Source: https://www.ecode360.com/27480851
Timestamp: 2020-02-17 22:53:41
Document Index: 782292477

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', 'art 3', '§ 301', '§ 302', '§ 303', '§ 304', '§ 311', '§ 312', '§ 313', '§ 314', '§ 315', '§ 316', '§ 317', '§ 1', '§ 1381', '§ 4904', '§ 2161', '§ 313', '§ 314', '§ 314', '§ 313', '§ 313', '§ 313', '§ 316', '§ 313', '§ 2161', '§ 313', '§ 313', '§ 312', 'art 38']

Borough of Elizabethtown, PA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Ch 1 Pt 3 POLICE DEPARTMENT
Ch 1 Pt 3 Art A Established.
§ 1-301 Department of Police Established; Salaries.
§ 1-302 Powers and Duties of Police.
§ 1-303 Civil Service Commission to be Created.
§ 1-304 Part Time Police.
Ch 1 Pt 3 Art B Civil Service Commission.
§ 1-311 Definition of Terms.
§ 1-312 The Commission.
§ 1-313 Applications and Qualifications.
§ 1-314 Examination and Grading Procedure.
§ 1-315 Certification of the List of Eligibles and Appointment.
§ 1-316 Suspensions, Removals and Reductions in Rank.
§ 1-317 Forms.
Part 3 POLICE DEPARTMENT
Ord. No. 992
Administration and Government: Police Department
Ch 1 Pt 3
A Established.
§ 301 Department of Police Established; Salaries.
§ 302 Powers and Duties of Police.
§ 303 Civil Service Commission to be Created.
§ 304 Part Time Police.
B Civil Service Commission.
§ 311 Definition of Terms.
§ 312 The Commission.
§ 313 Applications and Qualifications.
§ 314 Examination and Grading Procedure.
§ 315 Certification of the List of Eligibles and Appointment.
§ 316 Suspensions, Removals and Reductions in Rank.
§ 317 Forms.
[Res. 6/15/1954, 6/15/1954; as amended by Ord. 376, 8/19/1958; by Ord. 558, 12/19/1972; by Ord. 829, 11/15/2001]
There shall be established in the Borough of Elizabethtown a Department of Police which shall consist of sufficient members to maintain law and order within the Borough limits, as affixed from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council.
[Res. 6/15/1954, 6/15/1954]
The members of said police force shall have such powers and duties as are set forth in the Borough Code and in other applicable Acts of Assembly.
Immediately upon and after appointments shall be made by the Borough Council, which shall bring the total number of full-time policemen to three, there shall be created in conformity with the Act of Assembly, a Civil Service Commission, as provided by law.
[Ord. 600, 12/3/1977, §§ 1-3; as amended by Ord. 829, 11/15/2001]
The Borough Council of the Borough of Elizabethtown hereby declares its intent to create and hereby creates the position of part time police officer.
Part time police officers shall be appointed by and shall receive as compensation for their services the pay established for the position from time to time by the police collective bargaining agreement.
Part time police while on active duty shall have the same powers as and the same duties as full time police officers of the Borough of Elizabethtown.
[Ord. 899, 11/20/2008]
The Borough Council of the Borough of Elizabethtown, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
The Borough Council of the Borough of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.
The Borough Manager of the Borough of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.
The Secretary of the Borough of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.
The submission to the appointing authority pursuant to its request of three names taken from the eligible list developed by the Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service Commission may derive the eligible list either from applications made directly to the Borough or from the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association joint hiring process.
The Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission of the Borough of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.
The Civil Service Commission of the Borough of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.
A person whose name is recorded on a current eligible list or furlough list, however derived.
The list of names of persons who have passed all examinations for a particular position in the Police Department, whether administered directly by the Civil Service Commission, its designee or by the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association through its joint hiring process.
The series of tests given to candidates to determine their qualifications for a position in the Police Department, whether administered directly by the Civil Service Commission, its designee or by the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association through its joint hiring process.
The list containing the names of persons temporarily laid off from positions in the Police Department because of a reduction in the number of officers.
For purposes of these rules and regulations, an entry-level, sworn, full-time position in the Police Department.
