(A) Definitions. Wherever the words “Force” and “Police Force” appear in this section, they shall be interpreted to mean all police officers, including the Chief of Police.
(B) General Duties. The primary purpose of an efficient Police Force is to preserve peace and good order, to protect life and property and to prevent crime. It is the duty of the Police Force of the city at all times of the day or night, and the members of such Force are so authorized, to especially preserve the public peace, prevent crime, detect offenders, suppress riots, mobs and insurrections, disperse unlawful or dangerous assemblages and assemblages which obstruct the free passage of public streets, sidewalks, parks or places; to protect the rights of persons and property, guard the public health, preserve order at elections and all public meetings and assemblages; to regulate, direct, control and restrict the movement of all animals, motor vehicles and other vehicles on streets and bridges and in parks and public places; to protect human life and health; to remove all nuisances in the public streets and highways; to provide proper police attendance at fires; to assist, advise and protect strangers and travelers in public amusement and all places having a license to carry on any business or practice; and to enforce and prevent the violation of all laws and ordinances in force in the city. For the purpose of effecting such results, it is the duty of each member of the Police Force to detect and aid in securing the conviction of all violators of the law. Rules cannot be made to meet every case that may arise; therefore every officer on the Force is expected to study the laws of the state and ordinances of the city.
(C) General Behavior of Police Officers. A police officer should possess good judgment, be brave and fearless, honest, sober, neat in appearance and attire, obey and respect orders from his or her superiors and be courteous to residents. A police officer should avoid any chance of complaint and endeavor to earn the good opinion of the best residents; be willing to learn and execute orders promptly and with good judgment; uphold and respect all decisions made by the administration; and avoid causing friction and animosity among other members of the Force and administration. A police officer should be punctual in reporting for duty, court and Council meetings when requested by his or her superior officer. A police officer should make out written reports intelligently. These reports should be concise and as accurate as possible, giving full details, with correct and full information and descriptions of all parties concerned. A police officer, when attending court, shall give his or her utmost attention and respect towards the court at all times. Evidence should be given with the strictest accuracy, confining himself or herself to the case then before the court and neither suppressing nor overstating the slightest circumstance with a view toward favoring any person, or from ill will to either side. When cross examined, a police officer shall answer with the same readiness and civility as when giving evidence in support of a charge. Smoking or chewing of tobacco is prohibited while the court is in session.
(D) Testimony in Civil Cases. A police officer shall not testify in any civil case without legally being summoned to do so and unless he or she has received permission or orders to do so from his or her superior officer.
(E) Supervision; Special Orders. The Mayor shall have general supervision over the Police Force. The Chief of Police shall be the executive head of the Police Force under the Mayor. All other employees of the Police Department shall be responsible to the Chief of Police and, in his or her absence, to the Lieutenant of Police. All special orders of major importance issued by the Mayor or Council for execution by the Police Department and not contained in this section shall be made in writing to the Chief of Police. If such orders are not promptly and judiciously executed, the Mayor shall reassign such orders to other members of the Police Department as he or she may deem best.
(F) Responsibilities of Lieutenant. The Lieutenant of Police shall keep and prepare all police records, files, and the like, in a careful, orderly and proper manner, and shall file any and all necessary reports with the proper officials or departments.
(G) Following School Buses. All school buses operated on the main highways shall be followed by a member of the Police Department when it is possible.
(H) Liquor Dispensing; Places. Loitering in any establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold will not be tolerated while on duty. Visits made in a city owned police car to any establishment dispensing alcoholic beverages, except those within the city limits while on official police business, are prohibited and shall constitute cause for dismissal. If any member of the Force should desire to drink intoxicating beverages occasionally when off duty, he or she should do so with discretion. Drunkenness or being under the influence of liquor on the part of any member of the Force while on duty is positively prohibited and will constitute cause for dismissal.
