(A) For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACTIVE DUTY. The time period that a police officer is actively engaged in the performance of the duties of a police officer. An officer who is retired on disability pension or on leave of absence shall not be construed to be on active duty.
BASE PAY. The annual compensation paid to the police officer as determined by the City Council on an annual basis. The monthly base pay shall be the amount of the compensation divided by 12.
POLICE OFFICER. All types of persons employed by the city with the power of arrest, regardless of his or her rank designation or other type of clarification created by the City Board of Public Works. This does not include volunteer or part-time police officers.
YEARS OF SATISFACTORY SERVICE. Years of continuous, uninterrupted active duty as a police officer of the city, except as provided in division (C) below.
(‘89 Code, § 15.01)
(B) For that period of one calendar year from the date of his or her employment as a police officer, that police officer shall be considered as a probationary police officer. He or she shall be subject to dismissal at the recommendation of the Chief of Police, with the approval of the Board of Public Works and Safety, for any cause whatsoever. Upon the dismissal of a probationary police officer, the officer shall have no right of appeal nor recourse whatsoever. His or her salary for the probationary period shall be considered his or her base pay for purposes of this section.
(‘89 Code, § 15.02)
(C) The Board of Public Works and Safety shall have the right, upon timely application made by a police officer and for good cause, to grant a leave of absence for a period of time as determined by the Board. A police officer shall not lose his previously accumulated years of satisfactory service while on a leave of absence granted by the Board. However, the time during which a police officer is on leave of absence shall not be included in determining the total number of years of satisfactory service.
(‘89 Code, § 15.03)
(D) There is hereby created a Police Pension Board of Trustees to perform certain duties prescribed under I.C. 36-8-7-1 et seq. and 36-8-8-1 et seq.
(‘89 Code, § 10.05)
(E) The Board of Trustees of the Police Pension Fund shall pay $3,000 to the heirs or estate of any active or retired police officer who has suffered death from any cause.
(‘89 Code, § 15.04)