Sec. 38-24. - Qualifications for appointment to chief of police.

(a)

The chief of police of the town, before being appointed to such office, shall possess the following qualifications:

(1)

Five years of experience in the rank of lieutenant or above in any full-time organized police department in the United States.

(2)

Five years of experience in the organization, management, and direction of police personnel.

(3)

A bachelor's degree or above, including at least 30 credit hours of college-level courses relating to law enforcement. Alternatively, with the approval of the town manager, the chief of police may satisfy the requirements set forth herein based upon significant law enforcement experience and based upon enrollment in a college program for a bachelor's degree which shall, unless extended due to extenuating circumstances relating to course availability or schedules, be achieved not later than 24 months after the individual's appointment as chief of police.

(4)

Successful completion of a complete physical and psychological examination at a facility recommended by the town.

(b)

Except in the case of the appointment of the deputy chief to the position of chief of police, the appointment of a chief of police shall be in accordance with the following provisions:

(1)

The vacancy in the office of chief of police shall be advertised in a newspaper with statewide daily circulations;

(2)

The vacancy shall be posted for a minimum of 21 days;

(3)

The town manager shall appoint a screening committee of at least five members who shall review the qualifications of the candidates and recommend the top five qualifiers to the town manager. The town manager shall review the qualifications of and interview the top five qualifiers.

(c)

The appointment of the chief of police shall be either the deputy chief or, if a screening committee is appointed in accordance with subsection (b) hereof, then from among the top five qualifiers of the candidates by the town manager with the advice and consent of the town council. Advice and consent of the town council shall be exercised by a vote of the town council occurring at a public meeting of the town council which has been properly posted in accordance with the open meetings law.

(d) Reserved.

(e)

Every appointment of a chief of police made under the provisions of this section shall be considered a permanent appointment, subject, however, to the provisions of removal and retirement provided for by the Charter and ordinances of the town.

(Ch. 819, §§ 1—5, 6-17-2002; Ch. 886, §§ 1—3, 7-2-2007; Ch. 933, § 1, 8-2-2010)

Editor's note— Ch. 886, § 3, adopted July 2, 2007, repealed subsection (d) which pertained to residency requirements for chief of police.

Charter reference— Appointment of the police chief, § 8-2-2.