[Adopted 7-25-1990]
The provisions of the ordinance adopted at a
Special Town Meeting on August 9, 1985, respecting the creation of
a Police Advisory Commission for the Town of Colchester are herewith
repealed.
Pursuant to the authority granted in C.G.S.
§ 7-274, a Board of Police Commissioners for the Town of
Colchester is herewith established.
The Commission shall consist of five members
who shall be electors of the town and shall be appointed by the Board
of Selectmen for terms of three years; provided, however, that two
of the original appointees shall be appointed to a term of two years,
and the remaining appointee shall be appointed to a term of three
years.
A.
The Commission shall have the authority and responsibility
for the general supervision and management of the Constables and police
officers of the Town of Colchester and the property and equipment
used in connection therewith.
B.
As used herein, the term "Constables" shall mean all
Constables serving the Town of Colchester in any capacity, whether
appointed pursuant to town ordinance as authorized by C.G.S. §§ 9-185
and 9-200 or pursuant to C.G.S. § 7-92 providing for the
appointment of Special Constables. The term "police officer" shall
mean all full-time town employees hired by the Town of Colchester
to serve in the capacity of a police officer.
During the period of time the Town of Colchester
is obligated to contractual agreements for the services of a Resident
Trooper with the Connecticut Department of Public Safety, Division
of State Police, a member of the Commission, being duly elected by
the majority of the Commission, and appointed by the Board of Selectmen,
will serve as a liaison officer for the Town of Colchester (this Commission
and Board of Selectmen), to the Department of Public Safety, Division
of State Police, for all responsibilities relative to the contractual
agreement references to the Chief Executive Officer of the Town of
Colchester.
[Amended 4-12-2001]
The Commission, pursuant to the authority granted
in C.G.S. § 7-276, shall have the sole power of appointment,
promotion and removal of the police officers under such regulation
as it adopts for the purpose, and such appointees shall hold office
during good behavior and until removed for cause upon written charges
and after a hearing.
[Amended 4-12-2001]
The Commission shall make all needful regulations
for the conduct and operation of the Constables and police officers;
provided, however, that such regulations shall not be contrary to
law and may prescribe suitable penalties for the violation of any
such regulation, including suspension or removal from office of any
Constable, police officer or member.
Upon receipt of a complaint as to the activities
of any Constable, the Commission shall undertake such investigation
as it considers appropriate and, upon the conclusion thereof, make
such recommendation to the First Selectman as it deems to be in the
best interest of the Town of Colchester concerning suitable action
with respect to suspension and or removal from office. In making such
investigation, the Commission may, in its discretion, conduct formal
or informal hearings.
Pursuant to C.G.S. § 7-275, the Commission
shall elect one of its number to be Chair and one to be clerk and
shall hold regular meetings and keep records of the same. Meetings
shall be held upon the call of the Chair or of the majority of the
members on the Board. A majority of all members of the Board shall
constitute a quorum. In the event of any vacancy upon the Board, the
Board of Selectmen shall have the authority by majority vote to fill
such vacancy until the expiration of the term.
Commissioners shall be sworn to the faithful
performance of their duties and shall serve without compensation,
but their actual expenses and disbursements incurred in the performance
of their duties shall be paid from the town treasury.
None of the provisions of this article shall
be construed to affect the authority of the First Selectman with respect
to those Special Constables appointed pursuant to C.G.S. § 7-92
for a set term of office related to a particular public celebration,
gathering, riot or unusual excitement or pursuant to the provisions
of said statute.
Whenever there shall be a vacancy in the office
of Constable or police officer, any person who desires to be considered
for appointment as a Constable or police officer shall submit an application
to the Commission. The Commission shall review all applications submitted
to it, provide the required testing procedures as determined by the
Commission and make such recommendations to the first Selectman concerning
such applicants for the position of Constable as it may deem necessary
in the best interests of the Town of Colchester. The Commission shall
retain its sole power of appointment of police officers and will recommend
the appointment of a Constable to the First Selectman pursuant to
the town ordinance concerning appointment of Constables and or Special
Constables as provided for in C.G.S. § 7-92.
To the extent permitted by law, the enactment
of this article shall serve as formal authorization for the transfer
of the funds allocated in the 1989-1990 town budget for the operation
of the Colchester Police Advisory Commission, constabulary and or
police department to the Colchester Board of Police Commissioners
established by this article.
