Athens City Code

The chief of police shall be appointed by and serve at the will of the city manager. He shall have general supervision over the police department and shall be responsible for the efficiency thereof. All police officers shall obey and comply with such orders and administrative rules and regulations as the police chief may officially issue.

(Code 1972, § 1-501; Code 1995, § 6-101)

Police officers shall preserve law and order within the city. They shall patrol the city and shall assist the city court during the trial of cases. Police officers shall also promptly serve any legal process issued by the city court.

(Code 1972, § 1-502; Code 1995, § 6-102)

All police officers shall wear such uniform and badge as the city council shall authorize and shall carry a service pistol and other non-lethal weapons at all times while on duty unless otherwise expressly directed by the chief for a special assignment.

(Code 1972, § 1-503; Code 1995, § 6-103)

Unless otherwise authorized or directed in this Code or other applicable law, an arrest of the person shall be made by a police officer in the following cases:

1. (1) When he is in possession of a warrant for the arrest of the person.
2. (2) When a civil offense is committed or a breach of the peace is threatened in the officer's presence by the person.
3. (3) When a felony has in fact been committed and the officer has reasonable cause to believe the person has committed it.

(Code 1972, § 1-504; Code 1995, § 6-104)

Based on the retention schedule as mandated by law, the police department shall keep a comprehensive and detailed record showing:

1. (1) All known or reported offenses or crimes committed within the corporate limits.
2. (2) All arrests made by police officers.
3. (3) All police investigations made, funerals convoyed, fire calls answered, and other miscellaneous activities of the police department.

(Code 1972, § 1-507; Code 1995, § 6-106)

The auxiliary police force shall be designated as the city police reserve. It shall be composed of a voluntary membership of not to exceed 25 members headed by the city chief of police. The members shall be part-time employees of the city police department and shall be included in workmen's compensation and liability insurance provided for employees of the city.

(Code 1972, § 1-601; Code 1995, § 6-201)

The chief of police shall have complete authority, control, and command over the police reserve force, subject to the provisions of this chapter. The chief may appoint as members thereof any person the chief may consider qualified and may reject any application for membership. The chief shall provide for the training of candidates for membership and for the further training of members. The city shall be responsible for payment for such training.

(Code 1972, § 1-603; Code 1995, § 6-203)

1. (1) No person shall be considered a member of the police reserve force until he has been duly appointed by the chief, registered on a roster kept by the chief, and until he has taken the oath provided for officers of the city police department and has been provided by the city with the bond provided for by law.
2. (2) Persons eligible for new membership shall be no less than 21 years of age and shall be citizens of the United States, residents of the county, and of excellent character and reputation. They shall be in excellent physical condition, mentally stable, and suffer from no ailment or disability which would limit or prevent their engaging in strenuous exercise or the use of firearms.

(Code 1972, § 1-604; Code 1995, § 6-204)

Membership of any person may be terminated at the will and pleasure of the chief. Any member may resign from the police reserve force at any time, but it shall be his duty to notify the chief of his resignation.

(Code 1972, § 1-605; Code 1995, § 6-205)

In addition to the penalties provided by law, any violation of law under color of the performance of his or her duties as a member of the police reserve force and any breach of the rules and regulations established by the chief may subject any member to summary dismissal, and the fact thereof may be published by order of the chief.

(Code 1972, § 1-606; Code 1995, § 6-206)

The chief shall prescribe the uniforms, badges, and insignia for members of the police reserve force and the manner in which the same shall be worn. The city will furnish uniforms at no expense to the members.

(Code 1972, § 1-607; Code 1995, § 6-207)

An identification card and such other insignia or evidence of identity as the chief may prescribe shall be issued to each member, who must carry such identification at all times while on duty and surrender them upon the termination of his membership.

(Code 1972, § 1-608; Code 1995, § 6-208)

The duties of the police reserve force, subject at all times to the direction, supervision, and control of the chief, shall be to assist the regular members of the police department in enforcement of the law and in the maintenance of peace and order at such times provided for and designated by the chief. The chief shall establish rules and regulations to govern the police reserve force, to fix the specific duties of its members, and to provide for the maintenance of discipline. He may change such orders from time to time. No member shall in any manner perform any act as a member of the police reserve force unless he is specifically designated for duty as such member at the time. The chief may prescribe duties other than those mentioned herein so long as they are not inconsistent with the provisions hereof.

(Code 1972, § 1-609; Code 1995, § 6-209)

1. (1) Members of the police reserve force shall be authorized, while on official duty as members of said reserve, to carry firearms in accordance with the provisions of T.C.A. § 39-17-1350 and as prescribed by the rules and regulations as set forth by the chief.
2. (2) Members of the police reserve force, while on official duty as members thereof, shall have the same arrest powers as regular officers of the city police department.

(Code 1972, § 1-610; Code 1995, § 6-210)

It shall be a civil offense for any person to wear a police reserve force uniform, badge or insignia, or to carry or display an identification card, or otherwise to deceitfully represent himself to be a member of, or connected with, the police reserve force, unless he is in fact a member thereof in good standing.

(Code 1972, § 1-611; Code 1995, § 6-211)