A. Division Established:
There shall be a Department of Public Safety consisting of the following divisions:
1. Division of Fire:
The Division of Fire shall be made up of personnel having the qualifications of a fire fighter as provided in Section 124.42 of the Ohio Revised Code as the same now is or may from time to time be amended and in such numbers as may be determined by City Council.
2. Division of Police:
The Division of Police shall be made up of personnel having the qualifications of a police officer as provided in Section 124.41 of the Ohio Revised Code as the same now is or may from time to time be amended and in such numbers as may be determined by City Council.
B. Supervision:
The Department of Public Safety shall be under the supervision of the City Manager who shall be charged with seeing to the enforcement of all fire, police, and safety laws and regulations as may be established by Charter, ordinances of the City, Administrative regulations of the City, state statutes, or provisions of the Administrative Code of the State of Ohio not in conflict with City ordinances or regulations.
C. Fire Chief:
1. Qualifications: No person shall be appointed to position of Fire Chief without having met the following qualifications:
a. Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited College or University in Public Safety Administration or fire/rescue related field and five years experience in the position of Assistant Fire Chief or Captain/Inspector within any fire department,
OR
Associate’s Degree in Public Safety Administration or fire/rescue related field from an accredited College or University and ten years experience in the position of Assistant Fire Chief or Captain/Inspector within any fire department.
b. All licenses required for a fire fighter by the State of Ohio.
c. All requirements for eligibility as a Firefighter as required by the City Civil Service Commission.
d. Successful interview by City Manager to ascertain Executive and Administrative qualifications.
2. Duties:
The Fire Chief, under the supervision of the City Manager, shall be the commanding officer of the Fire Department with final authority on scheduling, number of officers per shift and per firehouse, and discipline with the right to suspend any member of the Department for a period of not to exceed three (3), twenty-four (24) hour shifts.
3. Vacancy:
A vacancy in the position of Fire Chief shall be filled from those applicants meeting the qualifications set forth in C.1. above. Absent language to the contrary in a Collective Bargaining Agreement, applicants need not be a member of the Department to be considered for appointment to the position of Chief nor shall it be necessary to take a competitive examination to be considered for said position.
4. Appointment:
The Fire Chief shall be appointed by the City Manager with the advice and consent of Council and shall become a resident of the City within thirty (30) days of confirmation.
D. Police Chief:
1. No person shall be appointed to position of Police Chief without having met the following qualifications:
a. Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety Administration, Criminal Justice, or related field from an accredited College or University and five years experience as a Captain or higher within any law enforcement agency.
OR
Associate’s Degree in Public Safety Administration, Criminal Justice, or related field from an accredited College or University and ten years experience as a Captain or higher within any law enforcement agency.
b. All licenses required for a police officer by the State of Ohio.
c. All requirements for eligibility as a Patrolman as required by the City Civil Service Commission.
d. Successful interview by City Manager to ascertain Executive and Administrative qualifications.
2. Duties:
The Police Chief, under the supervision of the City Manager, shall be the commanding officer of the Police Department with final authority on scheduling, number of officers per shift, areas of patrol, and discipline with the right to suspend any member of the Department for a period of not to exceed seven (7), eight (8) hour shifts.
3. Vacancy:
A vacancy in the position of Police Chief shall be filled from those applicants meeting the Qualifications set forth in D.1. above. Absent language to the contrary in a Collective Bargaining Agreement, applicants need not be a member of the Department to be considered for appointment to the position of Chief nor shall it be necessary to take a competitive examination to be considered for said position.
4. Appointment:
The Police Chief shall be appointed by the City Manager with the advice and consent of Council and shall become a resident of the City within thirty (30) days of confirmation.
(Amended 11-4-14)