133.04 FIRE OFFICIALS TO INVESTIGATE FIRES, MAKE ARRESTS, EXAMINE WITNESSES, ETC.

   Members of the Hamilton Fire Division designated by the Fire Chief and approved by the City Manager, upon satisfactory completion of such investigatory and law enforcement training as may be required by law, are hereby empowered to investigate the cause of fires and make arrests for arson or other fire-related crimes. Such members are further authorized, in accordance with state and federal law, to enter (for the purpose of examination) property which is in danger from fire, and to do and perform all other acts necessary to the effective discharge of these duties. Moreover, such duties and authority shall specifically include those set forth in Ohio R.C. 737.27, as may be amended from time to time.

   The Fire Chief shall report the activities of the aforesaid fire officials to Council at such times as may be required by Council provided such reports shall not compromise the integrity of investigations in progress, shall not violate the Ohio Open Records Law, and shall not disclose the identity of uncharged suspects.

   Such powers as are herein granted are not provided so as to exclude the duty of the Hamilton Police Division to investigate crimes. Rather, both the Police and Fire Divisions shall cooperate in the investigation of arson and fire-related criminal offenses.

   Upon successful completion of the training required for an Ohio law enforcement officer to handle and use a firearm in the course of duty, and for so long as such member satisfies the on- going qualifications of a law enforcement officer to bear a firearm, the fire officials referred to herein shall be permitted to carry and use approved firearms while in the scope and course of their duty.
(Ord. 2005-7-72. Passed 7-13-05.)