[Amended 11-13-2001 by Ord. No. 39-2011; 12-28-2009 by Ord. No. 73-2009; 8-22-2016 by Ord. No. 34-2016]
A. Function. The Department of Police shall be responsible for the protection of persons and property within the City by maintaining law and order.
B. Department Director.
(1) Whenever the Chief of Police (or Acting Chief) is absent due to vacation, illness or injury, the current Chief (or Acting Chief) shall designate one of the police Department's Command Staff to head the department and staff until the Chief of Police returns to duty.
(2) Whenever the position of Chief of Police (or Acting Chief) is vacant due to the removal, resignation, retirement, incapacitation due to permanent disability, as per § 70-715, Disability removal, or death, the Managing Director shall appoint one of the Police Department's Command Staff to the Acting Chief position, as is required in § 5-401 of this chapter, until such time as the Mayor nominates a replacement to City Council and City Council approves the nomination. [Amended 1-27-2014 by Ord. No. 8-2014]
§ 604. Qualifications.
The heads of departments, offices, and agencies shall be selected solely on the basis of education, training, experience and professional, executive and administrative abilities; and such other qualifications as may be set forth in this Charter. (See § 705.)
§ 705. Compensation of heads of departments, offices and agencies.
The compensation of all heads of departments, offices and agencies under the direction of the Mayor shall be proposed by the Mayor and approved by ordinance. Compensation of all other employees shall be set in accordance with the uniform pay plan established by City Council in the Personnel Code. All such heads of departments, offices and agencies need not be residents of the City at the time of appointment, but after appointment shall reside in the City. City residency shall be required within 12 months of being appointed.
D. Department Director duties. The duties and responsibilities of the Chief shall include, but not be limited to the below. He/she shall direct personally and through subordinates the performance of all these duties and responsibilities:
(1) Protect persons and property by maintaining law and order.
(2) Enforce all criminal laws and ordinances.
(3) Detect and apprehend criminal offenders and persons suspected of committing a crime.
(4) Maintain records and files of crimes and criminals.
(5) Operate facility for the short-term detention of persons in custody.
(6) Develop and conduct community relations and education programs.
(7) Conduct in-service training as prescribed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(8) Direct other law enforcement personnel with less than full police powers such as school-crossing guards and park rangers.
(9) Coordinate the emergency management services.
(10) Operate and maintain the police radio and other municipal radio and emergency communication systems as may be assigned to the Department.
(11) Maintain records and logs relating to radio and emergency communication systems as required by law.
E. Police powers. Police employed by the City of Reading shall be ex officio constables of the Commonwealth and shall and may, within the City or upon property owned or controlled by the City or by an authority of the City within the Commonwealth, exercise the powers and prerogatives conferred on police officers by law. Police, when acting as constables, shall have the authority to serve and execute all criminal processes for the violation of municipal ordinances which may be issued, and the fees and costs collected in such capacity shall be paid into the City treasury.