[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of DeWitt 1-14-2002
by L.L. No. 1-2002. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Deputy Police Chief — See Ch. 38.
There is hereby created within the Town of DeWitt the Department of
Police and Public Safety. The Department of Police and Public Safety shall
combine the functions of several departments within the Town and shall incorporate
the Town of DeWitt Police Department in whole.
The Town Board of the Town of DeWitt enacts this chapter to create a
new department to be known as the "Department of Police and Public Safety,"
to provide for the appointment of a Chief of Police and Public Safety and
to define duties. The Department is created for the purpose of coordinating
and consolidating the police, fire and emergency medical service advisory
board, disaster coordination, civil defense, youth and school safety and dangerous
animal control.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
The Chief of the Department of Police and Public Safety.
The Department of Police and Public Safety.
The Town of DeWitt.
The Town Board of the Town of DeWitt.
There is hereby created the office of the Chief of Police and Public
Safety to administer the Department of Police and Public Safety. The terms
of said office shall be from the first day of January succeeding the biannual
Town election for a period of two years and until a successor or successors
have been qualified; provided, however, that the appointee to such office
shall be removable at the pleasure of the Town Board.
The qualifications of the office of Chief of Police and Public Safety
shall be:
A.
The office of Chief of Police and Public Safety shall
include the office of Chief of Police of the Town of DeWitt Police Department,
and the individual appointed to the office of the Chief of Police and Public
Safety shall serve as the Chief of Police for the Town of DeWitt Police Department.
The Chief of Police and Public Safety, as head of that Department, shall also
be responsible for other duties. The duties of the Chief shall include:
(1)
Formulating departmental policies, establishing departmental
procedures, and issuing oral and written directives to sworn civilian personnel.
(2)
Planning assignments of officers and supervisors to achieve
optimum police service to the community.
(3)
Observing activities and reviewing reports of subordinates
to determine patterns of criminal activity and other public safety problems
within the jurisdiction.
(4)
Monitoring compliance of employees with statutes and
rules and regulations of the agency and maintaining current training in accepted
procedures and practices of law enforcement.
(5)
Investigating complaints involving personnel, procedures
or performance of the Department, and initiating disciplinary or other corrective
actions as necessary to reduce liability and maintain professional standards
of conduct and performance.
(6)
Maintaining liaison with state and local law enforcement
agencies to coordinate joint law enforcement activities and to exchange information
pertaining to criminal incidents and investigations.
(7)
Evaluation performance of police and civilian personnel
according to departmental standards.
(8)
Supervising the preparation of state, federal and local
reports on police activities and criminal activity within the jurisdiction.
(9)
Supervising the preparation of the Department's
budget and recommending the purchase of necessary equipment and supplies.
(10)
Administering the budget approved for the Department
by the appropriate local government body.
(11)
Informing the public regarding departmental policies
and activities to maintain public awareness and support of the Department,
and fostering cooperation between the citizens and the officers of the Department.
(12)
Maintaining liaison with the media to support public
awareness and public safety education.
(13)
Managing, supervising and/or participating in investigations
of major crimes or incidents as required.
B.
The Chief shall be responsible for additional duties
and responsibilities, and these shall include:
(1)
Exercising those powers and duties necessary for the
general supervision of the Department of Police and Public Safety.
(2)
Planning and organizing, directing and reviewing of administrative
procedures necessary to the operation of the Department of Police and Public
Safety.
(3)
Supervising and reviewing the work of the departmental
subordinates and reporting periodically to the Supervisor concerning the operation,
financial condition and future financing needs of his Department, and he shall
have the power to employ such officers and/or employees as he deems necessary
for the proper operation of the Department of Police and Public Safety, within
budgetary limitations established by the Town Board of the Town of DeWitt.
(4)
Being responsible for the administration of the Town
of DeWitt Police Department, the coordination of volunteer fire departments
operating within the Town, the coordination of the activities of the Fire
and Emergency Services Board and, in this respect, he shall be an ex-officio
member of said Board, and the enforcement of all codes, ordinances and local
laws now existing, or hereinafter enacted, which pertain to the Town of DeWitt,
with the exception of those codes, ordinances and local laws whose enforcement
is the responsibility of the Commission of Development and Operations.
(5)
Establishing forms and procedures for the enforcement
of all codes, ordinances and local laws, now existing or hereinafter enacted
which pertain to the Town of DeWitt.
(6)
Preparing an annual budget of anticipated departmental
receipts and expenditures and submitting the same to the Town Comptroller
for his review and further action.
(7)
Performing such other duties as may be assigned by the
Supervisor, the Town Board or other local laws and ordinances.
(8)
Director of Town of DeWitt Homeland Security.
(a)
In charge of security of the Town of DeWitt Water Systems
working with the Town of DeWitt Water Superintendent and the Department of
Environmental Conservation and Environmental Protection Agency.
(b)
In charge of security for all Town parks for the park
system of the Town of DeWitt, including all the parks, trails, outdoor facilities,
including vacant land maintained by the Town of DeWitt and the Town of DeWitt
landfill.
(c)
Shall be in charge of security for all Town of DeWitt
Municipal Buildings, including the Town Hall and Town highway garage in cooperation
with the Town Highway Superintendent. The parks maintenance facility, in cooperation
with the Director of Parks and Recreation, and any other Town-owned building
shall also be the Chief's responsibility.
(d)
Shall be the Town liaison with the Director of the Town
of DeWitt Homeland Security for the United States government.
(9)
The Chief shall be responsible for the integration and
should advocate and facilitate the deployment of appropriate resources of
the law enforcement services to the Town of DeWitt for all agencies having
a duty to serve the Town and its residents.
(10)
The Chief shall seek grants from public and private sources
in cooperation with the Police Commission and shall prepare the necessary
documentation and applications that are required.
A.
A thorough knowledge of accepted principles and practices
of law enforcement as applied to Town and village police agencies.
B.
A good knowledge of New York State Penal Law, Criminal
Procedure Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law and other relevant state and local
laws.
C.
A good knowledge of accepted principles and practices
of administration and supervision as applied to police work.
D.
An ability to supervise and effectively command others
in emergencies.
E.
An ability to deal firmly, persuasively and effectively
with the general public, municipal officials, the media, and others in a manner
conducive of cooperative relationships.
F.
Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the
position.
G.
Must pass physical and psychological examination prior
to being hired and shall be subject to said physical and psychological examination
on a biennial basis.
The qualification for Chief of Police and Public Safety shall be a minimum
of a bachelors degree in Police Administration or Police Science and Criminal
Justice or similar area of study and five years' experience as a police
officer, sheriff's deputy or member of the New York State Police, with
at least two years of supervision experience at the rank of sergeant or above;
or an associates degree in the above areas with 10 years' experience
with at least five years at the rank of sergeant or above; or 20 years'
experience with 10 years' experience in the rank of sergeant or above.
The Chief of Police and Public Safety shall have the ability to hire
and fire police officers, promote and demote police officers and other employees
within the Department, subject to the authorized staffing of the Department
and the Town budget. The hiring and firing must be consistent with law and
labor agreements. The Chief shall keep the Town Police Commission informed
of impending personnel changes.
The Chief shall, as Director of Town of DeWitt Homeland Security, be
the chief of the Emergency Management Plan for the Town and shall be responsible
for the coordination of all participating in the plan. The Chief shall be
responsible for the education and training of all Town of Dewitt personnel
regarding the plan. When appropriate, he shall seek the Town Board's
approval of any updates to the plan. This should be done on an annual basis.
