[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Galax as Ch. 13 of the 1974 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Police Department shall consist of as many police officers as the City Council may determine, which officers shall be appointed by and be under the immediate control of the City Manager. The City Manager's control of the police force shall be in accordance with the City Charter provisions setting up this Department.
All police officers appointed by the City Manager shall hold office during good behavior and at the pleasure of the City Manager.
A. 
Each member of the police force shall be invested with all the powers and authority belonging to any police officer or conservator of the peace of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and it shall be the duty of each member of the Police Force to preserve and enforce the criminal laws of the state and the City ordinances.
B. 
It shall be the duty of each member of the police force to use his best endeavors to prevent the commission of crime within the City and to prevent offenses against the laws of the state and City ordinances.
C. 
It shall be the duty of each police officer to detect and arrest offenders against the laws of the state and City ordinances and to preserve the good order of the City and ensure the inhabitants of the City from violence and the property of the citizens therein from injury, and each police officer shall, in all cases except in civil matters, execute such warrants or summonses as may be placed in his hands by any court, judge or officer having authority to direct processes to police officers of the City.
Each member of the police force shall devote his whole time and attention to the business of the Police Department, and although certain hours may be allotted to the respective members for the performance of ordinary duty, they must at all times be prepared to act immediately on notice that their services are required by the proper officer or at the call of any citizen.
Every member of the police force, must endeavor by his constant vigilance to prevent the perpetration of crime within his beat or within the scope of his assignment.
Any police officer may call upon and summon any bystander to assist in making an arrest or in preserving the peace. It shall be the duty of the person so called upon or summoned to render the assistance required.
A. 
The City Manager, in consultation with the Chief of Police, shall prepare rules and regulations, not inconsistent with state law, the Charter, this Code or other ordinance, for the government of the Police Department and the members thereof, including penalties and disciplinary measures for violations, and such rules and regulations, when approved by resolution of the City Council and a copy thereof has been placed on file at police headquarters for the information of all members of the Police Department, shall be applicable within the Police Department, and it shall be unlawful for any member of the Police Department to violate or fail to comply with any such rule or regulation.
B. 
All policemen must acquire a full knowledge of the requirements and the rules and regulations provided for the government of the Police Force, and of the ordinances of the City, in order to understand and properly perform their duties.
A. 
The Chief of Police, under the general supervision of the City Manager, shall be the head of the Police Department and commanding officer of the police force. He shall be responsible for the administration, training, discipline and morale of the police force and for the effective employment thereof to prevent and detect crime within the City and to preserve peace and good order therein, and he shall be responsible for the proper and efficient maintenance and use of the property and equipment of the Police Department.
B. 
The Chief of Police shall not leave the City unless he shall first receive permission to do so from the City Manager. When such permission is granted, or in case of his sickness, he shall designate an officer as Acting Chief of Police during his absence. The foregoing provisions of this subsection shall not apply when it may become necessary to leave the City hurriedly on business directly connected with the Police Department.
The Lieutenants of police must obey promptly all orders of the Chief and note every case of misconduct or neglect of duty on the part of any policeman and report it to the Chief of Police.
The night desk sergeant shall phone, with the least possible delay, all members of the Fire Department who may have left their names and addresses at the station house with the request to be called when there is an alarm.
It shall be the duty of the members of the Police Department to respond to the call of the City Manager and other City officials for any service in the prosecution of their duties.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Sec. 13-12, Attire when on duty, which immediately followed this section, was deleted at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I.
A. 
Each member of the police force must be quiet, civil, courteous and orderly in his deportment and conduct; he must at all times refrain from violent or profane language, and in the performance of his duty he must maintain full command of his temper. When on a tour of duty, policemen must not, except when on duty together, walk or talk with each other or with any other person whom they meet on any part of their beats unless it is to receive or communicate information appertaining to their duties or to answer civilly, but briefly, questions of strangers or citizens requiring their assistance or direction. They must not under any circumstances, unless in the discharge of their duties, enter any house, sit down, stop at the corners of the streets for a longer period than 10 minutes or in any manner linger along their routes but are expected constantly to patrol their beats.
B. 
No policeman shall leave the beat assigned to him unless to answer a call from adjoining beat, to convey a prisoner to the station house or by permission of the Chief or Lieutenant.
A. 
A police officer arresting any person for a misdemeanor or violation of a City ordinance may, in his discretion, instead of bringing such person to the station house, take the name and address of such person and deliver to the person a summons, in writing, to appear, at a time to be specified in such summons, before the judge of the court having jurisdiction in the premises and, upon taking from such person a promise, in writing, to appear at such time and place, shall release him from custody, and it shall be unlawful for such person willfully to violate such promise to appear.
B. 
Any person refusing to give such written promise to appear shall be taken to the station house.
Any person who is arrested or summoned to appear before a court, judge or officer having jurisdiction in the premises shall, upon request of any police officer, disclose his name and address, and it shall be unlawful for any person, so requested by a police officer, to give a false name or address.
A. 
Every policeman must thoroughly acquaint himself with all streets, courts and buildings within his beat and, so far as practicable, seek to recognize all persons residing therein.
B. 
Every policeman must strictly watch the conduct of all persons of bad character in such manner that it will not be evident to them that they are being watched, fixing in his mind such impressions as will enable him to recognize persons whom he frequently meets in the streets at night and, to the utmost of his power, prevent the commission of assaults, breaches of peace and other crimes about to be committed.
C. 
Every policeman must inspect every part of his beat during his tour of duty and carefully examine all doors and low windows of business houses to see that they are properly fastened.
D. 
Policemen shall take particular notice of all automobiles and other vehicles at night and all persons who, under any circumstances, excite suspicion.
Every policeman must give his name and number to all persons who may inquire.
Every policeman shall keep a diary or book, in which shall be noted by him, for report at the station house; first, the doors or entrances of all stores or business houses that he may find open during the nighttime; second, all nuisances on his beat that should be removed promptly; third, all violations of the City ordinances, the name of offenders, witnesses, etc.; fourth, all street electric lights not burning, the length of time out, if possible, and their location. All such information they shall report daily, in writing, to the officer in charge at the station house.
Policemen, when on duty in plain clothes, are to make known to any person interfering with them in the execution of their duty that they are policemen; they must exercise their discretion as to the time of making such communication so as not to interfere with the object they have in view, so that if assaulted or interfered with the assailant cannot plead ignorance of the officer's real character.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Sec. 13-24, Accountable for equipment, and Sec. 13-25, Interest in outside business, which immediately followed this section were deleted at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I.
Every policeman shall exercise the right of a citizen unquestioned at all elections, but no member of the Police Department shall take an active part therein or in the political advancement of any party, clique, combination or individual.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Sec. 13-27, Personal finances, which immediately followed this section, was deleted at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I.