(a) A police officer is responsible for performing a variety of duties related to the protection of life and property, the enforcement of criminal and traffic laws, the prevention of crime, the preservation of the public peace and the apprehension of violators of the law. A police officer shall perform these duties as prescribed in Police Department general and special orders, as directed by supervisors and in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Department and the Code of Ethics of the law enforcement profession.
(b) In addition to the general and individual responsibilities of all members of the Department, a police officer is specifically responsible for the following:
(1) Reporting promptly at the designated hour and place, in proper uniform, for assignment and inspection. A police officer shall listen attentively to the orders and instructions of superior officers and read such materials as are made available to him or her. He or she shall make written memoranda of such information as is necessary and shall immediately proceed with patrol duty upon the completion of these tasks.
(2) Accomplishment of the police mission. A police officer shall constantly be alert for violations of the law and shall make every effort to prevent breaches of the peace and offenses against persons and property. A police officer shall be held accountable for crime, accidents, disorders and other criminal conditions that come or should come to his or her attention.
(3) Being thoroughly familiar with the Village and the rules and regulations, general and special orders, policies and procedures of the Department. To this end, a police officer shall direct any question regarding the Village or such rules, regulations, orders, policies and procedures to a superior officer, in accordance with the chain of command, and shall continue to do so until the question is properly answered.
(4) Carefully investigating all complaints which come to his or her attention. Suitable action shall be taken in such cases, and interested parties shall be suitably informed of the laws relative to the particular complaint or incident.
(5) Preliminary investigation of all crimes. At the scene of a major crime, subject to the direction of higher Department authority, the first police officer at the scene, after it has been established that the perpetrator is no longer present, shall begin the preliminary investigation.
(6) Taking cognizance of and reporting to a superior all street or traffic lights that are defective and all traffic signs and dangerous conditions of streets, Village property or other property that are likely to prove dangerous to the public.
(Adopting Ordinance)
(c) (1) In addition to the regular office of police officer, there shall also exist the office of part-time police officer. A part-time police officer shall have all the responsibilities of a fu11-time police officer, but shall not work in excess of 1,560 hours per calendar year. Part-time police officers shall not be assigned to supervise or direct fu11-time police officers, nor used as permanent replacements for permanent fu11-time officers. Part-time police officers shall be trained in accordance with the Intergovernmental Law Enforcement Officer's In-Service Training Act, 50 ILCS 720/1-6.
(2) The Village hereby adopts hiring standards for the employment of part-time police officers as set forth in the Village of Palos Park Part-Time Police Hiring Standards, which is attached to original Ordinance 1997-23, passed October 27, 1997, as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference.
(Ord. 1997-23. Passed 10-27-97.)