98-03 AMENDING CITY CODE - CHAPTER 13 - POLICE DEPARTMENT

Home Browse Search

� . . � DECATUR POLICE DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM#98-02 January 19, 1998 MEMORANDUM FOR: onorable Mayor Terry Howley and City Council FROM: James Willi , ity Manager Michael L. Mo en, Chief of Police 1'�,y�, �, Sgt. Clifford Kretsinger SUBJECT: Decatur Police Department Auxiliary Unit Residency PURPOSE: The purpose of this memorandum is to secure council acceptance to a change in ' Decatur City Ordinance, Chapter 13, Section 7, regarding residency for auxiliary police officers. BACKGROUND: The Decatur Police Department has enjoyed the services of the police auxiliary unit for the past 38 years. The auxiliary unit is comprised of trained citizens from the community who give up their personal time to serve in whatever capacity that is required of them. They ride with police officers providing normal police patrol, provide security and traffic control for all city paxades, special events and city disasters. Their dedication and tireless service to this community and the police department is very much appreciated in a time when community service and law enforcement works hand in hand. Recently, the Decatur Police Department completed the process of accepting applications to fill open positions within the auxiliary police unit. During the process, several candidates filed applications but were denied acceptance because of the residency rule found in the City of Decatur Ordinance, Chapter 13, Section 7, (Qualifications and Limitations on Duties)..."Auxiliary policeman shall be residents of the City of Decatur." The candidates lost to this section of the ordinance were of high quality and would have been accepted had it not been for the residency requirement. RECOMMENDATION: Considering the current contract between the City of Decatur and the Decatur Police Benevolent and Protective Association Labor Committee, Article 2, Section 1 (Place of Residency), officers are allowed to reside within the corporate limits of Macon County and within (15) miles of the corporate limits of the City of Decatur. It is my recommendation that the City Ordinance be modified to reflect the labor agreement and allow auxiliary police officers the same residency requirements.