Chapter 2.19
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Sections:
2.19.020 CHIEF OF POLICE - POSITION CREATED AND APPOINTMENT.
2.19.010 DEPARTMENT CREATED.
There is hereby created the City Police Department. The department shall be supervised by the Chief of Police who shall serve as its director, who shall have complete charge of all of the work of the department, and who shall be responsible for hiring and supervising employees of the department. (Ord. 4810, Added, 09/14/2002)
2.19.020 CHIEF OF POLICE - POSITION CREATED AND APPOINTMENT.
There is hereby created the position known as Chief of Police. With the exception of the incumbent Chief of Police occupying the position on the effective date of the ordinance creating this exemption1, the position of Chief of Police shall be exempt from and shall not be a classified position under the City’s Civil Service System. The Chief of Police shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the City Council, on the basis of professional experience, education and demonstrated knowledge of accepted practices relating to the duties of the department. All appointees to the position of Chief of Police are terminable at will by the Mayor except for the incumbent Chief of Police who shall be subject to the City’s Civil Service rules and regulations relating to demotion and termination. (Ord. 5190 §3, 2012: Ord. 4810, Added, 09/14/2002)
2.19.030 DUTIES.
The Chief of Police shall be the chief police officer of the city responsible for maintaining the peace of the city. The Chief of Police shall have the responsibility for appointment, removal and suspension of employees of the department subject to the city’s civil service rules and regulations, the city’s personnel policies, and labor agreements. The chief shall be responsible for the management of the police department and the administration of the department’s budget as authorized and directed by the City Council and the Mayor. The Chief of Police shall perform such other duties as the City Council or Mayor may direct or as may be required by law. (Ord. 4810, Added, 09/14/2002)
2.19.040 WARRANT OFFICERS.
(a) Position Created. There is hereby established the position of warrant officer. The position of warrant officer shall be maintained within the City Police Department. The number of warrant officers, their duties, qualifications and compensation shall be established by the City’s budget, personnel policies and collective bargaining agreement(s) as applicable.
(b) Exempt from Certain Benefits. Warrant officers shall not be entitled to death, disability, or retirement benefits pursuant to Chapter 41.26 RCW entitled "Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Retirement System" (LEOFF) on the basis of service as a warrant officer as described in this section.
(c) Training. The Chief of Police shall establish training requirements consistent with the job description of warrant officer established by the City. Training requirements must be approved by the Criminal Justice Training Commission.
(d) Authority. To the extent authorized by law and as authorized and directed by the Chief of Police, the City’s warrant officers shall be vested with the special authority to make arrests authorized by warrants and to provide service of civil and criminal process and other related duties. Process issuing from any court that is directed to the Police Department may be served or enforced by a City warrant officer as authorized and directed by the Chief of Police. (Ord. 5278 §1, 2015)
Code reviser’s note: Ordinance No. 5190, effective August 27, 2012, added this exemption.