[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Middletown as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 3-9-1972 (Ch. 12 of the 1972 Code); amended in its entirety 12-11-2017]
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
A. 
The Chief of Police for Middletown, as appointed by the Town Council, is the chief law enforcement officer for the Town and is the commanding officer in charge and control of the Town Police Department. The Chief of Police must be a professional law enforcement officer and is responsible for the recruitment, training, morale and direction of the Town police officers. He may provide those officers with the ranks and grades as may be designated by the Town Council. He is responsible for the application of the law by his officers. The Chief of Police is responsible for the administration of the Police Department. He may hire officers with the advice and consent of the Town Personnel and Finance Committee. The Chief of Police shall ensure the maintenance of adequate personnel, arrest, investigative, reportable incidents and noncriminal incident records necessary for the efficient operation of a law enforcement agency. The Mayor of the Town, with advice and consent of the Town Council, is the direct supervisor of the Chief of Police.
B. 
The Chief of Police shall serve Middletown and ensure full faith and compliance with the laws of the Town and commonwealth. He shall organize the officers appointed to serve Middletown and shall give such service to the Town as the Mayor and Town Council may direct.
Upon the hiring and taking an oath of office as Middletown Police Department members, officers are deemed appointed by the Town Council of Middletown. Officers appointed to the Middletown Police Department shall serve Middletown and ensure full faith and compliance with the laws of the Town and commonwealth. They shall serve at the direction of the Town Police Chief. All notices shall be served and minor duties performed in connection with the execution of the work embodied in this Code or other laws that apply within the Town. Neglect, failure or refusal to perform any or all duties required shall be punishable as set forth in the Department's General Orders. The Middletown Police Department, the Frederick County Sheriff and his deputies shall be charged with the enforcement of all criminal laws throughout the Town and to maintain peace and order within the Town.
[Adopted 3-9-1972 (Ch. 2, Art. VI, of the 1972 Code); amended in its entirety 11-13-2018]
[Amended 5-11-2026]
At the first meeting of the Town Council in January, following November Council elections, the Council shall appoint a Town Police Chief who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Council. Before entering upon their duties, they shall execute such bond as this Code or other ordinances of the Town require. Any vacancy in the office shall be filled by the Council.
The Mayor shall have the power to remove the Town Police Chief at any time for misconduct in office or neglect of duty to be specified in the order of removal, but no such removal shall be made unless a reasonable notice is given the officer complained of and an opportunity is given him to be heard in his defense. Any such officer shall have the right to appeal from the Mayor to the Town Council, and if 2/3 of the members elected to the Council sustain the officer, he shall be reinstated; otherwise the action of the Mayor shall stand.
A. 
It shall be the duty of the Town Police Chief to collect all taxes or levies made by the Code or other ordinance or resolution of the Town Council; sell all delinquent personal property as herein provided and in the manner prescribed by law; collect all fines and penalties assessed by the Mayor or Council; and pay all taxes, levies and fines into the hands of the Treasurer. He shall oversee, administer and operate the Town Police Department. He shall make a monthly report to the Council. He shall discharge all such duties as are prescribed by law for such officers.
B. 
The Town Police Chief and his officers shall have the powers and generally discharge the same duties as any law enforcement department in Virginia. He shall ensure all ordinances of the Town are enforced and the peace kept in Town. In addition, he shall have such powers and duties as are prescribed by state and local laws.
The Town Police Chief shall be paid such salary as may be fixed from time to time by the Town Council.
The bond of the Town Police Chief shall be in an amount as established by the Town Council, conditioned according to law.