The Chief of Police will have the power and
authority to establish Departmental policies, procedures, rules and
regulations governing the Police Department, reserving the right to
alter, amend, revoke or add to such rules and regulations as, from
time to time, the good of the service of the permanent Police Department
may require.
These rules shall be carefully read and strictly
observed by every member of the Police Department.
A.
All payrolls for salaries of the permanent Police
Department for services of the preceding two weeks shall be certified
to the Town Treasurer for payment on the 15th and 30th of the month.
B.
All bills for expenditures for the permanent Police
Department shall, so far as practicable, be payable as stated in this
section, and shall be certified to the Town Treasurer three days before
such dates.
C.
Unless otherwise ordered by the Town Council, the
officers and employees of the Police Department shall be paid semimonthly
for their services at the rates prescribed by Council subject to conditions
and deductions provided for in this section.
D.
The salary and pay of police officers shall be paid
to each person entitled thereto, in accordance with prescribed rules
and regulations, subject, however, to deductions for lost or sick
time, and such deductions as shall be made to satisfy fines imposed
on any member by way of discipline or punishment.
The Police Department shall maintain written policies that identify
and articulate the rules and regulations of the Police Department
as determined by the Chief of Police. There shall be specific policies
that guide personnel with regards to:
The Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights
outlines various rights and responsibilities of the appointing authority,
Chief of Police, and law enforcement officers in a variety of situations.
Specific attention should be paid in the following provisions regarding
the disciplinary powers of the Chief of Police. The provisions of
this act are not intended to prohibit summary punishment by the Chief
or the highest ranking officer of the law enforcement agency.
A.
Summary punishment of two days' suspension without
pay may be imposed for minor violations of Departmental rules and
regulations when the facts which constitute the minor violation are
not in dispute. If the aggrieved officer believes the punishment of
the Chief or the highest ranking officer of the law enforcement agency
is unreasonable, he may appeal such punishment directly through the
provisions of this subtitle.
B.
Emergency suspension may be imposed by the Chief or
the highest ranking officer of the law enforcement agency, when it
appears that such action is in the best interest of the public. Any
emergency suspension of any law enforcement officer shall consist
of the law enforcement officer being relieved of duty and he shall
receive all ordinary pay and benefits, as he would have, if he were
not suspended. Any such law enforcement officer so suspended shall
be entitled to a prompt hearing before a hearing committee upon his
request. The time period for said hearing is not to exceed fourteen
days. If, after hearing, the hearing committee does suspend or dismiss
the law enforcement officer, he shall not be entitled to his pay and
benefits; however, if the enforcement officer is reinstated by a subsequent
hearing, he shall be entitled to be reimbursed for all salary and
benefits that have not been paid.
