The text
Footnotes:
--- (1) --- Cross reference— Officers and employees, § 2-136 et seq.; indemnification of public officers and employees, § 2-151 et seq.; purchasing procedure, § 2-196 et seq.; traffic and motor vehicles, Ch. 20.
State Law reference— Sergeants and constables, G.L. 1956, § 45-16-1 et seq.
ARTICLE I. - IN GENERAL#
Secs. 14-1—14-25. - Reserved.#
ARTICLE II. - POLICE COMMISSION#
Footnotes:
--- (2) --- Cross reference— Boards, committees, commissions, § 2-26 et seq.
Sec. 14-26. - Membership; terms; qualifications.#
The police commission shall consist of three (3) members appointed by the town council for a term of three (3) years. The members shall be residents of the town.
Sec. 14-27. - Meetings.#
The police commission will meet at least once a month with the chief of police and at least once a month to conduct police commission business pertinent to accomplishment of its assigned duties as set forth in these regulations pertaining to the police commission.
(Ch. 50, Art. I, § 7, 7-2-79)
Sec. 14-28. - Scope of authority.#
(a)
The police commission will be the supervisory arm of the police department, acting as appointed representatives of the town council and subordinate to the town council in all police matters.
(b)
The police commission will accept recommendations from the chief of police in matters of budget and financial affairs, choice of officers in the police department and short-and long-range goals of the department. In turn, the police commission will refer its recommendations on these matters to the town council for its information and action, if deemed necessary by the town council.
(Ch. 50, Art. I, § 2, 7-2-79)
Sec. 14-29. - General goal.#
The police commission will strive for the implementation of a full-time police force, within the confines of budgetary considerations and immediate and long-range needs of the town.
(Ch. 50, Art. I, § 3, 7-2-79)
Sec. 14-30. - Long-range program.#
The police commission will develop a long-range program for the improvement of police service. It will review the annual work program (in terms of manpower, equipment and supplies needed for its accomplishment) with the chief of police and submit recommendations to the town council.
(Ch. 50, Art. I, § 4, 7-2-79)
Sec. 14-31. - Training program.#
The police commission will be responsible for the operation of a continuing training program, which will include the initial training of officers and regular in-service training and a reserve training division, all with the cooperation of the chief of police.
(Ch. 50, Art. I, § 5, 7-2-79)
Sec. 14-32. - Public relations activities.#
The police commission will be an advocate for public safety and for excellence in police effectiveness in the town. The police commission will maintain favorable relations between the public and the police department through effective use of local media and any other public relations tools it deems necessary for the accomplishment of a favorable atmosphere for the police department.
(Ch. 50, Art. I, § 6, 7-2-79)
Sec. 14-33. - Liaison with council.#
The police commission will maintain at all times an open avenue of communications with the town council's designated liaison member. This liaison member shall be an ex officio member of the police commission.
(Ch. 50, Art. I, § 8, 7-2-79)
Sec. 14-34. - Hearings upon complaints.#
The police commission will listen to complaints concerning the police department from the town council, from the general public and from personnel within the police department.
(Ch. 50, Art. I, § 9, 7-2-79)
Sec. 14-35. - Monthly report.#
The police commission will submit monthly to the town council a summary report of the previous month's activities of the police department. The report will include any minor variances from routine police department procedures, any personnel changes and any minor department problems involving policies, procedures or personnel.
(Ch. 50, Art. I, § 10, 7-2-79)
Sec. 14-36. - Report of certain matters.#
The police commission will report within seven (7) days to the town council any incident that could involve the town in legal matters, any changes in departmental personnel holding the rank of sergeant or higher, and any circumstances involving other than routine discussion with and action from the town council.
(Ch. 50, Art. I, § 11, 7-2-79)
Sec. 14-37. - Annual report to council.#
The police commission will submit to the town council an annual report of the police commission's activities, accomplishments and problems. The police commission will assess its effectiveness and include in the report a justification for renewal of the authorities and responsibilities delegated to it by the town council. This report will be presented to the town council no earlier than the regular meeting of the town council in November and no later than the regular meeting of the town council in December of each year.
(Ch. 50, Art. I, § 12, 7-2-79)
Secs. 14-38—14-55. - Reserved.#
ARTICLE III. - POLICE CHIEF#
Footnotes:
--- (3) --- Cross reference— Officers and employees, § 2-136 et seq.; personnel, Ch. 13.
Sec. 14-56. - Appointment, head of department.#
The chief of police shall be appointed by the town council, following screening and recommendations from the police commission. The chief shall be the administrative and executive head of the department with all of the powers and privileges conferred upon him by statutes, ordinances and regulations.
(Ch. 50, Art. II, § 2, 7-2-79)
Sec. 14-57. - Authority.#
The chief of police shall have the authority to promulgate such orders to the employees of the police department as he may deem proper, and all orders shall conform to the law. All orders remain in full force and effect until rescinded.
(Ch. 50, Art. II, § 3, 7-2-79)
Sec. 14-58. - Functions.#
The chief of police shall be responsible for the following to facilitate the accomplishment of the police mission: (1)
Recommend to the police commission all budgetary appropriations.
(2)
Provide essential equipment and supplies.
(3)
Prepare members for the accomplishment of their tasks.
(4)
Maintain building and equipment in suitable order.
(5)
Plan the use of police resources to meet needs most effectively.
