(A) Office of Chief of Police. Pursuant to authority given under Tex. Loc. Gov’t. Code, § 22.076, the office of Marshal is abolished, and the office of Chief of Police is created. The Chief of Police shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by the Council.
(B) Powers and duties of Chief of Police. The Chief of Police shall be qualified and trained to meet standards as prescribed by the State Commission of Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE). The Chief of Police shall obtain and maintain all certifications as prescribed by law. The Chief of Police shall be the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the city, and as such, have supervision over the other enforcement officers on his or her staff and the Police Reserve Force. The Chief of Police shall perform all duties required by law, ordinance, resolution, or order of the governing body.
(C) General duties.
(1) Conduct routine patrol of the city to prevent crime and act as necessary: respond to emergency calls and routine complaints and disturbances, including traffic accidents and domestic violence issues; report and respond to suspicious circumstances, traffic violations, and hazards to life or property; and serve warrants.
(2) Conduct investigations into criminal offenses: investigate crime scenes; investigate gang activity; operate and maintain investigative equipment; gather and label evidence maintaining a proper chain of custody; take photographs and fingerprints for court case preparation; and escort and interview witnesses and suspects.
(3) Make arrests; file charges before appropriate judges; book violators of laws or individuals with outstanding warrants for their arrest.
(4) Accurately prepare and maintain written statements, depositions, and reports concerning crimes, complaints, accidents, and investigations.
(5) Cooperate with other law enforcement agencies and municipal police departments as directed and as appropriate: share information; serve on interagency task forces; provide support for joint investigations and other law enforcement operations.
(6) Act as department liaison with community groups to foster good police/community relations: provide community residents with reliable information regarding Police Department activities and crime prevention methods; resolve complaints, concerns, issues or questions regarding Police Department personnel or departmental policies or procedures; mediates and negotiates conflicts and disagreements within the community.
(7) Manage Police Department resources: provide input on annual operating budget; control and monitor expenses within Police Department budget; assure fiscal responsibility and cost consciousness; identify sources for grants and apply as appropriate; direct and coordinate the maintenance, improvement, repair, replacement, and acquisition of property and equipment.
(8) Manage Police Department staff: coordinate and assign personnel to shifts and delegate work as appropriate; supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff; interview and select employees and make transfers, reassignment, termination, and disciplinary actions; plan, coordinate, arrange for and provide appropriate training of subordinates.
(9) Assure federal, state, county, and municipal laws and ordinances are enforced; develop department operating policies and procedures.
(10) Prepare and review a variety of administrative reports, correspondence, and other written materials; direct the preparation and maintenance of police files, records, and reports; review and revise written policy based on legislative changes, court decisions and City Council directives.
(11) Supervise and coordinate special events as assigned; review and approve special event permits and commercial filming permits.
(12) Perform code enforcement and animal control functions and other duties as assigned.
(13) Advise City Administrator, Mayor, and City Council of critical issues, decisions, and actions.
(Ord. 2018-11-05, passed 11-5-2018; Ord. 2021-11-02-01, passed 11-2-2021)
Statutory reference:
Other municipal officers, see Tex. Loc. Gov’t. Code, § 22.071
Powers and duties of municipal officers; bond, see Tex. Loc. Gov’t. Code, § 22.072
Bond of Marshal; abolition of office, see Tex. Loc. Gov’t. Code, § 22.076