There is hereby created a Police Department in and for the Borough of Langhorne, to be named and known as the "Borough of Langhorne Police Department."
[Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Langhorne as indicated in the article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 12-18-1990]
The Police Department shall consist of such number of police officers as may from time to time be determined by resolution of the Borough Council. One member of the Police Department may, at the discretion of Borough Council, be classified and serve as Chief of Police. One member of the Police Department may, at the discretion of Borough Council, be classified and serve as Police Sergeant. The remaining members of the Police Department shall be classified and serve as either full-time police officers or part-time police officers, at the discretion of the Borough Council.
A.
There is hereby created in the Police Department the office of Chief of Police. He shall be the chief executive and administrative officer of the Police Department and shall, under the direction and delegation of the Mayor, be in charge of the police force.
B.
The Chief of Police shall have supervision over its members in the exercise of their powers, duties and authority, and shall have all the powers and duties vested by law in Borough police officers.
C.
The Chief of Police shall serve the Borough on a part-time or full-time regular basis as determined by Borough Council by resolution and shall be on call by the Mayor at all hours of the day and night to serve in any emergencies.
D.
The Chief of Police shall receive such compensation from time to time as shall be determined by the Borough Council.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Members of the Police Department shall be classified as follows:
A.
Police sergeant. He is to be a police supervisor responsible for providing necessary direction to police employees, other assigned official duties, and reporting to the Chief of Police. One member of the Police Department may, at the discretion of Borough Council, be classified and serve as Police Sergeant. The remaining members of the Police Department shall be classified and serve as either full-time police officers or part-time police officers, at the discretion of Borough Council.
B.
Full-time police officers.
(1)
All full-time police officers shall be appointed by the Borough Council. No police officers serving on an hourly, daily or similar basis or who regularly work less than 40 hours per week shall be considered a full-time police officer. Rather, such officer shall be considered a part-time police officer subject to the provisions of Subsection C of this section.
(2)
Each appointee to the position of full-time police officer will serve a probationary period of one full year, following which the appointment shall be permanent. If the Police Tenure Act (53 P.S. § 811 et seq.) or the Borough Code (8 Pa.C.S.A. § 1186) is amended in the future to provide for a longer probationary period, any such amendment to the Police Tenure Act or the Borough Code shall be deemed to be an automatic amendment to this article extending the probationary period of full-time police officers of the Borough of Langhorne.
(3)
Full-time police officers, prior to their appointment, shall undergo and satisfactorily complete a course of training at a police training school authorized by the Borough Council. Further, notwithstanding anything to the contrary implied in this article, the Borough Council may deem completion of such training prior to hire as a condition of employment.
(4)
Prior to the expiration of their probation period, all full-time officers shall comply with the residency requirements of § 80-5.
(5)
The regular hours of employment for each full-time police officer shall be 40 hours per workweek. For the purpose of this section, a "workweek" shall be such seven-day period as the Borough Council shall from time to time designate.
(6)
Hours of employment by full-time police officers in excess of 40 hours per workweek is authorized only in emergencies or when reasonably necessary to provide scheduled police coverage due to the absence for any reason of a normally scheduled full-time police officer and the unavailability of a part-time police officer to fill the schedule of the absent officer.
C.
Part-time police officers; special police officers.
(1)
All part-time police officers and special school police officers shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Borough Council.
(2)
Part-time police officers shall be employed only for such periods of time and shall be required for emergency or to provide scheduled police coverage due to the absence for any reason of a normally scheduled full-time police officer. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to imply that the Borough Council shall be obligated to have a police force of such size as to have full-time police officers covering the Borough on a twenty-four-hour basis.
(3)
Part-time police officers shall be paid on an hourly basis. The part-time police officers, while on duty, shall have all the powers and be subject to all the duties conferred and imposed upon Borough police by law.
All members of the police department, except part-time police officers, shall become residents of the Borough of Langhorne or reside within five miles of the Borough of Langhorne Hall within one year of their appointment. Borough Council may, at its absolute discretion, waive said requirement if special circumstances which would constitute a hardship if the requirement were imposed exists.