An officer in the Police Department who has been appointed from an eligible list but who has not yet completed the work test period.
A change to a different position or rank which results in a decrease in salary and/or position where the employee fulfilled all of the requirements of these rules and regulations for both the prior and current position or rank. However, a decrease in salary without a change to a different position or rank shall not necessarily constitute a reduction in rank.
The Secretary of the Civil Service Commission of the Borough of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.
The temporary separation, with or without pay, of a police officer from the Police Department (does not apply to layoffs or furloughs).
Gender. The words "he," "his," "him" and "men," when used in these rules and regulations, represent both the masculine and the feminine genders.
The Commission shall consist of three Commissioners who shall be residents of the Borough and shall be appointed by the Borough Council initially to serve for the terms of two, four and six years, and as terms thereafter expire shall be appointed for terms of six years.
Any vacancy occurring in the Commission for any reason whatsoever shall be filled by the Borough Council for the unexpired term within the period of 30 days after such vacancy occurs.
Each member of the Commission, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of his/her office, shall take an oath or affirmation to support the Constitution of the United States and of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and to perform his/her official duties with fidelity. No Civil Service Commissioner shall receive compensation.
Offices Incompatible with Civil Service Commissioner. No Commissioner shall at the same time hold an elective or appointed office under the United States government, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any political subdivision of the Commonwealth, except that one member of the Commission may be a member of the Council of the Borough. One Commissioner may be a member of the teaching profession.
Organization of Commission; Quorum. The Commission first appointed shall organize within 10 days of its appointment and shall elect one of its members as its Chairperson and one as the Secretary. The Commission shall thereafter meet and organize on the first Monday of January of each even-numbered year. Two members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, and no action of the Commission shall be valid unless it shall have the concurrence of at least two members.
[Amended by Ord. 967, 12/18/2014]
Duties of Chairperson. The Chairperson, or in his or her absence the Vice Chairperson, shall preside at all meetings and hearings of the Commission, decide all points of order or procedure and perform any duties required by law or these rules and regulations.
Duties of the Secretary. The Secretary or his or her designee (attorney, etc.) shall carry on, at the direction of the Commission, all official correspondence of the Commission, send out all notices required by law and these rules and regulations, keep a record of each examination or other official action of the Commission and perform all other duties required by law or these rules and regulations.
Meetings. Except for the biennial organization meeting, all meetings shall be held either at the call of the Chairperson or at the call of two members of the Commission. The Commission shall have the discretion to determine whether meetings shall be open to the public when not specifically regulated by law or these rules and regulations. The Secretary of the Commission shall give each Commissioner 24 hours' notice, in writing, of each and every meeting of the Commission.
Clerks and Supplies. The Borough Council shall furnish the Commission with such supplies and clerical assistance as may be necessary for the Commission to fulfill its duties. In addition, the Commission may retain counsel, and any other consultants or experts, including physicians and psychiatrists, as are necessary. The elected and appointed officials of the Borough shall assist the Commission with all reasonable and appropriate efforts, including compensation for any counsel or experts retained by the Commission.
Amendment of Rules and Regulations. The Commission may amend, revise, void or replace these rules and regulations for any reason by action of a majority of the Commission at any properly convened meeting of the Commission. Before any changes to these rules and regulations become effective, those changes must be approved by the Borough Council. These rules and regulations, and any amendments thereto, shall be made available to the public for distribution or inspection.
Minutes and Records.
The Commission shall keep minutes of its proceedings and records of examinations and other official actions. All records of the Commission shall be preserved and disposed of according to the Retention and Disposition Schedule for Records of Pennsylvania Municipalities issued by the Local Government Records Committee under the authority of 53 Pa.C.S.A. § 1381 et seq.
Any and all records related to recommendations of applicants for appointment filed with the Commission shall be open to public inspection, subject to reasonable regulation. The Secretary shall keep minutes of its proceedings, showing the vote of each member upon each question. If the member is absent or fails to vote, the Secretary shall indicate that fact in the minutes. Records relating to disciplinary actions shall be open to the public unless sealed in accordance with these regulations.
