§ 22-3. Duties and responsibilities of police department personnel.

(a)

General duty responsibilities of officers:

(1)

Police officers are considered at all times to be on duty, or subject to call for duty by proper authority or, when in the town limits, by citizens in trouble. The fact that they may be temporarily off duty or on leave does not preclude them from the responsibility of taking proper police action in any matter coming to their attention requiring such action.

(2)

Except for the chief of police, officers shall be assigned recurring work periods by the chief with approval of the town administrator. The chief of police, with the town administrator's approval, may modify such schedules and provide otherwise for special duty for reasons they deem necessary for effective and efficient operation of the department.

(b)

Responsibilities of chief of police: The chief of police is the general executive and administrative officer of the Cheverly police department, and shall:

(1)

Be fully responsible for its operations, including efficient conduct, control and discipline of the force, subject to the policies, orders, rules and regulations approved by the mayor and council, or the town administrator. When the chief is on leave of absence, suspension, or the position is vacant, the town administrator will name an acting chief of police, who will assume the responsibilities of the chief during such absence or vacancy.

(2)

Shall take such measures as will insure prompt and vigorous enforcement of all criminal statutes, laws, regulations and ordinances applicable to the Town of Cheverly.

(3)

Issue orders, rules and regulations necessary to administer the department and not inconsistent with policies, orders, rules and regulations approved by the mayor and council or town administrator.

(4)

Establish standards of performance and efficiency for all police operations, and will take steps to assure that such standards are maintained through periodic personal observation, and reports of performance and efficiency which will be made available to the town administrator and the mayor and town council upon request.

(5)

Be responsible for the training and refresher training of officers so as to develop and maintain their professional competence. The chief shall provide for specialized training and improvement of probationary officers, and shall report regularly and no less than every six (6) months to the town administrator on the performance evaluation of each probationary officer.

(6)

Be responsible for exacting from all members of the department strict obedience to the rules of conduct laid down for officers, and for taking prompt action in administering the discipline prescribed for violations of such rules.

(7)

Proceed immediately to the scene of any riot, tumultuous assembly, dangerous barricade, police officer in trouble, firearms discharge by a police officer, or other unusual occurrence indicating danger to the community, and take command of the police force.

(8)

Be the custodian of all property coming into the possession of the department and shall be accountable for the same, including safekeeping, proper disposition and maintenance of appropriate property records. The chief shall see that all property used for evidence is returned to its lawful owner when no longer needed as evidence.

(9)

Periodically inspect all public places within the town, including public rights-of-way, parks and alleys; the means of entrance and exit to schools and churches; and the quantity, flow and control of traffic for the purpose of assuring public safety. The chief shall develop programs for and shall promote public safety throughout the town, including meeting with public, private, business, school and other community groups and individuals to advance community confidence and support in police and public safety programs.

(10)

Analyze data concerning crime, traffic accidents and other incidents, and otherwise keep abreast of needs and opportunities for new or improved police programs to meet the town's policies and objectives, and on the basis of such analysis shall recommend to the town administrator and the town council plans and programs to meet such needs and opportunities.

(11)

Be responsible for developing and supervising the execution of safety programs within the department for the purpose of reducing hazards and accidents to persons and equipment.

(12)

Not less than once a month, at irregular and unannounced times, visit all components of the command, inspecting them for the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations and conformity with regulations and orders, initiating corrective action or disciplinary measures where indicated.

(13)

Assign personnel and hours of duty to most effectively meet the town's requirements for police service. The town administrator shall be kept advised of duty hours and assignments, and consulted where unusual variations and requirements appear necessary.

(14)

Be alert to grievances of personnel within the department and to complaints concerning the operations of the department, and shall assure that all grievances and complaints are handled promptly with due regard to the rights of all parties concerned and the town. Grievances and complaints which cannot be resolved within the department will be forwarded to the town administrator for resolution.

(15)

Be responsible for devising and administering a system of daily, weekly and monthly reports from which a full record of all police activity in the town can be made available to the town administrator and the mayor and council.

