[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Wells 2-4-2021. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known and may be cited and referred to as the "Police Ordinance of the Town of Wells" authorized under 30-A M.R.S.A. § 2671.
It is the intent and purpose of this chapter to formally establish the Police Department and its powers under applicable state law and outline jurisdictional and prosecution authority.
The head of the department shall be the Chief of Police, who shall be appointed by the Town Manager and have the following duties and responsibilities:
A. 
Oversee the efficient operation of the department.
B. 
Oversee the enforcement of all law enforcement operations (state law and/or Town ordinance) under the jurisdiction of his/her department.
C. 
Making of all rules and regulations for the proper operation of the department.
D. 
Perform any other duties incumbent upon him/her by law, ordinance or by the direction of the Town Manager.
E. 
Make recommendations to the Town Manager for the hiring of police personnel.
A. 
The Police Department jurisdiction falls within the boundaries of the Town of Wells. It is authorized to perform all law enforcement functions within the Town of Wells in accordance with 30-A M.R.S.A. §§ 2671(2) and 2674. It is also permitted to exercise jurisdiction beyond the limits of the Town of Wells to the extent specifically authorized in 30-A M.R.S.A. §§ 2671(2) and 2674.
B. 
Additionally, Wells police officers are authorized to perform the following acts outside the Town limits:
(1) 
Arrest without a warrant a person who has committed in the officer's presence or is committing in the officer's presence a Class A, B, or C crime defined in 17-A M.R.S.A. Chs. 9, 11, 13, 17, 27, or 33, as amended, while the officer is on or off duty; or
(2) 
Arrest without a warrant a person for a crime committed in the Town:
(a) 
If the arrest is made as part of an ongoing criminal investigation made by an officer while on duty and assigned to the investigation;
(b) 
If the law enforcement agency of a foreign municipality in which the arrest is to be made is notified in advance; and
(c) 
If the arrest is authorized by 17-A M.R.S.A. § 15, Subsection 1, Paragraph A, as amended. As used in this section, the phrase "committed in the officer's presence or is committing in the officer's presence" has the same meaning as provided in 17-A M.R.S.A. § 15, Subsection 2, as amended.
A. 
In accordance with the authority granted in 30-A M.R.S.A. § 2671(3), the Board of Selectmen does hereby delegate its power to the Chief of Police to authorize certain law enforcement officers to represent the Town in District or Superior Court in the prosecution of alleged violations of ordinances which the officers may enforce.
B. 
Only those law enforcement officers who are certified by the Maine Criminal Justice Academy under 25 M.R.S.A. § 2803-A, Subsection 1, may represent the Town of Wells under the provisions of this section. The authority and assignment of law enforcement officers hereunder shall be the responsibility of the Chief of Police. The Town Attorney shall be provided at least seven days prior to hearing with a listing of all docketed matters citing the specific ordinances involved.