearance.
Officers shall report for duty 15 minutes before starting time in
order that instructions, information and inspection may be accomplished.
Uniforms are expected to be neat in appearance. The senior officer
making the inspection shall have authority to dismiss an officer until
such time as corrections are made. Inspections may also be made any
time during a tour of duty.
B. Either a summer or winter uniform will be provided each year. Uniform
selections shall be subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council.
Winter uniforms will be provided for the odd years and shall be ordered
not later than July 1 of that year. Summer uniforms will be provided
for the even years and shall be ordered not later than February 1
of that year. The uniform allowance shall include two trousers, four
shirts and one hat. Any nonuniformed officer shall receive a clothing
allowance equal to the cost of outfitting one policeman. One pair
of shoes shall be provided each year.
C. Any damage to uniforms made while on City duty shall be repaired
or replaced at the City's expense. Such damage must be reported
to the senior officer on duty and entered on the duty sheet before
going off duty.
D. The wearing of uniforms or shoes during off-duty hours without permission
shall subject the policeman to a suspension as determined by the Mayor.
It shall be the duty of all police officers to search prisoners
thoroughly before confining them to cells. The desk officer shall
see to it that all state officers and constables follow the same procedure
before confining any prisoner to the cell block, and that state officers,
constables and police officers, other than those employed by the City
of Shamokin, fill out a form that will be provided in order that the
prisoner's home address, nature of arrest and probable disposition
are listed for information of the Police Department of the City of
Shamokin.
Police officers shall pass on information to fellow officers
which would be of value in the performance of their respective duties.
It is forbidden to withhold information pertaining to police business
that would hinder the Police Department or any fellow officer in the
making of an arrest. Any infraction shall be liability for dismissal.
Conduct unbecoming an officer shall be dealt with accordingly
by the Chief of Police, Lieutenant, Mayor and/or City Council.
Policemen shall obey the orders of the Mayor and make reports
to him, which reports shall be read by him before the Council whenever
required. The Mayor shall exercise constant supervision and control
over their conduct.
Beat boundaries shall be determined by the Chief, Lieutenant
or Mayor. In the event of emergency situations, the Safety Director
or a City Councilman may make necessary changes in the best interest
of the public.
The desk position will be run on the following twenty-four-hour
schedule:
B. 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight.
C. 12:00 midnight to 8:00 a.m.
The cruiser will run on the following twenty-four-hour schedule:
B. 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight.
C. 12:00 midnight to 8:00 a.m.
Officers with beats bordering on Independence Street, and one
cruiser will police the Business District on the evenings that stores
remain open until 9:00 p.m. These officers will then resume their
regular duties or assignment made by the officer in charge.
When business establishments are open until the hour of 9:00
p.m., officers on foot patrol will be responsible for traffic regulations
at Anthracite, Cleaver and Ninth Streets, or other assigned intersections,
until the hour of 9:00 p.m., after which they will resume their respective
beats, or as assigned.
During daylight tour of duty, the cruiser officers shall make
a close check of motor violations, and in particular double parking
in meter zones, parking on yellow lines and in no-parking zones; stop
signs and red lights, speeding and reckless operation of motor cars
and all types of trucks, also covering and top loads of trucks in
violation of City ordinances.
A. Desk duty will be handled by the Chief of Police, Police Lieutenant,
Police Sergeant or any patrolman assigned by the Mayor when desk clerks
are not available.
B. The police desk shall be manned by a person appointed by the Mayor
to serve as desk clerk.
Article XLIV, Section 4408 (Third Class City Law).
"All employees subject to Civil Service shall be subject to
suspension by the Direction of any Department for misconduct, or violation
of any law of this Commonwealth, and ordinance of the City or regulations
of the Department pending action of the City Council upon the charges
made against any of such persons. On hearing before City Council,
they may be fined or suspended for a period not exceeding 30 days,
with or without pay. This includes the Federal 'Hatch Act.'
"They may be discharged by City Council if found guilty of the
charges made against them. The Director of each such department may
for misconduct or violation, as aforesaid, suspend any employee of
such Department for a period of five days, with or without pay, without
preferring charges and without a hearing by Council; provided, however,
that if it should become necessary to reduce the number of men in
said Department for economy, seniority rights shall prevail, and any
and all removals for such cause or causes shall be from members last
appointed, and the member or members serving the shortest time shall
be removed first; but members with longer times of service may be
discharged for cause.