(16)

Perform patrol duty and all other police duties as are necessary to maintain close familiarity with the town, its residents and regular visitors and their activities, and to supplement the regular patrol, particularly at times of special need or emergency, or in the absence of other officers or as directed by the town administrator.

(c)

Responsibilities of patrol unit commander. The patrol unit commander shall:

(1)

Head the patrol unit and direct and supervise all officers assigned to patrol duty, making corrections and recommending discipline where necessary, and commending where appropriate, and recommending special awards.

(2)

Be responsible, as directed by the chief of police, for the effective performance of the following functions:

a.

Intensive patrol of the town and response to call for police assistance, to the extent practicable on a twenty-four (24) hour, seven (7) day a week basis, as prescribed by police policies and general orders of the department;

b.

Enforcement of town ordinances; and

c.

Other programs for police service, crime prevention and public safety as are assigned by the chief of police.

(3)

Be familiar with state laws, county and town ordinances, and all policies, procedures and regulations applicable to the department, and shall take such other action as is necessary to insure their enforcement, including instruction and interpretation of such to members of the command following guidelines provided by the chief of police and state's attorneys.

(4)

Follow a duty schedule designed and approved by the chief of police to enable the commander to supervise and inspect all shifts under his or her command over each work period in accordance with the needs of the command, and shall be available for duty at all times directed by the chief of police.

(5)

Perform patrol duty as necessary to maintain close familiarity with the town, its residents and regular visitors and their activities, and to supplement the regular patrol, particularly at times of special need or emergency, and shall perform such other related duties as may be directed by the chief of police.

(6)

Insure that each officer on patrol duty receives daily orders and instructions applicable to such officer's shift.

(7)

Be sensitive to the conduct of youth and young adults and shall lead subordinates in control efforts.

(8)

Examine reports submitted by subordinates for conformity with approved procedures, returning improper or incomplete reports for remedial or corrective action.

(9)

Assist the chief of police in the continued training of probationary officers, and assist in the preparation and review of evaluation reports for such officers.

(10)

Prepare required administrative reports on the activities of the patrol unit and submit them timely and properly.

(11)

Be alert to the grievances of personnel assigned to the patrol unit and take appropriate action to resolve them. Grievances which cannot be resolved will be forwarded promptly to the chief of police.

(d)

Responsibilities of investigations unit commander. The investigations unit commander shall:

(1)

Head the investigations unit and shall direct and supervise personnel assigned to assist in conduct of work assigned to such unit.

(2)

Be responsible as directed by the chief of police for the effective performance of the following functions:

a.

Investigation of crimes committed in the town;

b.

Identification and apprehension of criminals;

c.

Recovery of stolen property; and

d.

Other programs which require in-depth investigations, particularly those designed to prevent and control juvenile delinquency.

(3)

Develop programs to foster close cooperation with federal, state, county, and other municipal agencies, and officers of the patrol unit in providing the support and actions needed in the investigation and solution of crimes, and in the flow of information to and from the investigations unit.

(4)

Maintain hours of duty in accordance with the needs of the unit, following a work period schedule approved by the chief of police, and shall be available for duty at all times in case of special need or emergency.

(5)

Be familiar with state laws, county and town ordinances and all policies, procedures and regulations applicable to the department, and take such action as is necessary to insure their enforcement.

(6)

Develop programs designed to promote citizen participation in the prevention and solution of crimes and apprehension of criminals.

(7)

Prepare required reports on the activities of the investigations unit and submit them timely and properly.

(8)

When the needs of the department require, perform patrol or other related duties as directed by the chief of police.

(e)

Responsibilities of duty or patrol officers:

(1)

All officers of the department regardless of rank shall from time to time perform patrol duty, and when on such duty shall perform the duties outlined below.

