(a) The Police Department shall be staffed at a number determined by Council through funds provided within the current budget or by supplemental appropriations.
(b) The number of police officers and other employees may be increased to provide additional positions when such positions are funded by grants from State or Federal agencies and approved by Council.
(c) The Police Department shall be under the direct supervision and control of the Mayor, who shall appoint a Police Commissioner or Chief of Police who is professionally qualified by education and experience as a law enforcement administrator. The Police Commissioner shall not be regarded as a police officer within the provisions of this Article and other ordinances unless specifically included therein.
(d) Exception: In addition to his or her duties of Police Commissioner, the Council may approve the Police Commissioner as a sworn police officer if the Police Commissioner can pass all state certification requirements that are established to be qualified as a police officer. The Police Commissioner shall have all the same powers and may conduct the same duty as other police officers within the City, but shall not be counted in the roster as a police officer and shall not qualify under the police pension system. The Police Commissioner shall not receive additional pay unless approved by Council and can only serve as a sworn officer after receiving state certification and only as long as he or she serves as Police Commissioner.
(e) All appointments and promotions of police officers shall be in accordance with the Civil Service provisions of the Third-Class City Code and shall be subject to Council approval. Duty assignments by the Police Commissioner or Police Chief shall fall outside the Civil Service provisions of the Third Class City Code.
(Ord. 5-2023. Passed 3-21-23.)