Township of Athens, PA Rules and Regulations

The Chief of Police shall establish a work schedule for all patrol officers and shall have it posted for their inspection.

The Chief will assign work schedules to meet the needs of the Township. The shifts need not be consecutive.

Departmental meetings shall be held quarterly or as often as necessary by the Commissioner, Chief or his designee.

Meals and breaks shall be kept to a reasonable length of time.

(5)

When an officer desires vacation, a written request shall be made at least one week in advance. The Chief may either grant or deny the request.

Personal conduct.

While on duty each officer shall be in full uniform and shall be neatly dressed. All uniforms shall be clean and of the style designated by the Chief of Police.

Each officer shall be clean-shaven with hair neatly combed. An officer may wear a mustache but no beard.

Each officer shall check the patrol car before starting his shift to make sure all equipment is working and present. All lights, sirens, etc., are to be tested and the oil checked.

Each officer shall see to it, after his tour of duty is over, that the patrol car is clean and has 1/2 tank of gas for the next duty officer.

(5)

There will be no one allowed in the police vehicles without prior approval from the Chief of Police or his designee unless on official business. No personal equipment will be allowed in the vehicles unless approved by the Chief of Police or his designee.

(6)

All officers shall use the radio equipment in a professional manner, using the proper codes and signals. There will be no swearing or abusive language permitted.

(7)

An officer may leave the Township to follow up on any complaint while on duty. However, the Chief and/or his designee should be notified in advance so proper coverage can be provided. Further, this subsection applies only to use of the vehicle within the boroughs included within the boundaries of Athens Township and the dispatch office in Waverly, New York.

(8)

All officers shall respond when called to assist another department. The dispatcher must be notified so a proper record may be kept.

(9)

Each officer will communicate case facts accurately and in a timely manner to fellow officers in order to further the purpose of effective police work.

(10)

No officer shall disclose departmental problems or any other information to any other person except in the discharge of duty. Any internal problems shall be kept within the Department.

(11)

Each officer shall be respectful of all other personnel and shall not be abusive in any way to anyone whatsoever.

(12)

No officer shall take any gift or gratuity for the performance of duties.

(13)

Each officer will extend professional standards of decorum to fellow officers within the Township and to officers in the adjoining towns. Abusive language, a lack of courtesy or any conduct unbecoming an officer will not be tolerated.

(14)

Officers have to display a loyalty to the force and to each other. Problems arising shall not be discussed outside the force except as required by law.

(15)

The Chief of Police will investigate all complaints filed against members of the Department and shall make a written report to be placed in the administrative file. This report shall include a copy to be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors.

(16)

Any officers bypassing the Chief of Police about departmental matters or problems shall be subject to disciplinary action for not following procedures. All orders, whether verbal or written, must be obeyed without question.

(17)

Any officer with a complaint or grievance must file a written report with the Chief of Police stating the problem. The Chief must respond within a period of 10 days. If the action of the Chief as explained in the response does not resolve the problem, the aggrieved officer shall inform the Chief of this, and the Chief will then authorize the officer to take the problem to the Chairman of the Police Committee, who has 10 days to respond, and then it will be taken to the full Board.

(18)

All officers shall know the rules and regulations of the Athens Township Police Department and shall take orders only from the Chief of Police or his designee. These orders may be in writing or given orally.

On-job duties.

Each officer shall be responsible for knowing the boundaries of the Township and shall report all hazardous conditions to the Chief or his designee before the end of his shift, or sooner if necessary.

The dispatcher is to be informed of doors and windows which are discovered to be open so that a complete record may be maintained. The officer shall have the owner notified and wait a maximum of 30 minutes for the owner's arrival.

All officers, when on duty, shall maintain radio contact with the dispatcher. If the area is in a problem communication area, the officers shall notify the dispatcher of some way to communicate with them.

No reports of any type will be taken from the Police Department officer except for hearings, court or investigations.

(5)

All reports or documents leaving the office will be signed out and the reason given and signed in when returned.

(6)

Cases that require written reports will be documented within 24 working hours of completion of the investigation and placed in the Department's file. Investigations taking more than 24 hours shall have an initial report and be supplemented weekly.

(7)

All officers shall prepare their court cases for the District Attorney and forward all records or evidence, as requested, within a period of five days.

(8)

The Chief of Police is responsible for seeing that reports to the State Police, state government or federal government are completed on time and accurately and promptly forwarded. The Chief may delegate this job to officers to complete this task.

(9)

Officers on duty are responsible for a quick response to calls. If additional manpower is needed for a call, the Chief or his designee will assign the additional officers.

(10)

Arresting officers will determine the extent of charges, subject to review by the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police will give direction and have final approval on all arrests made within Athens Township.

(11)

No officer shall excuse any traffic citation or criminal complaint unless approved by the Chief of Police.

(12)

Request for borrowing equipment from the Department shall be referred to the Chief or his designee, who shall have the authority to approve or disapprove such a request

(13)

It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police or his designee to investigate all suspicious deaths within the Township and to see that the proper officials, as required by law, are informed and to see that all reports are complete.

Personal incidents.

All officers shall inform the Chief of Police or his designee of any and all defects in Department equipment. In the event of an accident, no matter how minor, the Chief or his designee shall be called to the scene to investigate.

All officers shall report any injury to themselves to the Chief of Police or his designee within three hours of its occurrence and may be required to submit a typed written report as to how the injury occurred.

The use of the Police Department vehicles shall be kept to official business and emergencies only.