The Commission shall have the power to issue subpoenas over the signature of the Chairperson, or his/her designee, to require the attendance of witnesses and the production of records and papers at any hearing. The fees of such witnesses for attendance and travel shall be the same as for witnesses appearing in the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County and shall be paid from appropriations for the incidental expense of the Commission.
All officers in public service and employees of the Borough shall attend and testify when required to do so by the Commission.
If any person shall refuse or neglect to obey any subpoena issued by the Commission, upon conviction of such refusal or neglect, that person shall be sentenced to pay a fine not to exceed $600 plus costs and, in default of the payment of such fine and cost, shall be imprisoned not to exceed 30 days.
If any person shall refuse or neglect to obey any subpoena, the Commission may apply by petition to the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County for its subpoena, requiring the attendance of such persons before the Commission or the court to testify and to produce any records and papers necessary, and in default thereof shall be held in contempt of court.
Annual Report. The Commission shall make an annual report to the Borough Council, containing a brief summary of its work during the year and a full accounting for any expenditures of public monies. The annual report shall be available for public inspection.
Eligibility for Examination. In order to be eligible for participation in any examination for any position with the Police Department, every applicant must submit a completed application form to the Commission or to the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association through its joint hiring process which the Commission is authorized to use as part of its testing procedure before the deadline stated by the Commission for that specific examination. The application form is incorporated into these rules and regulations by reference and is available from the Borough. The alternative application and testing procedure administered by the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association through its joint hiring process, as amended, is available from the Borough and from the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association and is incorporated by reference. The applicant must make an oath or affirmation that the application is completed truthfully, and the applicant is subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Discrimination. The Borough is an equal opportunity employer. It is the Borough's and the Commission's policy to grant equal employment opportunities to qualified persons without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, veteran's status, marital status or non-job-related physical or mental handicap or disability. The Borough and the Commission will provide equal opportunities in employment and promotion.
Availability. Application forms shall be available to all interested persons from the Borough Police Department and from such other offices and officers that the Commission, from time to time, may choose to designate, including the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association through its joint hiring process.
Age and Residency Requirements. All applicants must have reached their 21st birthday before the deadline for submitting completed applications. An applicant need not be a resident of the Borough. The Council of the Borough may authorize the Commission, by rule or regulation, to require officers to comply with existing and future residency requirements after appointment to such position.
General Qualifications: All Applicants. Every applicant for any position in the Police Department shall possess a diploma from an accredited high school or a graduate equivalency diploma. In addition, every applicant must be a United States citizen, be physically and mentally fit to perform all of the essential job functions of a police officer and, prior to appointment, possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Civil Service Commission may authorize consideration of applicants for the position of police officer who have not completed all police training required by 53 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2161 to 2164. However, in accordance with said Act, no police officer who may be hired shall be eligible to receive any salary, compensation or other consideration for the performance of duties as a police officer, nor shall any police officer engage in the enforcement of criminal laws or the enforcement of moving traffic violations or be authorized to carry a firearm until such person has met all requirements required by the Commission and has been certified by the Commission to act in the position as a police officer.
General Qualifications: Applicants for Corporal, Sergeant.
In addition to meeting the qualifications in Subsection 5, above, all applicants for a promotional position, except Chief, shall have not received a formal written reprimand for one year prior to the deadline for submitting applications and shall not have been suspended at any time two years prior too the deadline for submitting applications. Any formal written reprimand or suspension to which the applicant has timely appealed pursuant to a grievance procedure or these rules and regulations shall be disregarded unless the appeal is resolved prior to the creation of the eligibility list.
The Civil Service Commission shall post in a conspicuous place in the Police Department a notice for promotional exams. All qualified officers shall notify the Commission within 30 days of the posted notice of their intent to take the examination posted. Notification shall be in writing and addressed to the Commission.
All applicants shall have continuous prior service with the Police Department of Elizabethtown Borough as follows:
An applicant for the position of corporal shall have at least three years of continuous service with the Department.
An applicant for the position of sergeant shall have at least five years of continuous experience with the Police Department and have attained and held the rank of corporal for a period of at least one year.
All applicants for promotions shall be capable of performing all of the essential job functions for that rank as outlined in the official manual.
