(A) If a majority of the active members of the Police Department vote to approve the merit system, the merit system and the Police Merit Commission are both established. Appointments to the Police Merit Commission shall be made by March 1,2020.
(B) (1) Pursuant to I.C. 36-8-3.5-6, the Commission shall consist of five Commissioners appointed in the following manner:
(a) Two members shall be appointed by the Mayor. The members appointed by the Mayor shall be members of different political parties;
(b) One member shall be appointed by the City Council; and
(c) Two members shall be elected by the active members of the Police Department. The members elected by the active members of the Police Department shall be members of different political parties.
(2) For purposes of this section, membership in a political party shall be determined in accordance with the political affiliation restrictions of I.C. 36-8-3.5-6(a).
(C) To qualify as a Commissioner, the appointee must be at least 21 years of age, must be of good moral character and must be a legal resident of the city for three consecutive years immediately preceding the Commissioner’s term. A Commissioner may not be an active member of the Police Department or of another police or fire department. Not more than two of the Commissioners may be past members of a police or fire department. A person may not serve on the Commission if the person receives any remuneration as salary from the city.
(D) A Commissioner serves at the pleasure of the appointing or electing authority and may be removed at any time. The term of a Commissioner is four years. However, one of the Mayor’s initial selections and one of the active members’ initial selections are for terms of two years. Election and recall of a Commissioner elected by the active members of the Police Department shall be conducted pursuant to I.C. 36-8-3.5-7 and 36-8-3.5-8.
(E) A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled within 30 days by the appointing or electing authority. The selection is for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(F) Before entering upon his or her duties, each Commissioner shall take and subscribe an oath to conscientiously discharge the Commissioner’s duties. The oath and affirmation shall be recorded and placed among the records of the City Clerk.
(Ord. 2019-1811, passed 11-18-2019)