There shall be a police department, the head of which shall be the chief of police, who shall be a police officer with at least ten years experience above the rank of patrolman in any organized police department or equivalent experience in a state or federal law enforcement agency. The chief of police shall be appointed by the town administrator. In addition to the chief of police, there may be a deputy chief and such other subordinate officers and patrolmen, all of the aforesaid serving full time, as shall from time to time be determined by the town council. The further organization of the department into divisions or offices or grades shall be made by the town council on recommendation of the town administrator after conferring with the chief of police. The police department shall be responsible for the preservation of the public peace, prevention of crime, apprehension of criminals, protection of the rights of persons and property, regulation of traffic, and the enforcement of the laws of the state and the ordinances of the town and rules and regulations in accordance therewith. The chief of police and other members of the department shall have all the powers and duties as are now and hereafter vested in such police officers by the laws of the state and the town ordinances. The chief of police shall be in direct command of the police force and shall, subject to the approval of the town administrator and town council, make rules and regulations concerning the conduct of all officers and subordinates. (Amended, November 5, 2002; Amended, November 4, 2008; Amended, November 6, 2018.)