[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township
of North Versailles as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 3-13-1937 by Ord. No. 119 (Ch. 1, Part 6A, of the
1987 Code of Ordinances)]
A police force is hereby created and established, and designated
as the Police Department in and for the Township of North Versailles.
The powers of policemen constituting said police force are that:
A.Â
They shall be ex officio constables of the Township and may, without
warrant and on view, arrest and commit for hearing any and all persons
guilty of a breach of the peace, vagrancy, riotous or disorderly conduct,
or drunkenness, or who may be engaged in the commission of any unlawful
act tending to imperil the personal security or endanger the property
of the citizens, or violating any of the ordinances, of the Township
for the violation of which a fine or penalty is imposed;
B.Â
They shall have authority to issue and execute all criminal process
for the violation of the Township ordinances, which may be issued
by a Magisterial District Judge of the Township of North Versailles;
C.Â
They shall charge the same fees and costs as pertain by law to constables
for similar services, but such fees and costs shall be paid to the
Township Treasurer for the use of the Township.
Said police force or Police Department shall consist of one
or more policemen to be appointed and designated by the Board of Township
Commissioners as the Chief of Police, and other police officers as
the Board of Commissioners shall designate from time to time who shall
serve until their successors are duly designated and qualified.
The salaries of such policemen are to be fixed and provided
for under the budget ordinance; and are to be payable semimonthly,
with no additional fees or compensation thereto, excepting public
rewards and the expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties.
A.Â
The Township police, when on duty, shall wear a badge or shield with
the words "North Versailles Township Police" inscribed thereon, to
be provided by the Township of North Versailles, which is to remain
the property of said Township.
B.Â
The Chief of Police and other members of police force shall obey
the orders of the Board of Township Commissioners issued through the
Police Committee.
C.Â
The Board of Township Commissioners are to prescribe all necessary
rules and regulations for the organization of the police force or
Police Department of the Township.
D.Â
The President of the Board of Township Commissioners is empowered
to appoint a Police Committee of three members, to remove any of said
committee members, and to fill any vacancies occurring therein; to
designate the Chairman thereof; said committee shall have the power
and duty of superintendence and jurisdiction of all matters pertaining
to the Township police.
[Adopted 2-22-1993 by Ord. No. 916 (Ch. 1, Part 3C, of the
1987 Code of Ordinances)]
There is hereby created a North Versailles Police Review Board,
hereinafter referred to as "Board."
The purpose of the Board shall be to investigate and review
conduct, allegations of conduct, allegations of misconduct or any
other police problems which are submitted it. The Board shall have
the authority and power to interview witnesses and to conduct informal
hearings dealing with all personnel matters and complaints regarding
North Versailles Township Police. The Board shall have the same authority
to investigate and subpoena witnesses in dealing with police and police
problems as would the Board of Commissioners or any other committee
or office thereof. The Board shall be deemed to be a duly authorized
arm of the North Versailles Township Board of Commissioners.
The Board shall meet and consider police personnel problems
when called to do so by the Chairperson of the Police Review Board,
the Township Board of Commissioners, the Township Police Committee
or the President of the Township Board of Commissioners.
When called upon to meet, the Police Review Board will gather
data, interview witnesses, obtain statements and undertake such other
activity in its discretion that it deems to be reasonable under the
circumstances in order to form a factual basis regarding any allegations
or problems. The North Versailles Township Police and all North Versailles
Township employees will have the same duty to cooperate and report
to the Board as he or she would have to report to the Board of Commissioners
or any authorized committee of North Versailles Township.
Thereupon, the Board will report to the Board of Commissioners,
the President or Police Committee, as the case may be, and recommend
what action should or should not be taken. The report and opinions
of the Board are advisory only.
The Board shall be composed of three individuals, one of whom
will be designated by the Township Board of Commissioners as Chairman
of the Board. Each member shall serve at will and shall receive no
remuneration except such remuneration as he or she may receive in
the regular course of their duties and functions for North Versailles
Township. The Board shall meet from time to time at times and places
as selected by the Chairman at the request of either the Chairman
of the Board, the Police Committee of the Township, the Board of Township
Commissioners or President of North Versailles Township.