Eligible candidates may not be serving a probationary period at time of application.
Rejection of Applicant. The Commission may refuse to examine or, if examined, may refuse to certify as eligible after examination any applicant who is found to lack any of the minimum qualifications for examination prescribed in these rules and regulations for the particular position for which the applicant has applied. In addition, the Commission may refuse to examine or, if examined, may refuse to certify any applicant who is physically or mentally unfit to perform the full duties of the position applied for, or who is a habitual substance abuser, or who is guilty of any crime involving moral turpitude or of infamous or notoriously disgraceful conduct, or who has been dismissed from public service for delinquency or misconduct in office, or who is affiliated with any group whose policies or activities are subversive to the forms of government set forth in the constitutions and laws of the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Recording and Filing of Applications. Applications for positions in the Police Department shall be received at the Borough building only after the position(s) have been properly advertised and before the deadline for receiving applications, which must be set forth in the public advertisement. Applications will be received by the Borough officer designated in the public advertisement or that officer's designee. That person shall record the receipt of all applications and provide each applicant with notice of the time and place for the first portion of the testing procedure, the written examination. Any application containing material errors or omissions may, at the discretion of the Commission, be returned to the applicant for correction prior to the deadline for filing applications, after which no new applications or amended applications will be accepted. All applications must be returned in person or, if mailed, postmarked by the established closing date. Applications filed late will not be accepted.
Hearing for Disqualified Applicants. Any applicants or other persons who believe that they are aggrieved by the actions of the Commission in refusing to examine or to certify them as eligible after examination may request a hearing before the Commission. Within 10 days after such request, the Commission shall designate a time and place for the hearing. The applicant or aggrieved party may appear personally or by counsel and may present testimony and evidence. The applicant or aggrieved party must make his/her request for a hearing in writing within 10 calendar days of the date when the party knew or should have known of the Commission's action which is being challenged.
Public Notice. The Commission shall conspicuously post in the Borough building notice of the time and place of every examination, together with the information as to the type of position to be filled, the requirements for that position, where applications may be obtained for the examination, and the deadline for filing those applications. In addition, at least two weeks prior to each examination, publication of the notice shall occur in at least one newspaper of general circulation and/or a newspaper circulating generally in the Borough.
General Examination Requirements for the Position of Police Officer. The examination for police officer will consist of a written and an oral examination which will be graded on a one-hundred-point scale, with the written examination representing 60% of the final score and the oral examination representing 40% of the final score. In addition, each candidate will undergo a content-based task test and a background investigation. These tests and investigation will be graded on a pass/fail basis for each applicant. After an applicant has been extended an offer of employment, final appointment shall be contingent upon the applicant passing a physical and psychological examination. The written examination may also be administered by the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association through its joint hiring process.
General Examination Requirements for the Position of Corporal and Sergeant.
The examination for the positions of corporal and sergeant shall include a written and an oral examination which will be graded on a one-hundred-point scale, with the written examination representing 60% of the final score and the oral examination representing 40% of the final score. In addition, each applicant will undergo a content-based task test which will be graded on a pass/fail basis for every applicant.
After an applicant has been extended an offer of promotion, the final appointment to the promotional position shall be contingent upon the applicant passing a physical and psychological examination.
Notice of Examination. The Commission may appoint a written examination administrator, an oral examination administrator, a content-based task examiner, a medical examiner, a polygraphist and a psychological examiner to conduct the appropriate examination required by these rules and regulations. The administrator of the written and the physical exams may be, but is not limited to, a member of the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association.
Written Examinations. The written examination shall be graded on a one-hundred-point scale, and an applicant must score 70% or higher in order to continue in the application process. Applicants scoring less than 70% shall be rejected by the Commission or its designee. Within 45 days after the administration of the written examination, all applicants shall be given written notice of their test results, and passing applicants shall be scheduled for an oral examination appointment. If the written test is administered by the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association through its joint hiring process, then the top 12 applicants shall be scheduled for an oral examination appointment with the Commission or its designee. If the Commission determines that additional oral examinations beyond the top 12 applicants are required, it will schedule them.
