The Chiefs of the Departments of Police and Fire shall have the exclusive right to suspend any of the officers or employees in their respective divisions, for incompetence, gross neglect of duty, gross immorality, habitual drunkenness, failure to obey orders given by the proper authority, or for any other just and reasonable cause. If any officer or employee be suspended, as herein provided, the Chief of the department concerned shall forthwith in writing certify the fact, together with the cause for the suspension, to the Director of Public Safety. Within five days from the receipt thereof, the Director of Public Safety shall proceed to inquire into the cause of such suspension and render judgment thereon, which judgment, if the charge be sustained, may be suspension, reduction in rank, or dismissal. Such judgment in the matter shall be final, except as otherwise hereinafter provided. In any such investigation, the Director of Public Safety shall have the same power to administer oaths and secure the attendance of witnesses, and the production of books and papers, as is herein conferred upon the Council.
(Amended by electors 11-7-00)