§ 3-2-1302. CHIEF OF POLICE.

(a)

County Executive to appoint. The County Executive shall appoint the Chief of Police as provided in § 402 of the Charter.

(b)

Qualifications of the Chief.

(1)

In order to be appointed Chief of Police, an individual shall have the integrity and professional and administrative qualifications for the performance of the duties of the office including:

(i)

At least 5 years of experience in a management position in the criminal justice system; and

(ii)

Thorough familiarity with modern police operational and procedural methods.

(2)

At the time of appointment, the appointee is not required to be a resident of the county or the state, but during tenure of office, the Chief shall reside within the county.

(c)

Conditions of service and vacancy.

(1)

The Chief of Police shall devote full time to the duties of office and shall receive an annual salary as provided in the budget.

(2)

The County Executive shall fill a vacancy in the office of the Chief of Police by appointment as provided in the Charter and the provisions of this subtitle.

(d)

Powers and duties of the Chief - Generally.

(1)

The Chief of Police:

(i)

Is the director of the Department;

(ii)

Shall take the necessary measures to ensure prompt and vigorous enforcement of all criminal statutes, ordinances, and regulations, the enforcement of which comes properly within the scope of the police function and power; and

(iii)

Is responsible for all matters relating to the administration and operation of the Department and the appointment, training, assignment, promotion, and disciplining of members of the Department.

(2)

An order to the Police Department shall be directed through the Chief or an official acting in the absence of the Chief.

(e)

Same - Enumerated. The Chief of Police shall have the arrest powers granted to police officers and shall:

(1)

Determine and establish the form of organization of the Department and its subdivisions, and define the functions, duties, and responsibilities of each subdivision;

(2)

Assign and allocate members of the Department to duties and to organizational subdivisions of the Department that in the Chief's judgment are necessary to serve the interests of the public and the Department;

(3)

Determine and establish classifications of ranks, grades, and positions for police officers within the Department as the Chief considers appropriate in accordance with the county personnel law;

(4)

Prescribe the uniform insignia for all ranks of police officers;

(5)

Define and designate the authority, responsibility, duties, assignments, rights, and privileges for each rank, grade, or position;

(6)

Establish the order of succession to positions of command within the Department;

(7)

Determine and establish necessary and appropriate classified service ranks within the Department for nonsworn employees in the manner prescribed by law;

(8)

Appoint, promote, reduce in rank, grade, or position, reassign, reclassify, retire, and discharge all members of the Department in the manner prescribed by law;

(9)

Regulate attendance, conduct, training, discipline, and procedure for all members of the Department;

(10)

Adopt rules, regulations, and orders necessary for the good government and proper performance of the Department and its members;

(11)

Make a copy of the rules, regulations, and orders of the Department available to all members of the Department;

(12)

Institute a system of periodic performance evaluation for all members of the Department;

(13)

Establish procedures that do not conflict with state or county law for disciplining members charged with violating rules, regulations, and orders of the Department;

(14)

Accept, hold, control, maintain, and dispose of property, equipment, facilities, and premises necessary to the operation of the Department in a manner authorized by law;

(15)

Establish and modify systems for the reception, processing, and maintenance of reports and records of:

(i)

Occurrences or alleged occurrences of crime in the county; and

(ii)

The administration, management, and operations of the Department;

(16)

Suspend, amend, rescind, abrogate, or cancel a rule, regulation, order, or other department directive adopted by the Chief or by a former chief and adopt all other reasonable rules, regulations, and orders considered necessary to enable the Department to effectively discharge the duties imposed on it by this subtitle and Article 19 of the Code; and

(17)

Enter into agreements and cooperate with volunteer civilian organizations for the purpose of assisting the Department in preserving the public peace and safety.

(1988 Code, §§ 27-2, 27-3) (Bill No. 31-99, § 3, 7-1-2004)