(A) The purpose of this policy is to establish a procedure for awarding service weapons and badges to retiring police officers or to the survivors of officers killed in the line of duty.
(B) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BADGE. The shirt badge issued to a police officer by the city through its Police Department.
DECEASED POLICE OFFICER. A police officer that is killed in the line of duty.
RETIRING POLICE OFFICER.
A full-time police officer who will voluntarily leave the employment of the city after becoming eligible for retirement under the rules of the State Retirement System.
SERVICE WEAPON.
The sidearm that is issued by the city through its Police Department to a police officer and is carried on duty by the officer.
SURVIVOR.
The immediate survivor of the deceased officer.
(C) (1) Service weapon.
(a) Upon retirement of a full-time police officer who has served as a police officer for the city and upon written request by the retiring officer made within 30 days of the effective retirement date, the city may, pursuant to G.S. §§ 20-187.2, award the retiring officer their service sidearm, badge and credentials. This shall be done at no cost to the retiring officer.
(b) The retiring officer must fully comply with the requirements set forth in G.S. § 20-187.2 by either securing a permit for the sidearm pursuant to G.S. §§ 14-402 et seq. or 14-409 et seq. or by having the sidearm rendered incapable of being fired.
(2) Badge/credentials. Upon retirement as set forth herein, an officer will be awarded their duty badge and photo identification issued by the Police Department, both of which shall be stamped RETIRED.
(3) Eligibility of officers prior to September 10, 2013. Any award of sidearm, badge and credentials prior to September 10, 2013 is hereby ratified. Any police officer (as defined herein) that retired prior to September 10, 2013 who would now be eligible is hereby deemed eligible and may apply for their sidearm, badge and credentials pursuant to this section.
(4) Killed in the line of duty. The immediate survivor of an officer that is killed in the line of duty will be awarded that officer’s service weapon, badge and credentials. This shall be done at no cost to the survivor provided that the sidearm be rendered incapable of being fired. The order of survivorship shall be in the following priority: spouse, children, parents, brother or sister. This section shall apply regardless of the number of years of service the officer had with the city.
(Ord. 00-4-1, passed 4-11-00; Am. Ord. 13-09-03, passed 9-10-13)