Sec. 58-32Same—Police chief

(a) Appointment and powers. The police chief shall be appointed by the mayor, by and with the advice and consent of city council, and shall be the chief executive officer of the police department, subject always to the orders and regulations of the mayor and council. In the exercise of official duties, the police chief shall have the power to establish and enforce rules and regulations for the government of the members and employees of the department, which rules shall, however, be consistent with the ordinances of the city and the laws of the state.

(b) Bond and oath. Prior to entering upon the discharge of official duties, the police chief shall execute a bond in the amount of $1,000.00 and is required to take an oath, which shall be taken and subscribed before some officer authorized by law to administer oaths. The following oath is required:

"I, ___________, swear or affirm that I am not incumbent in any office of trust in this state, of the United States, or of any foreign state, and should I seek such office of trust, my separation from the City of Ashburn shall be instanter; that I am not the holder of any unaccounted public monies due this or any other state or political subdivision or authority thereto; that I am qualified to hold the office to which I am appointed for so long as I am employed with the City of Ashburn; that I will support or defend the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the State of Georgia, and I will faithfully perform and discharge the duties of my position, conscientiously and without malice or partiality, to the best of my ability; I further swear or affirm to obey, to adhere to, to uphold, and to enforce the laws of the United States of America and the State of Georgia at all times; and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Governor of the State of Georgia, (the Chief of Police of the City of Ashburn Police Department,) and the officers appointed over me, according to law; so help me God."

(c) Duties: The police chief shall have the following duties:

(1) To attend, personally or by designated police officer, all regular meetings of the city council, any special or called meetings upon request of the mayor or any council member, and all trials before the municipal court;

(2) To see to the proper service of all summonses, subpoenas, citations, executions, attachments, and rules of the city council;

(3) To see to the collection of all fines and costs imposed by the municipal court;

(4) To see that the ordinances, rules, and regulations of the city and all statutes applicable therein are faithfully enforced;

(5) To preserve the public peace, prevent infractions of the law, and arrest violators thereof;

(6) To protect the rights of persons and property;

(7) To oversee the conduct of the officers and employees of the police force, and to be held strictly responsible for such conduct and for the general good order of the department;

(8) To keep adequate records of all personnel and equipment of the department including a log of all questions, activities, and investigations;

(9) To submit a monthly report to the city council outlining the number and type of arrests for state offenses, the number and type of cases involving violations of municipal ordinances, and the number of arrests made and cases reported by each police officer;

(10) To submit monthly to the Georgia Department of Public Safety the uniform crime report prescribed by law; and

(11) To discharge such other duties as may be required of such office by the executive officer or the city council.

(d) Resignation, removal, death, or disability: In the event of resignation, removal, death, or disability of the police chief, the officer next in rank shall perform the duties of the chief until removal of such disability or until a successor has been duly appointed.