There is created the office of City Chief of Police, an executive
office of the City. The office shall be filled by appointment of the
Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council. The City Chief
of Police shall also serve as City Marshal.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
It shall be the responsibility of the Chief of Police to plan,
organize and direct the operation of the City's Police Department.
An appointee in this position shall be responsible for planning, organizing
and directing the activities of commissioned and civil employees of
the City's Police Department. The City Chief of Police shall be responsible
for the development and implementation of departmental policies relating
to law enforcement, communications, and administrative activities,
and for complete internal control over police activities and personnel.
The City Chief of Police shall receive administrative direction from
the City Administrator, the Mayor and the City Council.
[Amended 11-6-2006 by Ord. No. 2508]
A. The City Chief of Police, subject to supervision by the Mayor, the
City Administrator and the City Council, shall be responsible for
the performance of the Police Department of the City and all of its
functions and all persons who are members of the Department shall
serve subject to the orders of the Chief of Police.
B. The Chief of Police and members of the Police Department shall have
the powers of arrest and detention as set out in the Illinois Compiled
Statutes and shall bear the responsibility for enforcement of all
criminal and quasi-criminal statutes and ordinances. The Chief of
Police shall supervise the Police Department to: preserve the peace
and order of the City; protect persons and property from harm; prevent
crime and detect and apprehend persons suspected of crimes (including
felony, misdemeanor, traffic and petty offenses and ordinance violations);
regulate traffic upon public thoroughfares; secure all necessary complaints,
warrants and other documents for the enforcement of police duties;
have custody of lost or stolen property; and maintain proper records
of crimes and criminals and matters relating thereto.
C. All officers and employees employed by or assigned to the Police
Department shall be under the direct supervision and direction of
the City's Chief of Police.
D. With respect to commissioned officers of the Police Department of
the City, the Chief of Police, along with the Columbia Board of Police
Commissioners, shall be responsible for discipline, subject to the
terms of any then applicable collective bargaining agreement between
the City and the Illinois Uniform Peace Officers' Disciplinary Act
(50 ILCS 725/1 et seq.). With respect to noncommissioned employees
of the Police Department, the Chief of Police shall be responsible
for discipline up to and including discharge, subject to the terms
of any then-applicable collective bargaining agreement and City personnel
ordinances.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
E. The Chief of Police shall continuously learn and implement procedures
necessary to ensure the protection and legal rights of all persons,
including those taken into custody, while reducing risks to all persons,
including employees of the Police Department. He or she shall advise
superiors of risks and manage risks to reduce undesirable outcomes.
F. The Chief of Police shall plan, organize and direct the activities
of the commissioned officers and civilian employees of the Police
Department. He or she shall communicate and enforce compliance with
the City and departmental policies, rules, regulations and procedures
in the Police Department. The Chief of Police shall exercise general
supervision over the Police Department; formulate and enforce departmental
rules, regulations, work methods, policies and procedures and initiate
planning activities to improve departmental operations.
G. The Chief of Police shall manage or assist with the negotiations
with bargaining units representing the commissioned officers and/or
employees of the Police Department and shall work with the City Council
or its designee(s) in collective bargaining with the bargaining unit
representing the Police Department officers or employees.
H. The Chief of Police shall direct the preparation of the Police Department
budget; coordinate purchases of equipment and prepare reports on equipment,
supplies, and personnel needs; shall approve purchase orders; shall
maintain detailed expense records for the Police Department; and shall
prepare monthly and annually activity reports outlining the activities
of the Department and present the same to the City Council as the
City Council shall, from time to time, require.
I. The Chief of Police shall be responsible for scheduling shifts and
assigning Police Department personnel; participate regularly in patrol,
detective and other field operations of the Department.
J. The Chief of Police shall advertise for, interview, test and recommend
for hire all Police Department officers and employees; direct evaluation
of Police Department officers and employees; assess employment training
needs and take required action to meet Department needs.
K. The Chief of Police shall complete and assist staff to complete necessary
documentation and prepare or supervise the preparation of cases for
court presentation.
L. The Chief of Police shall design and implement vehicle maintenance
schedules.
M. The Chief of Police shall be in charge of the investigation of major
criminal cases; conduct internal investigations and make reports to
the City Administrator, the Mayor and/or the City Council regarding
the same.
N. The Chief of Police shall be in charge of the personnel files of
the Police Department and shall monitor the same and ensure compliance
with the City and departmental personnel policies.
O. For purchase of capital equipment of the Police Department, the City
Chief of Police shall develop bid specifications and work with the
City Administrator and the City Council in soliciting bids.
P. The Chief of Police shall perform such related work as shall be,
from time to time, assigned to him by the City Administrator, the
Mayor and/or the City Council.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
The Chief of Police shall have the following skills, knowledge
and abilities:
A. Comprehensive knowledge of modern law enforcement and police administration
principles, methods, and techniques; comprehensive knowledge of the
judicial system;
B. Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state laws and City ordinances;
thorough knowledge of constitutional rights;
C. Comprehensive knowledge of departmental rules, regulations and established
procedures;
D. Thorough knowledge of modern supervisory principles, practices and
techniques;
E. Good knowledge of budget process and financial controls;
F. Good knowledge of the City's geography, street system, and building
locations;
G. Ability to effectively plan, organize, direct and evaluate law enforcement,
communications and administrative activities;
H. Ability to think and act quickly with good judgment in a manner consistent
with departmental policies in emergency situations, and to provide
leadership to Department personnel;
I. Ability to deal calmly, objectively, firmly and tactfully with suspects,
witnesses, subordinate officers and personnel, City officials, and
the general public;
J. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
with representatives of other law enforcement agencies, community
organizations, City officials, subordinate personnel and the general
public;
K. Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form;
L. Proficient in the care and use of firearms;
M. Proficient in operating a police vehicle under hazardous and emergency
conditions.
Preferably, the Chief of Police shall be a graduate of an accredited
college or university with a degree in criminal justice or a related
field; he or she shall be a graduate of the police academy and shall
have such other prescribed formal or informal training as shall be
required by the City Council and by law; and shall have extensive
experience in law enforcement work.
The City Chief of Police, as an appointed executive officer
of the City, shall not be eligible for membership in any labor union
or other collective bargaining unit or organization during his or
her tenure in office as Chief of Police.