Police Department

V.S.A. tit. 24 Appendix, ch. 9, subch. 22

in effect

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 9, § 22.1 Police Commission and Police Department

22.1. Police Commission and Police Department The Police Commission shall consist of five legal voters appointed to serve for a term of three years, unless otherwise provided herein, and until their successors are appointed and qualified. Upon creation, two members shall be appointed for a term to expire on April 1 of the third calendar year after appointment; two members shall be appointed for a term to expire April 1 of the second calendar year after appointment; and one member shall be appointed for a term to expire April 1 of the calendar year following appointment. All terms shall thereafter expire on April 1 of the third calendar year following appointment. A person appointed to fill an unexpired term shall serve to the end of that term. The Mayor shall appoint a Chair and Vice Chair of the Commission from among the members of the Commission subject to the approval of the Board of Aldermen. The term of Chair and Vice Chair shall expire on April 1 of the year following appointment. Except at creation, at which time appointments will be denied by majority vote, all appointments to the Commission shall be made in a manner consistent with the provisions of this charter.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 9, § 22.2 Powers and duties of Police Commission

22.2. Powers and duties of Police Commission The Police Commission shall have the jurisdiction and control of the Police Department and of the police force of the City of Rutland. It shall have the power to make such rules and regulations as are necessary to govern its own actions and proceedings and to exercise jurisdiction and control of the Department. It may delegate this authority to the Chief of Police as it deems appropriate. It shall exercise all powers and duties as provided by charter and ordinance, or policy set by the Board of Aldermen. It shall prepare and submit to the Mayor as directed the annual budget of the Police Department. It shall appoint the Chief of Police.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 9, § 22.3 Eligibility of police commissioners

22.3. Eligibility of police commissioners No person shall serve as a police commissioner who has an immediate relative employed by the Rutland City Police Department. Immediate relative shall include spouse, children, stepchildren, parents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and other relatives who are actual members of the person’s household.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 9, § 22.4 Chief, appointment, removal

22.4. Chief, appointment, removal The Police Commission shall appoint a Chief of Police who shall hold that position during good behavior, and for a term not to exceed five years, and so long as the Chief shall render efficient service to the City unless sooner removed as hereinafter provided. Retirement of the Chief of Police appointed under this section shall be mandatory when the age of 65 is reached. The Chief may make appointment of subordinate officers as he or she may deem necessary. All qualifications being equal, the Chief shall appoint senior officers in the time of service to said subordinate positions. These officers shall hold office as long as in the opinion of the Chief of Police each is capable of performing his or her duties and is conscientious and efficient in the discharge of the same. Such officers may be removed by the Chief of Police by approval of the Board of Civil Authority, for any incapacity or misconduct that said Board may find sufficient.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 9, § 22.5 Powers and duties of Chief

22.5. Powers and duties of Chief Subject to the authority of the Police Commission, the Chief of Police shall have jurisdiction and control of the administration, disposition, and discipline of the Police Department and of the police force of the Department. Except as herein otherwise provided, he or she shall have the power to make such rules and regulations as are necessary in his or her opinion, to exercise jurisdiction and control of the Department, and shall have jurisdiction over the day to day operation of the Department. He or she shall have the sole power, and it shall be his or her duty, to preserve the public peace; suppress riots and insurrections; disperse unlawful or dangerous assemblages that obstruct free passage on or in public streets, sidewalks, parks, and other public places; protect the rights of persons and property; preserve order; direct and regulate the movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic under the ordinances, rules, and regulations of the City of Rutland or statutes of the State of Vermont to ensure the safety and convenience of the public; to observe all places of public amusement, all places of business, and other public places; enforce and prevent the violation of all federal, State, and local law, and ordinances, rules, and regulations in force in the City; and for these purposes, to detect and arrest all persons violating said laws, and he or she shall carry out such other devices as are inherent to the Office of Chief of Police.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 9, § 22.6 Temporary absence of Chief

22.6. Temporary absence of Chief In the event of temporary absence of the Chief of Police, the duties of Chief shall fall upon the subordinate officers, according to their rank, as established by the rules and regulations of the Police Department.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 9, § 22.7 Regular police officers; appointment

22.7. Regular police officers; appointment (a) All applicants for positions on the police force, except for the position of Chief of Police, shall file with the Chief their applications in writing, together with proof of graduation from an accredited high school or graduate equivalency diploma, on forms approved by the Chief, and shall be examined in such manner as the Chief of Police may prescribe with the approval of the Police Commission. A public record of all applicants for positions on the police force shall be maintained in the City Clerk’s office. (b) The Chief of Police, shall from time to time as the needs of the City may require, appoint from said applicants a sufficient number of police officers to ensure public safety and welfare. All appointments to the regular police force must be approved by the Police Commission. The number of regular police officers appointed shall not exceed the maximum number set forth in the City ordinances, except by specific approval of the Board of Aldermen.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 9, § 22.8 Tenure

22.8. Tenure All members of the regular police force, now serving or who shall hereinafter be appointed other than the Chief, shall be retained as such, unless discharged for good cause or due to economic reasons.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 9, § 22.9 Special police officers

22.9. Special police officers In addition to the regular police force, the Chief of Police shall have the power to appoint such special police officers as he or she may consider desirable and that present funding will support with approval of the Police Commission. The term “special police officers” shall be construed to mean police officers appointed to serve as auxiliary members to the regular police force as well as those police officers appointed at the request of private individuals, corporations, or firms for the protection of private property, and police officers appointed for special public services. Such special police officers shall receive pay from the City according to the service performed for the City. The Chief of Police may appoint a special police officer, with approval of the Police Commission, but only for such time as may elapse before a qualified applicant is available.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 9, § 22.10 Compensation

22.10. Compensation The compensation of all members of the Police Department, including that of Chief of Police, shall be fixed by the Board of Aldermen and all fees accruing to them under the laws of the State or the provisions of this charter shall belong to the City and shall be paid into the City Treasury by the court taxing same.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 9, § 22.11 Suspension

22.11. Suspension The Chief of Police shall have the power, for disciplinary purposes, to suspend any member of the Department, without pay, for a period not to exceed six weeks. The Police Commission shall have the power to suspend the Chief of Police for a period not to exceed two weeks. Amended 2011, No. M-5, § 2, eff. April 28, 2011.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 9, § 22.12 Service of criminal process

22.12. Service of criminal process All police officers shall have the authority in criminal causes returnable before the Rutland District or Superior Court, to serve and return within the State said criminal process. For such duties the Police Department shall be allowed the fees provided by law to sheriffs for similar services, which fee shall belong to the City, to be paid into the City Treasury whenever such police officers shall be under pay from the City. The said police officers shall have the power of constables in all matters arising under the criminal and police laws of the State and ordinances and police regulations of the City.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 9, § 22.13 Political activities

22.13. Political activities No member of the Police Department of the City of Rutland shall act as an officer of any political party, attend any political convention as a delegate, participate in any manner whatever in any canvass in behalf of or against any candidate for any City, county, State, or national office, campaign, or take any part whatever in political matters other than to vote, nor be a candidate for any public office or hold any public office.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 9, § 22.14 Vehicle replacement

22.14. Vehicle replacement It shall be the duty of the Police Commission through the Chief of Police to provide and maintain safe, reliable emergency police vehicles. Such vehicles, upon reaching three full years of service, shall be replaced as soon as practical. The Chief shall submit specifications as approved by the Police Commission to the City Clerk for immediate bid circulation and replacement of said vehicles.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 9, § 22.15 Monthly meetings

22.15. Monthly meetings The Police Commission shall meet at least once a month.

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/24APPENDIX/009Fetched: 10/21/2026