The Department of Safety shall be under the direct charge of the Mayor, who shall be the Director of Safety.
The Department of Safety shall consist of a Division of Police and a Division of Fire. The Safety Director shall make all necessary rules and regulations for the government of these Divisions and shall be charged with the duty of enforcing within the limits of the City all police, sanitary and safety regulations that are prescribed by ordinance or by the general laws of the State. Each division shall be composed of such officers and employees as may be provided by ordinance or resolution of the Council, unless otherwise provided for in this Charter. The Safety Director shall keep a detailed and complete record of all activities of these Divisions, and shall cause each employee of the Department to make report of his or her activities.
The Director of Safety shall have the authority to suspend any employee of this Department for incompetency, gross neglect of duty, gross immorality, drunkenness, failure to obey orders given by the proper authorities, or for any just and reasonable cause. Any employee may appeal from such decision to the Civil Service Commission. In such event the Mayor shall forthwith transmit a copy of the charges and proceedings and the Commission shall hear such appeal and may affirm, disaffirm or modify the judgment, and its judgment in the matter shall be final.
(Amended November 5, 1996)