Any member of the Police Department residing in the Borough may at the same time hold and exercise the office of Constable in the Borough. He may demand and receive all costs, fees, and emoluments pertaining to such office for services rendered as such Constable while he is not on duty as a Borough policeman.
Every member of the Police Department shall when on duty wear a shield or badge, visibly displayed, inscribed with the word "Police."
The Mayor of the Borough of Langhorne shall have full charge and control of the Police Department and its membership. He shall direct the time during which, the place where and the manner in which the membership of the Police Department shall perform its duties; provided, however, that no part-time member of the Police Department shall be subject to perform duties as police officer during the hours of his regular employment or occupation by which he principally earns his livelihood. Subject only to the provisions set forth herein, the duties of the Mayor to oversee the police force as provided in the applicable sections of the Borough Code (8 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq.) shall not be deemed diminished.
A.
The salaries, compensation, benefits and/or conditions of employment of the Chief of Police and all full-time police officers shall be established and determined from time to time by the Borough Council. Said salaries shall be payable in regular installments no greater than monthly on orders authorized by Borough Council.
B.
The compensation of the membership of the Police Department shall be paid from duly appropriated funds of the Borough Treasury by the Borough Treasurer upon orders signed by the President of Council and the Borough Secretary.
C.
The compensation, benefits and conditions of employment of all part-time police officers, special school police and special police appointed in an emergency by the Mayor or the member of Council designated as the Emergency Management Coordinator shall be established and determined from time to time by the Borough Council.
A.
The members of the Police Department shall be appointed to the Department by appropriate resolutions of the Borough Council. The member of the Department serving on a part-time basis shall do so at the pleasure of the Borough Council and may be removed from his office or post at any time, with or without cause, by resolution of the Borough Council. The Chief of Police and full-time police officers shall enjoy the tenure of their office as provided for by law, and they may be removed or suspended for such cause or causes and in such manner as is prescribed by the Acts of Assembly in such cases made and provided.
B.
Any member of the police department who reaches the age of 70 years shall be involuntarily retired. Borough Council may, by resolution, set a lower mandatory retirement age for full-time police officers.
A.
The Borough school police officers may be appointed by the Borough Council, by resolution, from time to time as the need for them shall appear. Their powers, responsibilities and rights shall be limited to controlling and directing traffic at or near schools and such other powers as established in the Borough Code.[1]
B.
School police officers shall be subject to the control and direction of the Mayor, or, if the Mayor so designates, of the Chief of Police, including the hours during which they shall be employed. Their compensation shall be fixed by resolution of Borough Council from time to time.
This article shall take effect immediately upon the effective date of the appointment of a police officer pursuant to the terms hereof. Despite such effective date, during the interim period while some or all of the police coverage is being provided by the State Police, nothing in this article shall be deemed to diminish the powers of the State Police acting with the Borough to perform as police officers to the fullest extent of the law.
If any section, paragraph, subsection, clause or provision of this article shall be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of this article as a whole or any part thereof other than that portion specifically declared invalid.
[Adopted 3-12-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-04]
As provided in the Pennsylvania Borough Code, 8 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq., and in consultation and agreement with the Chief of Police and Mayor of the Borough of Langhorne, an Auxiliary Police Unit is hereby established for the Borough.
The purpose of this article is to establish and provide for the organization and regulation of the Borough of Langhorne Auxiliary Police Unit in accordance with the Pennsylvania Auxiliary Police Law 53 P.S. § 731 et seq., and Sections 1121 and 1123.1 of the Pennsylvania Borough Code, 8 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 1121 and 1123.1.
A.
The Auxiliary Police Unit shall assist the Borough of Langhorne Police Department in any emergency or activity deemed necessary by the Borough of Langhorne Mayor, in his/her sole discretion, and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
B.
The primary duties of the Auxiliary Police Unit shall be assisting the Police Department of the Borough of Langhorne with traffic control at parades, police emergencies, automobile accidents, Borough events and special details. Members of the Auxiliary Police Unit on active duty shall have the same powers as regular police officers of the Borough of Langhorne Police Department from the time they report for active duty until they are relieved from such active duty, except members of the Auxiliary Police Unit shall not be permitted to carry, use and/or discharge any firearm while on active duty.
