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.