(A) There is hereby established an Auxiliary Police Force in the city.
(B) (1) The Auxiliary Police Force of the city shall be maintained for the purpose of assisting the regular Police Department of the city in preserving law and order and for such other functions as may be provided by ordinance of the City Council.
(2) The Mayor shall control the Auxiliary Police Force.
(C) (1) The appointment and continuance on the Auxiliary Police Force of the various members shall depend upon their ability and willingness to comply with the rules and regulations governing the Auxiliary Police Force as provided herein and adopted pursuant hereto.
(2) All members of the Auxiliary Police Force shall hold their membership only so long as they are able and willing to comply with the rules and regulations and during their good behavior. They shall be subject to suspension or dismissal for causes provided in division (F) of this section. All appointments and promotions shall be made by the Mayor in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(3) No person shall become a member of the Auxiliary Police Force unless he or she is a person of sobriety and integrity and has been and is an ordinary law abiding citizen.
(4) Each member shall be a qualified voter of the county; shall be between the ages of 21 and 70 years; shall have been an actual bona fide resident of the county for two years prior to his becoming a member; and shall have such other qualifications as may be prescribed in this subchapter, or other provisions, ordinances or regulations which may be passed or adopted, or as provided in the law governing the cities of the third class of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
(5) The Chief of Police shall, in a separate book especially provided for such purposes, keep a record of all appointments and memberships in the Auxiliary Police Force, showing the date of appointment, offices, outstanding performance of duty and all pertinent facts and data relative to the appointees and same shall be extended and brought down to date from time to time.
(6) The Auxiliary Police Force shall be made up of any number of persons not exceeding 36.
(D) (1) The Auxiliary Police Force, in conjunction with the Police Department of the city, shall perform the following duties:
(a) At the request and direction and under the supervision of the Chief of Police, perform surveillance and observation duties;
(b) At the request and direction of the Chief of Police, and under his or her supervision, perform such duties as directed for the purpose of controlling and directing traffic upon the streets, alleys, and public ways of the city; and
(c) At the request and direction of the Chief of Police and under his or her supervision, perform guard and all security duty during periods of domestic disturbances and public disasters.
(2) The Chief of the Auxiliary Police Force shall keep the Chief of Police well informed as to the activities of the Auxiliary Police Force and shall maintain adequate records of its membership and activities.
(E) (1) This section grants the power of arrest within the city limits to members of the Auxiliary Police Force the same as other peace officers of the city. However, no member of the Auxiliary Police Force shall exercise the power of arrest, except while in uniform and assigned to a specific duty as authorized by the Police Chief.
(2) All duty assignments will be kept, in writing, by the Chief of Police.
(3) The power of arrest shall not be exercised by members of the Auxiliary Police Force until after its members have successfully completed a course of training taught by designated members of the Police Department. This course of training is to be prescribed by the Police Chief and shall include on- the-job training with members of the Auxiliary Police Force assigned to ride a required number of hours in the regular police cruisers with regular members of the Police Department.
(F) Any member of the Auxiliary Police Force shall be dismissed and discharged for any of the following causes:
(1) Being intoxicated when on or off duty in public;
(2) Drinking intoxicating liquor while on active duty or while attending any meetings or functions of the Auxiliary Police Force;
(3) Insubordination or disrespect to any superior officer of the Auxiliary Police Force, Police Department of the city, Mayor or member of the City Council;
(4) Conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor in any court;
(5) Upon his or her salary being garnisheed two times for a just debt;
(6) Cowardice, inefficiency or neglect in the performance of a duty or disobedience of orders;
(7) Such mental, physical or educational incapacity or disability as renders him or her incapable of properly performing his or her duties;
(8) Any immoral habits, lasciviousness or improper conduct not excluded in this subchapter which would render him or her unfit and improper for membership in the Auxiliary Police Force of the city;
(9) The communication of information concerning the plans or activities of the Auxiliary Police Force of the Police Department or divulging the name of an informant concerning law violations to any person not a member of the Auxiliary Police Force or the Police Department of the city; (However, this division (F)(9) does not apply should its application prevent cooperation with other departments of the city government through any duly constituted heads or with the law enforcement heads of any political subdivision of the state or of the United States.)
(10) Conduct unbecoming an officer or prejudicial to the city; and
(11) Violation of any law of the Auxiliary Police Force or of the city.
(1989 Code, § 35.17) (Ord. 1035, passed - -1966; Am. Ord. 1455, passed - -1977; Am. Ord. 1495, passed - -1979; Am. Ord. 1699, passed - -1987; Am. Ord. 2550, passed 5-8-2006)
Statutory reference:
Authorization to establish auxiliary police force, KRS 95.445