(A) There are hereby established and created the following departments for the city:
(1) Public Safety: Police and Fire;
(2) Public Works;
(3) Administration: Finance; Human Resources; Zoning, Planning, and Business Licenses; and Information Technology;
(4) Building and Facilities; and
(5) Utilities.
(B) Under the direct supervision of the City Administrator, as specified by the Mayor, persons appointed as the heads of the departments listed above shall be responsible for the functions and duties as prescribed in this code and other duties as the City Council may from time to time determine.
(C) All sworn police officers of the city shall be invested with all the powers and subject to all the duties conferred by law upon constables. In addition to any other duties and functions prescribed by ordinance, the Department of Public Safety shall:
(1) Provide protection for persons and property against unlawful acts;
(2) Provide police patrol services in all areas of the city;
(3) Investigate crimes;
(4) Apprehend, arrest and assist in the prosecution of perpetrators of crimes;
(5) Maintain an active crime prevention and control program; and
(6) Provide fire suppression and first aid services.
(D) In the event of a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional response in the city, the Department of Public Safety shall establish a single command utilizing groups, divisions, branches, or establish a Unified Command per the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS).
(E) The Mayor, upon any emergency or apprehension of riot or tumult or mob violence or threatened violence, is hereby vested with the authority to appoint as many special police officers as necessary. Special police officers shall be paid amounts as may be agreed upon at the time of appointment but shall not be paid at a higher rate than that paid to regular police officers. Special police officers shall obey all rules of the Public Safety Department, and shall be under the supervision of the Director of Public Safety.
(‘95 Code, § 2-1-2) (Am. Ord. 25-17, passed 9-26-17)
Statutory reference:
Authority to appoint regular and special police officers, S.C. Code § 5-7-110