C.
Members of the Auxiliary Police Unit shall serve at the pleasure of the Borough of Langhorne Chief of Police and shall perform such assignments and duties as may be assigned by the Chief of Police.
All applicants for the Borough of Langhorne Auxiliary Police Unit shall be residents of the Borough of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, or an adjacent municipality, as determined by the Borough of Langhorne Police Chief in his/her sole discretion. All applicants must have attained the age of 21 years prior to the date of his/her first, new applicant meeting. Applicants must complete a personnel application form, which will be submitted to the Borough of Langhorne Police Department for review, background investigation, and approval by the Borough of Langhorne Chief of Police. Prospective members are required to attend three training meetings before being nominated by the Borough of Langhorne Chief of Police for confirmation and swearing in by the Mayor of the Borough of Langhorne.
After completion of the three required training sessions and nomination by the Borough of Langhorne Chief of Police, new members to the Auxiliary Police Unit shall be confirmed and sworn in by the Mayor of the Borough of Langhorne at a time and date determined by the mutual agreement of the Mayor and Chief of Police of the Borough of Langhorne. All new members to the Auxiliary Police Unit shall complete a twelve-month probation period, with the terms and conditions of such probation determined by the Chief of Police of the Borough of Langhorne.
The Borough of Langhorne Auxiliary Police Unit shall consist of no more than 12 members, with three members designated as Auxiliary Police Supervisors, who will assist with the administration of the Auxiliary Police under the direction of the Chief of Police of the Borough of Langhorne.
Uniforms and equipment shall be supplied by the Langhorne Police Department and shall remain the property of the Borough of Langhorne. Uniforms and equipment shall only be worn or displayed while on active duty. Uniforms must be worn in their entirety while on duty. No unauthorized uniforms, accessories, or equipment shall be worn or displayed while on duty. When an individual ceases to be a member of the Borough of Langhorne Auxiliary Police Unit, for any reason, all issued uniforms, accessories, and equipment shall be promptly returned to the Borough of Langhorne Police Department. If said inactive member fails to return all issued uniforms, accessories and/or equipment, that inactive member shall immediately reimburse the costs of said uniform, accessory and equipment to the Borough of Langhorne Police Department.
Members of the Auxiliary Police Unit shall adhere to the following general code of conduct:
A.
Be responsible for the efficient performance of his/her duties in conformity with the policies and procedures of the Auxiliary Police Unit and the Borough of Langhorne Police Department and the Police Code of Conduct.
B.
Exercise authority consistent with obligations imposed by the oath of office and be accountable to his/her superiors, promptly obeying all legitimate orders from any police officer of the Borough of Langhorne Police Department.
C.
Coordinate his/her efforts with other Members of the Auxiliary Police Unit and the police officers of the Borough of Langhorne Police Department, so that his/her combined efforts and teamwork may ensure continuity of purpose and maximum achievement of service program objectives.
D.
Communicate to his/her superiors and to his/her coworkers any and all information obtained that is pertinent to the achievement of service program objectives.
E.
Conduct themselves in accordance with high ethical standards of the Borough of Langhorne Police Department while both on duty and off duty.
F.
Report for duty at specified time, physically fit, neatly and properly groomed, with prescribed equipment and, if so ordered, report to his/her supervisor at the conclusion of his/her tour of duty.
G.
Make all reports in conformity with the procedures of the Borough of Langhorne Police Department or his/her accurate and complete preparation.
H.
Exert every effort to satisfy the needs of citizens requesting service, assistance or information in a timely and courteous manner.
I.
When directing the movement of vehicular traffic, take a conspicuous and safe position, making signals clear and positive.
A.
Members of the Auxiliary Police Unit shall report to an on-duty police officer of the Borough of Langhorne Police Department to receive assignments when responding to emergency situations. Members of the Auxiliary Police Unit shall report for assigned special details and patrol "ride-alongs" at the predetermined dates and times and shall receive assignments from the applicable on-duty police officer of the Borough of Langhorne Police Department upon arrival.
