(A) Unit established. Pursuant to R.C. § 737.161 there is hereby established an auxiliary unit to the Police Department which may be composed of not more than 30 members who shall have the qualifications shown below, and shall be appointed as provided in division (C) of this section.
(B) Certain provisions not to apply. Where clearly inconsistent with the provisions of this section, Ordinance No. 10A-80 (i.e., § 33.02), Ordinance No. 16-85 (i.e., §§ 33.04, 33.08, 33.14, 35.03, 35.06, 35.24 through 35.26), Ordinance No. 37-36, Ordinance No. 37-37 (not codified) and Ordinance No. 20-83 (i.e., § 33.09) shall not apply to persons appointed as auxiliary officers under this section.
(C) Appointment. Qualified candidates for auxiliary officers may be appointed by the Mayor of the village pursuant to state law (R.C. § 737.161) from written applications, with the confirmation of Village Council.
(D) Training. The Mayor, with the confirmation of the Village Council, may temporarily appoint persons as auxiliary officers for the sole purpose of attending the police academy to obtain training for qualification and certification as police officers. Under no circumstances shall such person act in the capacity as auxiliary officer for the village. At the completion of the training program the appointment shall terminate unless the Mayor makes the appointment permanent. Any such person appointed under this division shall secure training at his or her own cost.
(E) Qualifications. The minimum qualifications for appointment as auxiliary officers shall be as follows:
(1) Age 21 or over;
(2) Certified, commissioned Ohio police officer;
(3) Possess current valid Ohio driver’s license;
(4) Be available for duty as provided in this section;
(5) Be free of convictions for felonies or serious misdemeanors; and
(6) Be able to successfully complete a physical examination including a drug screen assignment.
(F) Oath; training; supervision. Upon appointment and before assignment, the auxiliary officer shall take the standard oath administered to appointed officers, and shall successfully complete such training as determined by the Chief of Police with the concurrence of the Mayor. Thereafter pursuant to state law, auxiliary officers shall be stationed and supervised by the Chief of Police under the general directive of the Mayor, and auxiliary officers shall comply with all laws and the regulations and policies of the village and the Police Department.
(G) Duties. The auxiliary officers shall be employed for various police duties as determined by the Chief of Police, except that auxiliary officers shall not be employed for regular duty shifts as the only officer on duty except in cases of emergency. Auxiliary officers shall not operate village police vehicles without being accompanied by a regular, full- time village police officer, until they have completed a minimum of 40 hours as auxiliary officers and have been given authority to operate vehicles by the Chief of Police.
(H) Compensation; leave of absence; uniform.
(1) (a) Auxiliary officers shall serve at least 16 hours a month of auxiliary duty with the Police Department at no pay. Failure to serve the mandatory hours per month for two consecutive months shall be cause for removal.
(b) The hourly wage for auxiliary officers is increased, as set by Council from time to time. This wage begins after they have service 16 volunteer hours per month at no pay.
(Am. Ord. 17-03, passed 12-8-2003)
(2) Auxiliary officers may be assigned to additional special duty as determined by the Chief of Police with the concurrence of the Mayor, and shall be compensated therefor at the regular part-time officer rate set forth by the Village Council from time to time.
(3) Upon written request to the Chief of Police, a temporary leave of absence of not longer than 90 days may be granted by the Chief with the concurrence of Mayor.
(4) Auxiliary police shall provide their own uniform, equipment, and service weapon, per the specifications of the Police Department, except that the village shall supply a police badge, identification card, and clothing identification patches. All village equipment shall be returned upon termination of service.
(I) Disciplinary action.
(1) The Chief of Police shall report all violations of any rules and regulations of the village and the Police Department immediately to the Mayor, and all violations shall be subject to discipline by the Chief of Police with the approval of the Mayor.
(2) Auxiliary officers shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and removal may be imposed by the Mayor whenever such action is felt to be in the best interest of the Department.
(3) When such action is taken, the Mayor shall file with the Council written charges against the person setting forth in detail the reason for the charges and immediately serve a true copy of the charges upon the person against whom they are made.
(4) Charges filed under this section shall be heard at the next regular meeting of the Village Council occurring not less than five days after the date the charges have been served upon the person against whom they are made. The person against whom the charges are filed may appear in person and by counsel at the hearing to examine all witnesses and answer all charges against him or her. At the conclusion of the hearing the Council may dismiss the charges, suspend the accused from office for not more than 60 days, or remove the accused from office. Action of the Village Council in removing or suspending the accused from office requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all members elected to it. The decision of the Mayor and Village Council shall be final.
(Ord. 10-92, passed 6-6-1992; Am. Ord. 13-92, passed 7-9-1992; Am. Ord. 3-96, passed 2-6-1996; Am. Ord. 07-08, passed 6-10-2008; Am. Ord. 06-12, passed 3-13-2012)