(A) Duties. Police officers shall enforce the provisions of all statutes and ordinances, arrest and/or issue citations to violators thereof, maintain records, prepare necessary reports, serve writs, summonses, and other processes, function as conservators of the peace and comply with all standards set out in the Standard Operating Procedures Manual.
(B) Police operations shall be conducted by properly trained and certified police officers only and it shall be the continuing duty of the Police Chief to ensure that a full background check has been done of all potential new hires to insure they have the required training, qualifications, and certification to be police officers under Kentucky law and that they are additionally certified under the Peace Officers Professional Standards Act (POPS).
(C) No routine, regular police operations shall be conducted outside the city boundaries of the city without the approval of the Police Chief, except city officers may assist/back up other police or law enforcement agencies outside the city limits in the event of an emergency. Jurisdiction may be expanded to include the incorporated area of another city that shares police services with the city, pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act.
(D) No outside patrols or security services may be performed by any member of the Police Department unless and until a prior written authorization for such work is approved at least 24 hours in advance of said event by the Chief of Police. The Mayor must approve any off-duty work of the Chief of Police. The Mayor may also reverse any off-duty approval he or she believes to be detrimental to the city.
(E) Compensation. Police officers shall be compensated at the rate set forth by the city's pay classification ordinance.
(F) Appointment. Appointment to the office of Chief of Police shall be on the recommendation of the Mayor with the consent and approval of the City Council. Police officers shall be appointed by the Police Chief with the consent and approval of the Mayor. If the Police Chief and Mayor are not able to agree on an appointment, the matter will be decided by the City Council. The following shall apply to all police hires:
(1) Applicants are required to fill out an application for employment, providing prescribed background information which will be verified by the Chief of Police or his or her designated representative.
(2) Applicants will undergo an evaluation to determine their psychological and physical fitness for employment as a police officer.
(3) Criminal history background investigations will be conducted on all prospective officers to ensure that there are no previous felony convictions.
(4) Driver's license history will be checked to ensure that all prospective officers have a valid Kentucky operators license.
(5) Upon appointment and before the commencement of service each police officer shall be administered an oath of office consistent with Section 228 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky; and shall pledge to faithfully discharge the duties of his or her office.
(6) Newly hired police officers will be hired on a probationary basis, for a period of six months. During this period, officers may be terminated without cause or with cause.
(7) Newly hired police officers with no prior police certification will be required to attend the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training Police Academy to be certified as a police officer.
(Ord. 6-27-22A, Series 2022, passed 7-25-22)