Oral Examinations. If the Commission administers the written test, then every applicant who scored 70% or higher in the written examination shall be given an oral examination, which will be graded on a 100 point scale, with a score of 70% or higher necessary for passing. Alternatively, if the written test is administered by the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association through its joint hiring process, then the top 12 applicants shall be scheduled for an oral examination appointment with the Commission or its designee. If the Commission determines that additional oral examinations beyond the top 12 applicants are required, it will schedule them. The oral examination shall involve questioning applicants on how they would handle situations relevant to police work. Within 45 days after the applicants' oral examination, they shall be informed of the score in their oral examination and total overall score, and each passing applicant shall be informed of the date for the content-based task test. If the applicant has been part of the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association joint hiring process, then the content-based task test will have been completed prior to the oral examination.
Veterans' Preference Points. Pursuant to the Veterans' Preference Act, any applicant for the position of police officer who qualifies as a soldier under this Act shall receive an additional 10 points on top of his/her total score if that applicant had received passing scores under Subsections 1, 4 and 5, above. Veterans' preference points do not apply to promotional examinations.
Agility. Each candidate shall complete the following circuit within 2 1/2 minutes.
Sprint 20 yards.
Drag 150 pounds for 50 feet.
Climb a five-foot wall.
Five-foot horizontal jump (may be done while running).
Stair climb; climb up and down a set of steps while carrying a departmental first aid kit.
Sprint 20 yards to the end.
Reverse direction and complete the entire circuit a second time.
Trigger Pull. Pull the trigger of the Department-issued firearm nine times (strong hand only) within a six-inch ring without touching the ring within 15 seconds.
Driving. Each candidate will complete a pre-arranged driving course. (Note: one cone allowed to be hit.) This course will include:
Ess turns.
Three-point turn (backing).
The Commission shall request the Chief of Police or the Chief's designee to conduct a background investigation on the top applicants for the open position. If more than one police officer position is being offered, background checks will be performed on the quantity of candidates as decided on and directed by the Commission. If the Commission determines that additional background investigations beyond the top applicants are required, it will schedule them. The background investigation shall include interviews with the candidate's family, acquaintances, current and former employers, current and former neighbors, references and current and former teachers and school officials. In addition, the candidate's credit history and record of criminal convictions should be investigated, and the candidate will be administered a polygraph examination by a certified polygraphist. The candidate may be interviewed directly when the information collected during the background investigation requires clarification or explanation.
After the background investigation is completed, the Chief or his/her designee shall make a written recommendation to the Commission on whether the candidate is appropriate for consideration for appointment as a police officer.
Appropriateness of the candidate shall be based on the criteria set forth in § 313, Subsection 7, of these rules and regulations. This recommendation shall be in writing; and if the recommendation is to disqualify, then a detailed written explanation of the reasons for disqualification must be included. The Commission shall make the final determination on whether the information collected during the background investigation warrants rejection of the candidate.
Within 60 days after the Commission considers the recommendation of the Chief of Police or his/her designee, each candidate will be informed of whether he/she has passed the background investigation.
At the completion of the examination requirements set forth in § 314, written examination, oral examination and background investigation, the Commission shall rank all passing candidates on a list, with the candidate receiving the highest score at the top of the list and the candidate receiving the lowest passing score at the bottom of the list. Candidates who qualify for veterans preference points shall have those points added to his/her passing score prior to being ranked on the eligibility list but after the completion of the examination requirements, set forth in § 314, written examination, oral examination (but before the background investigation). For promotional positions, fulfilling the performance requirement set forth in § 313, Subsection G, is also required. In the case of tied scores, the tie will be broken by giving preference to the candidate who submitted a final completed application first. If both tied candidates submitted his/her complete applications on the same day, then the candidates shall be ranked in alphabetical order by surname.
The eligibility list should be valid for one year from the date the Commission ranks all passing candidates, assigns veterans' preference points and formally adopts the eligibility list. The Commission may, at its sole discretion, by a vote of the majority of the Commission at a duly authorized Commission meeting, extend the list for an additional year. The Commission may, at its sole discretion, void an eligibility list at any time for any reason.