(6)
Inform the police commission of police policies, procedures and problems.
(7)
Control department expenditures and property.
(8)
Formulate police policies.
(Ch. 50, Art. II, § 4, 7-2-79)
Sec. 14-59. - Planning.#
(a)
The chief of police shall predict the nature of probable emergencies and formulate procedures to be used in the event such emergencies occur.
(b)
The chief of police shall prepare annual budget estimates for the police department. This estimate shall be forwarded to the police commission to be used in preparing the police budget that will, in turn, be submitted to the town council by the police commission.
(c)
The chief of police is responsible for the preparation of record forms and for daily, monthly and annual reports. Copies of reports by the chief of police shall be forwarded to the police commission monthly and annually.
(Ch. 50, Art. II, § 5, 7-2-79)
Sec. 14-60. - Staffing.#
(a)
The chief of police shall recommend to the police commission his choice of officers in the department.
(b)
The chief of police shall establish, with the police commission, a training program for all employees of the police department.
(c)
The chief of police shall delegate to his commanding officers an authority commensurate with their responsibilities. The chief of police shall give them full authority, within the restrictions imposed upon him by higher authority, to direct and discipline the subordinates under their command.
(d)
The chief of police shall directly supervise his officers and coordinate all departmental functions and activities through them.
(e)
The chief of police shall insist that police business be transacted through official channels.
(Ch. 50, Art. II, § 6, 7-2-79)
Sec. 14-61. - Discipline.#
The chief of police shall maintain strict discipline throughout the entire department. The chief is responsible for the strict enforcement of the police department rules and regulations and for the satisfactory conduct and general behavior of police officers and civilian employees. The chief shall require them to give close attention to their duties and to conform to department procedures.
(Ch. 50, Art. II, § 7, 7-2-79)
Sec. 14-62. - Public relations.#
(a)
The chief of police shall represent the police department in all external relations, including contacts with other public officials and law enforcement agencies.
(b)
The chief of police shall create and maintain favorable relations between the public and police and shall, for the guidance of the members of the police department, establish with the police commission basic policies governing the various phases of public relations.
(Ch. 50, Art. II, § 8, 7-2-79)
Sec. 14-63. - Reporting.#
(a)
The chief of police shall confer with the police commission before taking any of the following actions:
(1)
Make important changes in key positions.
(2)
Make important changes in the organization of the force.
(3)
Make important changes in operative procedures.
(4)
Leave town for a longer period than one (1) week.
(b)
The chief of police shall report within twenty-four (24) hours to the police commission any of the following incidents:
(1)
The suspension of a member or civilian employee of the police department.
(2)
Death of any member.
(3)
Injury in the line of duty of any member.
(4)
Injury of any person in consequence of any police action.
(5)
Damage to police vehicles or other police property.
(6)
Damage of public or private property (other than police property) in consequence of any police action.
(7)
Unusual occurrences and crimes.
(8)
Serious complaints by private persons or subordinate officers against members of the department or its operation, and the results of the investigation thereof.
(Ch. 50, Art. II, § 9, 7-2-79)
Secs. 14-64—14-80. - Reserved.#
Sec. 14-81. - General organization, suspension.#
The town council may appoint at any regular or special meeting as a permanent police force, such police officers, including a chief of police and such police lieutenants as are necessary, for service in the town as by ordinance the council may from time to time determine. The members of the force shall hold their respective offices for a period of one (1) year, except as hereinafter provided. The town council may increase or diminish the number of such police officers wherever and as often as the electors of the town qualified to vote on any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money shall, at an annual financial town meeting, vote that the number of such police officers shall be increased or diminished and shall appropriate the necessary funds therefor. The town council or the president of the town council may at any time suspend any officer until the next regular meeting of the council at which meeting the president shall report any and all suspensions, with the reasons therefor, and the council may continue such suspension until the regular meeting following. Any of the police officers so appointed, including the chief of police, shall be subject to reduction in rank or to removal from office by the council at any regular meeting thereof for misconduct, incapacity, neglect of duty or insubordination of such a character as the council may deem a disqualification for such office. All such reductions or removals shall be by the council upon charges made in writing, if requested by any such officer, and of which the officer complained of shall have notice and opportunity at a time appointed by the council to be heard thereon. Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to any police officer or constable other than the members of the permanent police force of the town.
(Ch. 37, § 2, 4-7-75)
Sec. 14-82. - Enabling procedures.#
The town council may enact such ordinances and may make such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary and proper to carry out the provisions of this article.
(Ch. 37, § 3, 4-7-75)
Sec. 14-83. - General authority of officers.#
The chief of police, police lieutenants and other police officers of the permanent police force shall have the power and authority conferred by law upon police constables, but shall not be required to give bond, nor shall they be authorized to serve process in civil actions. Every such officer in the due execution of his office may command all necessary aid and assistance in the execution of his office, and every person who, when so required, shall refuse or neglect to give such aid and assistance shall be fined not exceeding twenty dollars ($20.00).
(Ch. 37, § 5, 4-7-75)
Sec. 14-84. - Complaints by lieutenants.#
Whenever any police lieutenant of the town shall make a complaint against any person for any criminal offense committed in the town, such police lieutenant shall not be required to give surety, but shall give his personal recognizance and be liable in his individual capacity therefor.
(Ch. 37, § 6, 4-7-75)