(2)

Duty or patrol officers shall, during their tours of duty, patrol all sections of the town for the purposes of maintaining the peace, good order and safety of the public; of achieving adherence to town and county ordinances and state laws; of protecting life and property; and of assisting citizens or fellow officers in distress. While on duty such officers shall respond promptly to all calls for police assistance, shall conduct preliminary investigations, and shall make full reports of all crimes and incidents, which occur within the town, and carry out all other responsibilities normally expected of uniformed police officers.

(3)

Unless otherwise directed by the officer in charge, or an officer of higher rank, all officers assigned to such duty shall be responsible as follows:

a.

They shall report for duty at the designated hour and place properly uniformed and equipped;

b.

They shall give full attention to orders and instructions provided for their duty shifts, carefully read all materials furnished them and make written notes of all relative information; and

c.

They shall proceed with the implementation of all special orders and instructions for their duty shifts, and all general orders of the department applicable during their tours of duty; and such other related assignments as may be directed by the chief of police or patrol unit commander.

(4)

Duty (or patrol) officers shall not leave the town or discontinue patrol during their tour of duty unless for police reasons or personal necessity. If required to do so, they shall notify the dispatcher, so that the town may be covered during their absence, and shall note the times and reasons in their logs.

(5)

While on duty, duty (or patrol) officers will not meet or converse with other police officers or citizens, except on police business, or loiter or park their vehicles in areas which would serve no useful purpose to deter crime.

(6)

Duty (or patrol) officers shall familiarize themselves with laws, regulations and ordinances they are required to enforce.

(7)

While on duty they shall examine the front and rear doors, low windows and areaways of business buildings at night and vacant houses, to see if they are properly secured. If any building is found open, it shall be secured after the proper investigation and notifications are made.

(8)

They shall form impressions of persons they meet on the streets to enable them to recognize suspicious persons and ascertain their names and addresses or vehicle tag numbers, if possible, and to include such information in their report, or communicate this information to their dispatcher or immediate superior as the case may be. They shall also let persons of known bad character be aware that they are being observed if probable cause exists for such a warning.

(9)

They shall note and make proper reports of unsafe structures, defective public property, and dangerous conditions, and will take such measures as will protect the public until the conditions have been properly corrected.

(10)

They shall observe and report all traffic signal devices not operating properly, and traffic conditions, and will assist with traffic at points of congestion.

(11)

Duty (or patrol) officers shall promptly contact the appropriate person in the line of command on any matter coming to their attention which is not covered by their orders or instructions, or the police manual.

(f)

Code enforcement officers:

(1)

The objective of the Cheverly Code Enforcement Program is to enforce the town codes as to property and community standards, and such other responsibilities as assigned by the chief of police and to supplement the Prince George's County Property Standards Program so as to ensue compliance with the town Code as well as the county and state code where applicable.

(2)

The number of code enforcement officers will be determined by the mayor and council upon recommendations of the chief of police or town administrator.

(3)

Unless otherwise provided by the mayor and town council, the code enforcement officers shall be supervised by the chief of police. Code enforcement officers will receive compensation at a rate to be determined annually as part of the town budget. While code enforcement officers shall not ordinarily be sworn police officers, they shall meet the standards outlined in section 22-4(b) of this chapter.

(4)

The chief of police or the department head in charge of the code enforcement officers shall hire the code enforcement officers pursuant to section 21-7(b)(4) of this Code.

(5)

For the purposes of issuing municipal infractions, parking citations and making appearances in order to testify, the code enforcement officer shall be sworn in by the town clerk.

(g)

Clerical and administrative assistance:

(1)

Clerical and stenographic assistance for the department shall be provided on the basis of full or part-time positions in such numbers, position classifications and rates of pay as are authorized annually in the town budget, or as may be provided on a part-time basis by the town administrative office. Duties and work assignments of such positions shall be directed by the chief of police.

(2)

Clerical and administrative assistants who have access to confidential information shall be subject to the same background investigation and shall take the oath of office as is provided for police officers, except for references to impartial enforcement of the law since these assistants do not enforce the law.

(Ord. No. O-05-00, 5-11-00)