ARTICLE XV. - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Section 15.01. - Organization.#

There shall be a Department of Public Safety, the head of which shall be the Director of Public Safety, who shall be the Manager, or someone appointed by the Manager with the approval of the Town Council.

Section 15.02. - Restriction.#

The Director of Public Safety shall not occupy any of the subordinate positions within the Department of Public Safety.

Section 15.03. - Responsibility.#

The Director of Public Safety, subject to the supervision of the Manager, shall be responsible for the efficient operation of the services of said department.

Section 15.04. - Divisions.#

Within the Department of Public Safety there shall be divisions known as the Police Department and Emergency Management.

Section 15.05. - Administration.#

The Director of Public Safety shall be responsible for the administration and discipline of the aforesaid divisions and for the enforcement and execution of all laws and ordinances and of the rules and regulations of said division.

Section 15.06. - Police Department Organization.#

There shall be a Police Department, the head of which shall be a Chief of Police. In addition to Chief of Police, there shall be such other subordinate officers and patrolmen as shall from time to time be determined by the Town Council. Said chief, subordinate officers and patrolmen subject to such probationary requirements as may hereinafter be set forth, shall constitute the permanent Police Department of the Town. Said Department may be organized into such divisions as shall be from time to time required by the Town Council to include the Animal Control Division.

Section 15.07. - Appointment of the Chief of Police.#

The Chief of Police shall be appointed by the Town Manager with the approval of the Town Council. The Chief of Police shall have at least five (5) years experience in any certified Law Enforcement Agency, and have expertise in the organization, administration, management and direction of Law Enforcement personnel, and shall possess such other qualifications as the Town Council may prescribe by ordinance.

Section 15.08. - Appointment and Promotion of Subordinate Officers and Patrolmen.#

All police officers on the permanent Police Department below the rank of chief of police, shall be appointed or promoted, as the case may be, by the Director of Public Safety, upon the recommendation of the Chief and the Personnel Board, provided they shall have satisfactorily passed such qualifying tests as the Personnel Board shall have prescribed.

Section 15.09. - Causes for Removal or Disciplinary Action.#

It shall be the duty of the Director of Public Safety to prepare rules and regulations for the conduct of all members of the Police Department, including appropriate penalties for their violation which, when approved by the Town Council by resolution, shall have the force of law, shall be the basis for removals and suspensions and other disciplinary action as provided therein. Changes in such rules and regulations shall be made from time to time in the same manner.

Section 15.10. - Interference with Chief of Police.#

No member of the Town Council and no member of the administrative department of the Town shall interfere or attempt to interfere directly or indirectly with the performance of duties by the Chief of Police, provided nevertheless, that nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the Director of Public Safety from exercising general supervision over the Police Department and its affairs or to prevent the Town Council from making any investigation of said Department authorized by the provisions of this Charter.

Section 15.11. - Director of Emergency Management.#

There shall be a Director of Emergency Management appointed by the Town Manager.

Section 15.12. - Powers and Duties.#

The Director of Emergency Management shall: A.

Prepare a comprehensive plan for the utilization of town facilities, equipment and personnel during any emergency.

B.

Equip and maintain an emergency communications center.

C.

Assist the Town Council President in any declared emergency.

D.

Be the liaison with the State office of civil preparedness.

E.

Perform any other duties or functions as the Town Council may direct by ordinance or during any emergency as the Town Council President may direct.