(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
FULL RESERVE OFFICER. A reserve officer who has finished all initial training requirements, finished the probationary period and has been appointed to the Reserve Force as a “full reserve officer”.
MT. VERNON POLICE DEPARTMENT RESERVE OFFICER FORCE. The police reserve unit shall be known as the “Mt. Vernon Police Department Reserve Officer Force,” hereinafter referred to as the reserve force.
REGULAR DEPARTMENT or REGULAR MEMBERS. The Mt. Vernon Police Department or officers of the Mt. Vernon Police Department.
TRAINEE RESERVE OFFICER. A reserve force applicant who has completed the application process and has been recommended to the Board of Public Works and Safety by the Chief of Police. A TRAINEE RESERVE OFFICER is an officer on probation and has not been appointed to the Mt. Vernon Police Department Reserve Officer Force. (See FULL RESERVE OFFICER above.)
(B) Selection and training.
(1) Each Reserve Officer applicant shall be required to submit to physical testing as deemed necessary by the Chief, background investigation, drug screen (at applicant’s own expense) and any other appropriate tests as deemed necessary by the Chief of Police or Board of Public Works and Safety.
(2) Reserve Officers shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Board of Public Works and Safety.
(3) Reserve Officers may not be members of the regular Police Department, but have all of the same police powers as regular members, except as limited by the rules of the Reserve Force Department and state law. The Chief of Police may adopt rules, and regulations, subject to the approval of the Board of Public Works and Safety, and standard operating procedures to limit or explain the authority of the Reserve Force Officers.
(4) Upon the tentative approval of the applicant by the Board of Public Works and Safety, the Reserve Officer will be on probation for a period of six months.
(a) During the probationary period, the Reserve Officer must complete all training as required.
(b) The training requirements may be waived in full or in part by the Board of Public Works and Safety if the Reserve Officer applicant has had comparable training or experience within ten years prior to time of application.
(5) Six months from the tentative approval date (probationary period) or immediately after the Reserve Officer’s successful completion of all training requirements, or upon waiver, whichever occurs later, the Chief of Police shall notify the Board of Public Works and Safety of the eligibility of the Trainee Reserve Officer to become a “Full” Reserve Officer and the Reserve Officer applicant may then be appointed as a full Reserve Officer to the Reserve Force, by majority approval of the Board of Public Works and Safety.
(C) [Reserved]
(D) Benefits and allowance of the City Police Department Reserve Officer Force.
(1) The city shall provide a one-time only clothing allowance to each Full Reserve Officer in an amount of $275.
(2) The city shall provide death and/or dismemberment insurance (policy amount $25,000) for each Full Reserve Officer:
(3) Each Full Reserve Officer shall be provided the following equipment for use during their terms as a Reserve Officer:
(a) PR-24 police baton.
(b) Ammunition as necessary.
(c) Handcuffs as necessary.
(d) Rules and regulations manual.
(e) One shirt badge.
(f) One hat badge.
(g) One set collar insignias.
(h) One set ID and case.
(i) Gun leather (at the discretion of the Chief of Police; one-time issue only for original six reserve officers).
(4) The Reserve Officer shall furnish all other equipment required by the rules and regulations.
(5) City Police Department Reserve Officers (full or trainee) are not employees of the city and shall not be compensated for their services. Reserve Officers are not entitled to benefits or allowances defined in other fringe benefit or employee ordinances unless specifically noted.
(E) Duties, termination and miscellaneous provisions.
(1) A Full Reserve Officer shall perform all duties provided for by state laws and local ordinances unless limited by rules and regulations of the Reserve Force.
(2) The Chief of Police shall have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations governing the Reserve Force subject to approval by the Board of Public Works and Safety.
(3) The Chief of Police shall have authority to promulgate standard operating procedures, policies, and the like, as he may deem necessary for the daily efficient operation of the Reserve Force.
(4) Each Reserve Officer shall be required to serve a minimum of 12 hours per month. This time does not include time when attending academy or other mandatory training periods as required by this section.
(5) Reserve Officers shall serve at the discretion of the Chief of the Police Department.
(6) A Reserve Officer may be dismissed from the Reserve Force at will by the Chief of Police if he deems that it is in the best interest of the Reserve Force. Upon initiating a dismissal, the Chief of Police shall then notify, in writing, the Board of Public Works and Safety of said dismissal who shall either confirm the dismissal or overrule same by re-appointing said Reserve Officer. The Board of Public Works and Safety may also initiate a dismissal.
(7) As the Reserve Officer is not an employee, the Reserve Officer has no employment interest of any type. Upon initiation of dismissal procedures (written notification to the Board of Public Works and Safety or the Chief of Police), a copy of the written notice shall also be sent to the Reserve Officer. This is the only notice of relief to which the Reserve Officer shall be entitled.
(8) If any provision of this section is rendered contrary to the laws of the United States or the state, such provision shall be deemed repealed and all unaffected provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
(9) Reserve Officers shall be subordinate to any regular force officer.
(10) The Chief of Police may establish and appoint reserve officers to Reserve Force ranking positions as he deems necessary to assist in the daily operation of said Reserve Force but those officers shall still remain subordinate to any regular force officer.
(Ord. 91-36, passed 9-9-91; Am. Ord. 92-11, passed 4-27-92; Am. Ord. 96-7, passed 4-8-96)