B.
Members of the Auxiliary Police Unit shall remain at the assigned post until reassigned or relieved.
Portable radios will be provided to members of the Auxiliary Police Unit, if available and when deemed necessary by the Borough of Langhorne Chief of Police. Radios must be logged in and out with the on-duty police officer of the Borough of Langhorne Police Department. Members of the Auxiliary Police Unit will use "plain speak" language in conformity with the radio procedures of the Borough of Langhorne Police Department during all radio transmissions. All radio calls must pertain to official business only. Profanity, discriminatory and/or derogatory language is prohibited, forbidden, and shall constitute a violation of the Borough regulations and laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
A.
Members of the Auxiliary Police Unit shall abide by the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq.
B.
Members of the Auxiliary Police Unit are absolutely prohibited from using any emergency warning device or lights (e.g., police/emergency-style flashing lights, sirens, or spotlights) on his/her private vehicles, regardless of whether such private vehicle is moving or parked. Members of the Auxiliary Police may only use his/her private vehicle's factory lights, such as four-way flashers, while parked at the curb or directing traffic and may not use his/her lights or private vehicle to gain access to a right-of-way while in motion or passage through an intersection.
C.
Members of the Auxiliary Police Unit may not use his/her vehicles to block intersections or divert traffic. If the situation warrants a vehicle blocking an intersection, a police or other emergency vehicle will be placed at the location.
A.
All members of the Auxiliary Police Unit are required to have a current and valid first aid and CPR certification card. The Borough of Langhorne Police Department shall provide first aid and CPR certification training to any member who does not have such certification. A member who does not have a valid first aid and CPR certification card must attend the first available training course offered by the Borough of Langhorne Police Department after his/her application for membership is approved and accepted.
B.
Members of the Borough of Langhorne Auxiliary Police Unit whose first aid and CPR certification cards expire during his/her membership in the Auxiliary Police Unit must successfully complete a refresher course to renew his/her certification at the earliest available opportunity.
C.
Members of the Auxiliary Police Unit that do not possess a current and valid first aid and CPR certification are prohibited from rendering first aid and/or CPR while on duty or otherwise representing the Borough of Langhorne or the Borough of Langhorne Police Department.
A.
No member of the Auxiliary Police Unit shall directly or indirectly accept any gift, favor, service, or other consideration for services rendered.
B.
The funds of the Auxiliary Police Unit shall be audited annually according to the practices and procedures of the Borough of Langhorne, with the resulting audit reports submitted to the Manager and Chief of Police of the Borough of Langhorne.
All donations to the Auxiliary Police Unit shall be placed in the Auxiliary Police Fund established by the Borough of Langhorne.
The following reasons are cause for suspension and/or removal from the Auxiliary Police Unit:
A.
Physical or mental disability affecting the ability to continue in active service;
B.
Neglect or violation of official duties;
C.
Violation of any law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which provides that such violation constitutes a misdemeanor or felony;
D.
Inefficiency, neglect of duty, intemperance, disobedience of orders or conduct unbecoming an officer, or violation of rules and regulations delineated by the Borough of Langhorne Chief of Police;
E.
Intoxication or under the influence while on duty; and
F.
Any other conduct warranting suspension or removal by the sole judgment and discretion of the Borough of Langhorne Chief of Police.
Auxiliary Police Unit members are volunteers and shall not be considered employees of the Borough of Langhorne. Civil service laws and regulations shall not be applicable to any member of the Auxiliary Police Unit.
A.
All other ordinances, portions of ordinances, or any other section of the Borough regulations and Code which is or are inconsistent with this article, are hereby repealed.
B.
The provisions of this article are severable. If any section, clause, sentence, part or provision thereof shall be held illegal, invalid, or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision of the court shall not affect or impair any of the remaining sections, clauses, sentences, parts or provisions of this article. It is hereby declared to be the intent of the Borough that this article would have been adopted if such illegal, invalid or unconstitutional section, clause, sentence or part of a provision had not been included herein.
C.
This article shall be effective five days after enactment by the Council of the Borough of Langhorne, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.