(I) Police Chief. The Police Chief shall obey all orders of the Mayor and all rules and regulations of the Police Force which have been adopted by Council, enforce all city ordinances and comply with the duties assigned to him or her by the Mayor and city ordinances. He or she shall set an example for sobriety, skill, discretion, industry and promptness to the officers under his or her command and shall at all times appear neatly attired and clean in his or her person and equipment. He or she must carefully study and thoroughly understand the rules and regulations of the Police Force and note every case of misconduct or neglect of duty of subordinates and report the same to the Mayor.
(J) Residents’ Lawful Business; Religious or Political Discussions. All members of the Police Force are prohibited from influencing or attempting to influence, by threat or otherwise, the lawful business of any resident of the city. Members of the Force shall avoid all religious or political discussions in the City Hall. They shall not take part, interfere in or make use of the influence of their office in elections, but may quietly exercise their right of sufferage.
(K) Police Insignia, and the Like. Whenever any member of the Police Force loses his or her shield or other insignia of his or her office or any other property of the city, he or she shall immediately make a report of such loss to the Mayor and shall, within 30 days, reimburse the city for such loss; provided, however, that if such loss is not caused by any carelessness or negligence on the part of such member, he or she shall not be required to reimburse the city for such loss. In case of death, resignation or dismissal of any member of the Police Force, all city property shall immediately be returned to the Mayor, who shall give a receipt for the same. All members of the Police Force shall be careful in the use of all city property, whether fixed or movable. Roughness and carelessness is not to be tolerated.
(L) Police Cars. Blankets, stretchers, double handcuffs, a fire extinguisher and first-aid equipment shall be kept in police cars at all times. All cars used for police purposes must be equipped with a siren and markings in accordance with state regulations. It shall be the responsibility of the Police Chief to see that the police cars are in good running condition at all times, which includes having them greased and with the oil changed at regular intervals, having the wheel alignment checked periodically, having an adequate gas supply and keeping the car clean. The police cars shall stay within the city limits unless otherwise directed by the Mayor, with the following exceptions: emergency hospital service; emergency medical service; emergency police service requested by neighboring municipalities; and servicing the cars. Passengers, with the exception of city officials and emergency service previously mentioned, are prohibited from riding in police cars. The police cars shall be used only for police service which excludes pushing or towing of other vehicles.
(M) Police at Fires. A member of the Police Force, upon discovering a fire, shall at once turn in an alarm and remain to direct the firefighters arriving. He or she shall keep the adjacent streets clear. A member of the Police Force while on duty shall attend all fires when possible to direct traffic and protect property, life and the like.
(N) Target Practice; Revolvers. The Chief of Police and all police officers should attend target practice. The Chief of Police shall make all arrangements for such target practice, whether in or outside the city, with the approval of the Mayor. All members of the Force shall acquaint themselves with the handling and working of their revolvers, see that they are clean and ready for use and carry them at all times while on duty.
(O) First-Aid. Each member of the Police Force shall be capable of rendering first-aid in cases of emergency.
(P) Police Service at Public Activities. If it should be deemed necessary that police service is essential on special occasions at public functions, church services and the like, some member of the Police Force shall serve in that capacity upon approval of the Mayor.
(Q) Attending Council Meetings. The Chief of Police shall attend all regular Council meetings. In cases of emergency he or she may be excused by the Mayor. However, he or she is expected to remain at Council meetings at least until all Council committees have made their reports and he or she has made an oral summary of the Police Department activities. It shall be the responsibility of the Chief of Police to furnish the Mayor with odometer readings of the city police cars at each Council meeting.
(R) Jail Guards. Any member of the Police Force finding it necessary to place his or her party in jail because of the absence of sufficient bond to guarantee his or her appearance in court, must obtain a guard before leaving the building.
(S) Accidents. Any member of the Police Force who is called to an accident, whether on or off duty, should respond at once. Accidents that have resulted in personal injury should be given special care in that the injured parties should be made comfortable while waiting for an ambulance or transportation to a hospital. All pertinent facts should be carefully obtained and recorded for further authentic use. It shall be the responsibility of the police officer handling the accident to see that all broken glass or other obstacles injurious to automobile tires are removed from the highway.