§ 9-10. Police auxiliary force.

(a)

Establishment. An auxiliary police force composed of police reserves and nonpaid regular officers is hereby established. It shall be composed of personnel who have volunteered to join the organization, whose applications have been accepted, and who have complied with all the rules, regulations, and orders provided for the conduct and control of the members thereof. The total strength of the auxiliary police force shall be a number not to exceed 25 officers.

(b)

Control and standards. Members of the auxiliary police force shall be under the authority, control, and command of the chief of police, subject to all the provisions of the ordinances of the City of Terrell, the laws of the State of Texas, and the policies of the Terrell Police Department. Members of the police auxiliary force shall be appointed at the discretion of the chief of police and shall serve as peace officers during the discharge of their official duties. The chief of police shall ensure that each individual member meets the standards established by the State of Texas. No individual shall be authorized to act as a peace officer until proper training has been completed and such individual has obtained certification by the State of Texas as a peace officer.

(c)

Duties. The duties of the police auxiliary force, subject at all times to the direction, supervision, and control of the chief of police, shall be to assist the full-time paid members of the police department in the enforcement of law and the maintenance of peace and order when assigned to duty by the chief of police. Auxiliary police officers shall act only in a supplementary capacity to the regular police force and shall in no case assume the full-time duties of regular police officers without first complying with all the requirements for such regular police officers, including selection under the requirements of applicable state law. The chief of police may, by order, establish rules and regulations to govern the police auxiliary force, establish selection criteria, fix specific duties of its members, and provide for the maintenance of discipline. When assigned to duty, the police auxiliary force will be under the control and supervision of regular police officers when carrying out their assigned duties. The chain of command established for the regular department will be strictly adhered to, depending on the duty assignment.

(d)

Powers and authority. Upon approval by the chief of police, members of the police auxiliary force may carry a weapon or otherwise act as a peace officer when authorized to do so by the chief of police and when discharging official duties as a duly constituted peace officer. All members of the police auxiliary force shall wear the uniform and badge issued by the Terrell Police Department when performing their official duties. Civilian clothing may be worn by auxiliary officers when assigned to duty with the criminal investigation division or at such other times as deemed necessary by the chief of police. The badge and identification card issued by the department will be carried at all times by all members of the police auxiliary force. The authority to carry a weapon and otherwise act as a peace officer applies only to individuals who have received the proper training and certification as a peace officer from the State of Texas.

(e)

Powers of arrest. An auxiliary police officer shall have the same powers of arrest and authority of a regular police officer as prescribed by the laws of the State of Texas when performing his official duties. This power and authority will be exercised under the supervision and control of the chief of police or his designated representative. Members of the police auxiliary force shall serve at the discretion of the chief of police and may be called into service at any time the chief of police considers it necessary to have additional officers to preserve the peace and enforce the law.

(f)

Compensation and benefits. Members of the police auxiliary force shall serve without compensation. Members of the police auxiliary force who sustain injury in the course of performing official duties shall be provided hospital and medical assistance in the same manner as provided for a full-time police officer and shall be eligible for death benefits as provided by applicable state law. In no event, however, shall a member of the police auxiliary force become eligible for participation in any pension fund created pursuant to state law for which a full-time paid officer may become a member by payroll deductions or otherwise. The city council may reimburse members of the police auxiliary force for any actual expense incurred by them in the performance of their duties as an auxiliary police officer. This shall include, but not be limited to, payment, at the discretion of the city council, of an expense fee for transportation, clothing, and incidental items necessitated by an officer's duties as a member of the police auxiliary force.

(g)

Termination. An auxiliary police officer may be terminated by the chief of police at any time for any cause deemed sufficient by the chief of police. All disciplinary action taken against members of the police auxiliary force will be in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Terrell Police Department. Any member may resign from the police auxiliary force at any time upon written notification of such resignation to the chief of police. In addition to the penalties provided by law, any violation of law under color of the performance of an auxiliary police officer's duties as a member of the police auxiliary force shall subject the member to summary expulsion by the chief of police.

(Ord. No. 1637, 1-8-91; Ord. No. 2445, Art. I, 12-10-09)