If no furlough list exists or if positions remain to be filled after all of the officers on the furlough list were offered re-employment, every position, except that of Chief of Police, shall be filled only in the following manner:
The Borough Council shall notify the Commission of any vacancy which is to be filled and shall request the certification of three names from the list of eligibles.
If three names are not available, then the Commission may certify the name(s) remaining on the list.
The Borough Council shall make an appointment from one of the three names certified, with sole reference to the merits and fitness of the candidates. However (for initial appointment to the position of police officer), when one of the three candidates on the certified list is a veteran, that candidate shall be selected.
The Borough Council may fill any vacancy in an existing position in the Police Department which occurs as a result of retirement, resignation, disability or death by the reappointment or reinstatement of a former employee of the Police Department who had been furloughed. Except for physical and psychological examinations, no other testing shall be required for a furloughed employee or a rehired or reappointed employee.
The Borough Council may object to one or more of the persons certified for the reasons set forth in § 313, Subsection 7, of these rules and regulations. If the candidate to whom the Borough Council objects fails to timely exercise the rights of appeal under § 313, Subsection 9, or if the Commission declines to uphold the appeal, the Commission shall strike the name of that candidate from the eligibility list and certify the next-highest name of inclusion on the list of three candidates for each name stricken off.
Appointment of Chief of Police. In the case of a vacancy in the office of Chief of Police or equivalent official, the appointing authority has full discretion in selecting the individual to fill such position. If the appointing authority requests the Commission to subject that person to a noncompetitive examination, and if that person successfully passes the noncompetitive examination, then the Commission shall notify the appointing authority of the results of the examination and that person may only be removed from the position of Chief of Police for the reasons set forth in § 316, Subsection L.
Physical and Psychological Examinations. After the Borough Council selects a candidate from the certified list of three for appointment to the vacant position, such candidate shall be offered the position; however, that offer shall be conditional and subject to a physical examination and a psychological examination by the appropriate medical experts. If the candidate successfully passes the physical and psychological examinations, then that employee shall be appointed to the vacant position in the Police Department for which the application was submitted. Failure to pass either examination shall result in the candidate being rejected for appointment. The rejected candidate may appeal this decision under § 313, Subsection 9.
Every successful candidate to the position of police officer or to a promotional position with the Police Department shall serve a twelve-month probationary period (for newly hired police officers, the one-year probationary period shall not commence until after the officer has completed training under 53 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2161 to 2164).
During the probationary period, a newly hired officer may only be dismissed for the reasons set forth in § 313, Subsection 7. A promoted officer, during probation, may be returned to a prior rank only for cause for the reasons set forth in § 313, Subsection 7.
However, at the end of the twelve-month probationary period, if the conduct of the probationer has not been satisfactory to the Borough Council, the probationer shall be notified, in writing, that the appointment will not be permanent. At that time, a newly hired officer's employment shall end, and a promoted officer shall return to a previous rank. Any officer who is not informed in writing that his/her performance has been unsatisfactory prior to the end of his probationary period shall receive a permanent appointment to the new position. Any probationer who is notified in writing that his appointment will not be made permanent has no right of appeal under these rules.
No person appointed to a position in the Police Department pursuant to these rules and regulations may be suspended without pay or removed, and no person promoted in rank pursuant to these rules and regulations may be reduced in rank, except for the following reasons:
Physical or mental disability affecting the officer's ability to continue in service, in which case the officer shall receive an honorable discharge from service.
Violation of any law which provides that such violation constitutes a misdemeanor or felony.
Engaging or participating in or conducting any political or election campaign other than the officer's exercise of his or her own right of suffrage.
No officer shall be removed for religious, racial or political reasons. A statement of any charges made against any officer so employed shall be furnished to the officer within five days after those charges have been adopted by the Borough Council.
If, for reasons of economy or other reasons, it shall be deemed necessary by the Borough to reduce the number of full-time police officers in the Department, then the Borough shall apply the following procedure:
If the number of full-time police officers eligible for retirement is insufficient to effect the necessary reductions in numbers, or if there are no persons eligible for retirement, or if no retirement or pension fund exists, then the reductions shall be effected by furloughing the person or persons, including probationers, last appointed to the respective force.