"Any policeman aggrieved by the action of Council in fining,
suspending or discharging him shall have the right to appeal by petition
within 30 days after receipt of a written notice of such action, of
which it shall be the duty of Council to give to the Court of Common
Pleas of the county, which Court shall hear the charges against the
policeman so named. The issue before the Court shall be whether the
action of the Council shall be affirmed or modified in any respect,
or whether the charges should be dismissed. Where any policeman has
been suspended by action of Council and the charges dismissed on appeal,
the policeman shall receive full compensation for the entire time
of suspension."
Policemen shall be given the benefit of day duty in an equitable
manner consistent with the needs of the City for police service during
the day and night.
No police officer or patrolman shall accept or receive directly
or indirectly from the Fraternal Order of Police any money or thing
of value in lieu of the loss of wages imposed by reason of suspension
without pay of any officer or patrolman of the City of Shamokin by
the Mayor or Council of said City.
Policemen and/or officers of the police force who wish to report
off their regularly scheduled duty because of sickness or other legitimate
reasons shall give four hours of previous notice before their scheduled
starting time. Notice shall give the reason for absence from the regularly
scheduled tour of duty. In case of sickness, a doctor's certificate
must be furnished; and, in case of emergency, the reason must be given
and the same passed on by the Mayor or Chief of Police.
[Amended 8-27-1979 by Ord. No. 263]
Any patrolman and/or officer of the Police Department having
been duly elected Second Assistant Fire Chief, First Assistant Fire
Chief or Fire Chief will agree, in writing, to fulfill his duties
and responsibilities as a patrolman and/or officer of the Police Department
should an alarm of fire or other emergency requiring the services
of the Fire Bureau be sounded. He may, however, be relieved from his
duties and responsibilities as a patrolman and/or officer of the Police
Department during the fire or other emergency by the Chief of Police
or the Director of Public Safety.
Whenever a police training and/or school training program has
been scheduled by the Mayor and City Council, all police officers
shall attend such training program or school at the designated time.
This includes physical fitness, marksmanship or other programs intended
to increase the efficiency of the police force. Special provisions
for the alteration of schedules of policemen on duty during scheduled
training programs may be made by directive from the Chief, Mayor and
Council.
[Added 10-19-1970; amended 1-1-1974]
The City shall institute a Blue Cross and Blue Shield major
medical plan for policemen and their dependents on a noncontributory
basis. The City, at its own cost, shall also provide a minimum life
insurance policy of $2,000 on the life of all policemen.
[Added 10-19-1970; amended 1-4-1971; 1-1-1974]
A. Wages.
(1) Wages, effective January 1, 1974, shall be as follows:
Position
|
Salary
|
---|
Chief of Police
|
$9,100
|
Lieutenant of Police
|
$8,100
|
Sergeant of Police
|
$7,800
|
Patrolman
|
$7,500
|
Probationary patrolman
|
$6,700
|
(2) After six months of service, a probationary patrolman shall receive
the full wage of a patrolman.
B. Beginning January 1, 1975, each policeman shall receive a salary
increase of 5.6% or the equivalent to the rise in the national consumer
price index of the United States Department of Labor, whichever is
greater.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent herewith
be and the same are hereby repealed.
[Added 1-1-1974]
The parties agree not to discriminate against any policeman
on the basis of race, creed, sex, religion or political affiliation
or for any grievance he may initiate against the City.
[Added 1-1-1974]
Any grievance arising between the City of Shamokin and the Shamokin
police force or between the City and an officer shall be taken up
in accordance with the following procedure:
A. No later than seven calendar days following the event causing the
grievance, the police representative or the grievant shall take the
matter up with the Chief of Police.
B. In the event that the matter is not settled by the Chief of Police
within seven calendar days, the grievance shall be presented, in writing,
to the Mayor. The Mayor shall render his decision, in writing, within
seven calendar days after submission of the grievance.
C. In the event that the decision of the Mayor is unsatisfactory to
the police representative or the grievant, the grievance may be submitted
to the American Arbitration Association. The award of the arbitrator
shall be final and binding. The costs of arbitration shall be borne
equally by the parties.