ARTICLE XIII. - POLICE DEPARTMENT
Part of the Code of Ordinances of West Warwick, RI.
The text
1301. - Organization.#
There shall be a police department, the head of which shall be the chief of police appointed by the town council upon the recommendation of the town manager. In addition to the chief of police, there shall be such positions as determined from time to time as deemed appropriate and such other subordinate officers, all of the aforesaid serving full-time, as shall from time to time be determined by the town council. They shall hold their respective offices, during good behavior, until vacated by death, resignation, or retirement, or until they shall be removed in accordance with the provisions of this Charter, unless in conflict with any collective bargaining agreement. All members of the force, except the chief of police, shall at the time of their permanent appointment have served for a period of not less than one (1) year in probationary status, during which period they may be removed at any time by the town manager upon recommendation of the chief of police, with or without cause. The further organization of the department into divisions, offices, or grades shall be made by the town council on recommendation of the town manager after conferring with the chief of police. Editor's note— This section was amended by Question 1 approved at the February 8, 1994, Special Election; Question 8 approved at the June 19, 2001, Special Election.
1302. - Police chief qualifications.#
The chief of police shall be a person who has graduated from a recognized college or university with a [bachelor's] degree in law enforcement and/or business management with no less than three (3) years' experience in a supervisory capacity in a law enforcement agency. Editor's note— This section was amended by Question 9 approved at the June 19, 2001, Special Election.
1303. - Powers and duties.#
The police department shall be responsible for the preservation of the public peace, prevention of crime, apprehension of criminals, protection of the rights of persons and property, regulation of traffic, and the enforcement of the laws of the state and the ordinances of the town and rules and regulations in accordance therewith. The chief of police and other members of the department shall have all powers and duties as are vested in such police offices [officers] by the laws of the state and the town ordinances. The chief of police shall be in direct command of the police force and shall, subject to the approval of the town manager, make rules and regulations concerning the operation and management of the police department and shall be responsible for all town property in his or her custody. In the absence or disability of the chief of police, the town council, on recommendation of the town manager after conferring with the chief of police, if possible, shall appoint such officer of the department to assume all the powers and responsibilities and perform all of the duties of the [police] chief. Editor's note— This section was amended by Question 1 approved at the February 8, 1994, Special Election; Question 8 approved at the June 19, 2001, Special Election.