Spokane Municipal Code

Title 03 Administration and Personnel

Chapter 03.10 Police Division

1. The chief of police heads the police division and the police volunteer force, and regulates the extra-duty employment of officers in private security.

2. The police division is the primary law enforcement agency of the City with investigative, arrest and incidental powers over violations of federal, state and municipal laws, both criminal and traffic. In addition to patrol, surveillance, investigation and crime prevention education, division personnel perform administrative, communications, community relations, planning, records maintenance and training functions.

1. 1. The chief of the police division administers the Spokane police department and the police reserve force and has the authority to make rules and issue orders for the proper functioning of the division, consistent with law, council policy and the rules of the civil service commission.

1. 2. The commissioned members of the police division are, and have all the rights and authority conferred, by law, on law enforcement officers, peace officers and constables.

1. 3. Specifically, but without limitation, members of the police division have the duty and the power to investigate and arrest in connection with suspected violations of any law of the City, the State of Washington or the United States; to serve the process, writs and warrants of municipal court; and to enforce all orders issued in cases of emergency, including the establishment of cordon lines.

1. 4. Upon the retirement of a member of the police division, the mayor is authorized and is directed to deliver over to such retiring officer, to become the officer’s personal property, the pistol which, as a part of his service equipment, has been previously given over into the officer’s custody; that such pistol shall, by such delivery, be considered an added extra compensation for his services to the City and, upon such delivery, shall become the personal property of such officer. This provision shall have continuing effect from year to year, and shall be considered a part of each and every annual appropriation ordinance to be made hereafter.

1. 5. The division’s noncommissioned employees are in many cases classified as specialists by virtue of the City’s civil service classification system. Noncommissioned police employees are required to receive specialized training and certification from the State of Washington depending upon their assignments. They also work in shifts and are held to the same standards of on-duty conduct as commissioned police officers.

Date Passed: Monday, April 8, 2013

Effective Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2013

ORD C34965 Section 1