(A) There is created the Criminal Investigation Fund with the monies deposited in the Fund to be expended by the Chief of Police, without appropriation, but in accordance with the provisions, limitations and conditions of this section.
(B) The monies deposited in the Criminal Investigation Fund shall not be commingled with nor shall they be a part of the General Fund of the town.
(C) The source of funds to be deposited in the Criminal Investigation Fund shall be both funds from the public sale of seized property in accordance with the provisions of I.C. 34-24-1-1 et seq. and funds derived from the sale of seized property indisposed of in accordance with the United States Department of Justice policy. Any monies from either of these two sources paid into the General Fund of the town shall be deposited in the Criminal Investigation Fund by the Clerk-Treasurer of the town.
(D) Authorized expenditures from the Criminal Investigation Fund shall be utilized solely for law enforcement purposes and may include the following:
(1) Purchase of vehicles and equipment needed for law enforcement function;
(2) Purchase of weapons and protective equipment;
(3) Purchase of investigative communi- cations equipment;
(4) Purchase of automated data processing (ADP) equipment and software to be used in support of law enforcement purposes;
(5) Use as reward money or expenses of running a “sting” operation;
(6) Money used to make “buys” in connection with anticipated arrests; and
(7) Costs associated with public education on drug awareness, alcohol abuse or other issues related to prevention of illegal or criminal activity.
(E) (1) Expenditures from the Criminal Investigation Fund shall be made by the Chief of Police, under the authority and pursuant to such limitations as may be granted and imposed by the Town Council, subject to formal claim approved by the Town Council and in accordance with the town purchasing policy.
(2) The authorized action and limitation may include, but shall not be limited to the following:
(a) The dollar amount of law enforcement expenditures which may be made without prior approval by the Town Council; and
(b) Reporting requirements by the Chief of Police on the dollars received and expenditures made from the Criminal Investigation Fund which reports must be made at least annually.
(F) (1) There shall be no reversion of the Criminal Investigation Fund or any monies paid into the Criminal Investigation Fund to the General Fund of the town.
(2) Funds from the sale of seized property may accumulate in the Criminal Investigation Fund.
(G) The Criminal Investigation Fund is to be used exclusively for law enforcement purposes.
(Ord. 8-2000, passed 6-5-00)