Sec. 58-33Same—Police officers

(a) Qualifications. Any person employed by the city as a police officer shall have the following qualifications:

(1) Be at least 18 years of age;

(2) Be a citizen of the United States;

(3) Have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent;

(4) Not have been convicted, by any state or by the federal government, of any crime, the punishment for which could have been imprisonment in a federal or state prison or institution, nor shall such person have been convicted of sufficient misdemeanors to establish a pattern of disregard for the law;

(5) Be fingerprinted and a search made of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record;

(6) Possess good moral character as determined by investigation under procedures established by the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council;

(7) Be found, after examination by a licensed physician or surgeon, to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect such person's exercising of the powers or duties of a police officer;

(8) Complete satisfactorily at least a basic course of 240 hours of instruction within 12 months of the date of appointment as a police officer, except that an extension may be granted by the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council on account of illness, injury, military service, or other reasons deemed sufficient by such council.

(b) Bond and oath. Prior to entering upon the duties of their respective offices, all officers of the Police Department shall execute a bond in the amount of $1,000.00 and shall take and subscribe an oath. All officers shall take and subscribe the same oath required of the chief of police as set out in section 54-32, paragraph (b), hereinabove.

(c) Duties. It shall be the duty of the officers of the police department to acquire a full knowledge of and to enforce all of the ordinances of the city and all statutes applicable therein, to become familiar with the rules and regulations established by the police chief concerning the discipline, good order, proper conduct, care, and management of the police department, and to respect and obey all orders of the police chief not in conflict with the law or ordinances of the city.

(d) Conduct. Every member of the police department shall conduct such person's self in a proper and law-abiding manner at all times and shall avoid the use of unnecessary force. Prohibited conduct shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) Absence from regular hours of duty without permission;

(2) Sleeping or loafing on duty;

(3) Insubordination or disobedience of orders;

(4) Engaging in any games of chance;

(5) Drinking any intoxicating beverage while on duty or in uniform;

(6) Wilful maltreatment of any prisoner or other person;

(7) Using violent, profane, or insolent language;

(8) Acting in a disorderly, immoral, or any other manner as to bring discredit upon the department;

(9) Giving out or releasing any information covering the affairs, business, or operation of the police department without the consent of the city council;

(10) Receiving or accepting a reward from any person for any services rendered in the line of duty;

(11) Accepting bribes of money, gifts, or other articles of apparent or actual value, or accepting any fee, reward, or gift of any kind from a person arrested or from any friend in such person's behalf while such person is in custody or after such person's release or discharge;

(12) Active participation in any political campaign to the neglect of official duty.

(e) Penalties for improper conduct. Any police officer violating the rules or regulations of the police department or of this Code, upon conviction therefor by the city council, after due notice and hearing, or upon the plea of guilty, shall be reprimanded, fined, suspended, or dismissed by the city council. Any one or more of such penalties may be imposed in the discretion of the city council.

(f) Arrest authority. Police officers shall have the power to make arrests and in exercising such power shall observe all requirements imposed by the United States constitution and by all other provisions of law.

(g) Entering private dwellings. No police officer shall enter a private dwelling without a search or arrest warrant unless such person is in pursuit of a fugitive whom the officer has personal knowledge or probable cause to believe has committed or attempted to commit a felony.

(h) Use of police department vehicles. No City of Ashburn police car shall be operated outside the city limits of the City of Ashburn, Georgia, except in the case of an emergency, in hot pursuit, or on official business.

History: (Ord. No. 09-08, § 1, 10-1-2009)