The Department of Police shall preserve the peace of the community
and protect the life, property and personal liberty of persons within
the Township.
[Added 12-18-2014 by Ord.
No. 2014-11; amended 5-20-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-05. Formerly 5-68A]
A. The Township
Manager shall appoint a Chief of Police to manage and oversee the
Department of Police, who shall be responsible to the Township Manager
for the performance of the functions of the Department.
B. The Chief of Police position remains a sworn officer position and the Chief is a civil service employee within the meaning of Article
VI, §§ 625 through 650, 53 P.S. §§ 55625 through 55650, with all protections thereunder.
C. All administrative
and enforcement measures taken by the Township under color of authority
of this chapter which relate to the hiring, dismissal, promotion or
demotion of the Chief of Police shall be within the scope of 53 P.S.
§ 55632.
D. Qualifications.
The minimum acceptable training and experience for the Chief of Police
shall be as follows:
(1) A B.A.
or B.S. degree from an accredited college or university with major
course work in police science, criminology or a related field; or
in lieu of such degree, a high school diploma supplemented by formal
training in modern police administration, methods and practices at
the F.B.I. National Academy, Quantico, Virginia, or an equivalent
educational institution.
(2) Sworn
law enforcement officer under Act 120 and certified by the Municipal
Police Officers’ Education & Training Commission.
(3) Ten
years of experience in modern police work in a supervisory capacity.
(4) Extensive
knowledge of the principles and practices of modern police administration
and methods.
(5) Extensive
knowledge of the principles and practices and procedures as applied
to patrol, traffic control, criminal investigation, crime prevention
and other police activities.
(6) Extensive
knowledge of the types and uses of firearms, communications and automotive
equipment used in modern police work.
(7) Extensive
knowledge of the functions and jurisdictions of Federal, State and
local police and criminal authorities.
(8) Extensive
knowledge and experience in the organization and supervision of a
Police Department performing varied and complex police operations,
the ability to develop proper training and instructional procedures
for employees and the ability to maintain a high level of discipline
and morale among Police Department employees.
(9) Extensive
knowledge, experience and “people skills” needed to establish
and maintain an effective and harmonious working relationship with
Township officials, subordinate police officers, State and Federal
authorities, civic leaders and the general public.
(10) Extensive
experience in expressing ideas effectively both orally and in writing.
E. Duties.
The duties of the Chief of Police shall be as follows:
(1) Maintain
an efficient operation of the Police Department through the control
of activities and programs designed to prevent crime and protect lives
and properties of the public through training, assignment, supervision
and discipline of all Department members.
(2) Formulate
policies, regulations and program priorities governing the activities
of the Department.
(3) Conduct
background investigations of persons for initial appointment to the
police force and evaluate police personnel for advancement or promotion
in accordance with standards and guidelines established from time
to time in the Civil Service Rules and Regulations (Appendix II of
this chapter).
(4) Formulate,
review and establish work methods, procedures and conditions for the
operation of the Police Department.
(5) Plan
and supervise the enforcement of traffic safety regulations and programs
of crime prevention and detection.
(6) Supervise
the preparation of the annual budget of the Department and control
the expenditure of budgeted funds.
(7) Oversee
all phases of the promotion and advancement system within the Department
of Police, in cooperation with the Civil Service Commission, to ensure
the overall integrity of the police testing procedure.
(8) Establish
and maintain police training programs, specific training assignments
for subordinate officers and an effective program of police personnel
evaluation.
(9) Cooperate
with State and Federal law enforcement officers in the apprehension
and detention of persons charged with crimes and with other agencies
where the activities of the Police Department are involved.
(10) Provide
for the efficient maintenance and operation of the police communication
system, equipment and other property.
(11) Attend
civic club meetings, churches, schools and other public gatherings
to explain the activities and functions of the police and to establish
and maintain good public relations.
(12) Attempt
to obtain the benefits of all county, State and Federal grants designed
to advance police activities in the Township.
(13) Perform
such other duties as may be required by the Township Manager.
The duties of the Department of Police shall be to:
A. Prevent crimes
against person and property.
B. Enforce those
laws, ordinances and regulations which are within the jurisdiction
of the police.
C. Detect, apprehend
and prosecute criminals.
D. Return recovered
property.
E. Prevent
and control juvenile delinquency.
F. Maintain
records and files of crimes and criminals and other related police
matters.
G. Be responsible
for operation of facilities for the safekeeping of prisoners.
H. Regulate
vehicular and other traffic, prevent accidents and congestion.
I. Regulate
noncriminal conduct to maintain order.
J. Provide
training programs for all Township police.
K. Be responsible
for the operation and maintenance of police radios and other Township
radios and emergency communications systems as may be assigned to
the Department by the Township Manager.
L. Maintain
records and logs of radio and emergency communication systems as are
required by law.
M. Provide
general service, information, assistance and advice to the public
within the scope of the function of the Department.
N. Organize
and maintain such Township Crime Watch Programs as may be established
from time to time.
O. Institute
and administer the Youth Aid Panel Program.
P. Perform
such other lawful duties as may be required by the Township Manager.