Council shall provide for police protection adequate to meet the needs regarding health and safety of the Village with a sense of public service. The Police Chief must have a sense of public service, possess strong leadership skills which will enable him/her to establish and maintain discipline and efficiency as well as direct the activities of the police department. The minimum qualification for appointment as Chief of Police shall be established by the Municipal Manager, which shall be consistent with the requirements of Ohio law, and confirmed by Village Council.
The Police Department shall be under the direction of a Chief of Police, who shall be the Department Head and who shall report to the Municipal Manager for administrative purposes.
The Police Chief is responsible for the efficient operation of his/her department, which shall include hiring, promotion and discipline of employees; budget and control of supplies and equipment; in-service education of officers and employees and all other activities which will assure the department's ability to function at the highest level possible to serve and protect the people of Woodlawn.
1. Disciplinary action in the police department shall be taken as provided in the Village of Woodlawn employment policies, as they may be amended from time to time. The appointment, promotion and removal of the Police Chief shall be made by the Municipal Manager with the approval of Council. The appointment, promotion and removal of members of the Police Department shall be made by the Police Chief in accordance with rules provided for by the Council and this Charter.
2. A newly appointed Police Chief shall be on probation for one year and quarterly evaluations will be conducted during the first year and thereafter review shall be on an annual basis. These reviews shall be conducted by the Municipal Manager, Mayor and Council.
3. Before any employee is hired in the Police Department, a thorough background check and investigation shall be done utilizing accepted industry standards and best practices and the employee must be approved by the Mayor, Municipal Manager and Council prior to employment.
4. The Police Department shall uphold the laws of the State of Ohio and the Village of Woodlawn.
5. The Police Chief shall report to the Municipal Manager, except during any ongoing criminal or sensitive investigations regarding such matters.