The following words and phrases, when used in this chapter,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section except where
the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
CHIEF OF POLICE
The police officer designated by the Board to be the chief
officer of the Police Department established by this chapter.
DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE
The police officer designated by the Board of Commissioners
to be in charge of the Police Department in the absence of the Chief
of Police.
FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICER
A natural person employed by the Township on an annual salary
as a police officer, whose principal occupation is that of police
officer of the Township, and who devotes not less than 44 hours in
each week to the performance of his duties as such.
PART-TIME POLICE OFFICER
A natural person, employed on an hourly basis by the Township,
for the performance of the duties of a police officer for not more
than 60 hours per week.
POLICE OFFICER
Unless modified by the term "full-time" or the term "part-time,"
shall mean any natural person employed by the Township as a police
officer, whether full-time or part-time.
There is hereby established a Township Police Department or
police force which, until otherwise provided by further resolution,
shall consist of not less than one nor more than eight full-time police
officers and such additional part-time police officers as the Board,
by resolution, shall from time to time employ to assist the full-time
police officers in the maintenance of law and order within the Township.
The number of full-time police officers employed by the Township
pursuant to the authority and subject to the limitations of this chapter
shall be fixed by resolution of the Board.
The resolution fixing the number of full-time police officers
shall, if two such police officers are employed, designate one of
them as Chief of Police and the other as patrol officer, provided
that in the absence or illness of the police officer so designated
as Chief of Police the other of such police officers shall perform
all of the duties of Chief of Police. Should only one full-time police
officer be employed pursuant to such resolution then such officer
shall be designated as Chief of Police.
All rules and regulations adopted by the Board for the governance
of such police force shall be administered by the Public Safety Committee
which is hereby charged with the duty and responsibility of enforcing
and executing such rules and regulations.
The Chief of Police shall report directly to the Chair of the
Public Safety Committee and shall diligently perform all duties assigned
to him by said Chair. All requests for the purchase of equipment,
suggestions for amendment of or supplement to the rules and regulations
governing the operation of the police force, and all other matters
relating to the operation of the police force shall be directed by
the Chief of Police.
The Board, at the time of adopting its annual budget ordinance,
shall by ordinance or resolution fix and determine the compensation
of all police officers for the ensuing year.
Before entering upon their duties hereunder, all police officers
shall take and subscribe to the oath of loyalty prescribed by the
Pennsylvania Loyalty Act.
All such police officers shall have and exercise all of the
powers and authority vested in police officers by the several provisions
of Article XIV of the First Class Township Code as amended and as
the same may be hereafter amended, but subject to all of the limitations
and restrictions contained therein.
Except as otherwise provided by law or by other provision or
provisions of this chapter, the Board may by motion exercise all of
the powers vested in it by said Article XIV of the First Class Township
Code relating to the organization and operation of the Township police
force.
The Board hereby certifies, pursuant to Act 120 of 1974, that
it will adhere to the standards for training established by the Commission.