There is hereby created the Office of the Director of Public Safety whose duties shall be performed by the Town Administrator, or a person appointed by him.
[Amended 11-6-2018]
(1)
Organization: Within the Office of Public Safety 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 three years' experience above the rank of patrolman in any organized Police Department or any other law enforcement agency providing equivalent experience with preference given to a qualified elector of the Town. He shall be appointed by the Town Administrator for an indefinite term and shall be subject to removal by the Town Administrator, in accordance with provisions of this Charter.
All police officers below the rank of Chief of Police, shall be appointed or promoted as the case may be by the Town Administrator upon the recommendation of said chief, provided they shall have satisfactorily passed such qualifying tests as the Town Council shall have established by ordinance. They shall hold their respective offices, during good behavior, until vacated by death, resignation or retirement or until they shall be removed by the Town Administrator, in accordance with provisions of this Charter. Before their permanent appointment, all members of the police force shall have served for a period of not less than one year in a probationary status during which period they may be removed at any time by the Town Administrator upon recommendation of the Chief of Police, with or without cause.
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.
The further organization of the Department into divisions or offices or grades shall be made by the Town Council on recommendation of the Town Administrator after conferring with the Chief of Police.
(2)
Powers and duties: 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 therewith. The Chief of Police and other members of the Department shall have all the powers and duties as are now and hereafter vested in such police officers by the laws of the state and the Town ordinances.
The Chief of Police shall be in direct command of the police force and shall, subject to the approval of the Town Administrator and Town Council, make rules and regulations concerning the conduct of all officers and subordinates. He shall assign all subordinates to their respective posts, shifts, details and duties and shall be responsible for their training, efficiency, discipline and good conduct. He shall also be responsible for all Town property in his custody. The uniforms of the members of the police force shall be of such material and style as the Chief of Police shall designate. In the absence or disability of the Chief of Police the next highest ranking officer shall have all the powers and perform all duties of the chief.
[Amended 11-2-2010]
(1)
Authorization: Also within the Office of Public Safety there may be created a Fire Department by action of the Town Council.
(2)
Chief: The Chief of this Fire Department shall have training and experience in the service sufficient to qualify him for the responsibilities of such office and shall be appointed by the Town Administrator for an indefinite term and shall be subject to removal in accordance with the provisions of this Charter.
[Amended 11-4-1975; amended 11-2-2010; amended 11-6-2018]
This Division shall be headed by a full-time Chief Inspector who shall be appointed by the Town Administrator (in accordance with Title 23, General Laws of Rhode Island, 1956, as amended) and shall have, but not necessarily be limited to the following duties:
• | Issue all building, electrical, plumbing, drainage, oil burner and other like permits in accordance with existing or future ordinances passed by the Town Council. |
• | Post certificates of occupancy on new or remodeled structures. |
• | Maintain a record of all business transacted by the Division. |
• | Have charge of enforcement and power to institute legal proceedings both civil and criminal, on behalf of the Town for violation of zoning ordinances and building codes.[1] |
• | Perform the duties and responsibilities of fence viewer, the Zoning Inspector and the Minimum Housing Inspector. |
• | Cooperate with the Assessor's Office by reporting promptly all permits issued for new construction and all permits for demolitions, renovation and additions to existing structures which automatically change the assessed value of such property, and |
• | Be responsible for any additional duties and responsibilities as may be delegated to this Division. |