Such removal shall be accomplished by furloughing in numerical order commencing with the person last appointed until such reduction shall have been accomplished. In the event that the appointing authority decides to increase the Police Department, the furloughed officers shall be reinstated in order of their seniority in the Department if the furloughed officer accepts reinstatement in writing within 30 days of receiving notice of the opening. These reductions-in-force provisions are not applicable to the Chief of Police.
Notice of Suspension, Removal or Reduction in Rank.
Whenever a police officer is suspended, removed or reduced in rank, the specific charges warranting such actions shall be stated in writing by the Borough Council. The charges shall be stated clearly and in sufficient detail to enable the officer to understand the charges and to allow the officer an opportunity to respond to those charges. The charges shall specify the subsection of Subsection 1, above which provides the basis for the disciplinary action as well as an explanation of the factual circumstances upon which the appointing authority relied in finding a violation of Subsection 1, above.
Within five days after the Borough Council has voted to impose the disciplinary action, a written statement of the charges shall be delivered to the officer, either by personal service or by certified and registered mail. In addition, the charges shall notify the officer of the right to appeal under Subsection, 4, below of these rules and regulations. A copy of the statement of charges shall also be served upon the members of the Civil Service Commission.
Hearings on Suspensions, Removals and Reductions in Rank.
The officer who has been suspended, removed or reduced in rank may appeal the decision of the Borough Council by written notice to the Secretary of the Commission at 600 S. Hanover Street, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, 17022, requesting a hearing. This request shall be received by the Commission within 10 days after the officer received notice of the discipline. The officer may make written answers to any charges filed not later than the date fixed for the hearing. Failure of the officer to provide written answers to any of the charges shall not be deemed an admission by the officer.
The Commission shall schedule a hearing within 10 days from the officer's written request for a hearing, unless continued by the Commission for cause at the request of the Commission, the Borough Council, or the officer. At any such hearing, the officer against whom the charges have been made may be present and maybe represented by counsel and may call witnesses and present testimony and documentation in defense. The Borough may also be represented by counsel, call witnesses and present evidence as is necessary to support the charges. A stenographic record of all testimony shall be taken at every hearing and preserved by the Commission. In the event the charges are dismissed, the record shall be sealed and shall not be available for public inspection.
In conducting the hearing, the Commission's standard of review shall be to determine whether sufficient evidence has been presented to support the statutory reason for the disciplinary action. If the Commission finds that sufficient evidence has been introduced to support the charge, the Commission shall not modify the penalty imposed by the Borough Council unless it finds that the penalty imposed was arbitrary, discriminatory or an abuse of the Council's discretion. In considering the appropriateness of the discipline, the Commission shall not substitute its judgment for that of the Borough Council. The Commission may request posthearing briefs and shall issue a written decision containing specific findings of fact and conclusions of law within 60 days of receipt of the hearing transcript and any briefs.
All testimony shall be given under oath administered by the Chairperson or in the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chairperson. The Commission shall have the power to issue subpoenas as set forth in § 312, Subsection 11. The hearing shall be open to the public unless, prior to the commencement of the hearing, a written or oral request to close the hearing is made by either the charged officer or the Borough. A stenographic record of all testimony taken at said hearings shall be filed with and preserved by the Commission, which record shall be sealed and not be available for public inspection in the event the charges are dismissed.
If the Commission sustains the charges, the officer who was suspended, removed or reduced in rank may file an appeal with the Court of Common Pleas within 30 days from the date of entry by the Commission of its final order. No order of suspension shall be made by the Commission for a period longer than one year. In the event that the Commission fails to uphold the charges, then the person sought to be suspended, removed or demoted shall be reinstated with full pay for the period of the suspension, removal or demotion, and no charges related to the suspension, removal or reduction in rank shall be officially recorded in the officer's record.
The Commission shall from time to time have the authority to adopt forms to be used to implement the provisions of this Part 38. Such forms may include but not necessarily be limited to Application for Position of Police Officer, Conditional Offer of Employment, Content-Based Task Test, and Personal Injury Waiver form. Such forms as may be adopted from time to time shall be available through the Elizabethtown Borough Offices.