COMMISSIONS

Fire and Police Commission

The statutory powers, duties and responsibilities of the Police and Fire commission are significant. The commission has authority to:

  • hire, suspend or remove a police officer in the Police department and a firefighter in the Fire department
  • approve all appointments made by the police chief and fire chief, including the promotion of subordinates
  • approve competitive examinations used to judge suitability for the appointment of subordinates
  • approve each list of individuals determined to be eligible for appointment
  • suspend subordinates pending the filing and hearing of charges
  • initiate charges against a subordinate
  • hear charges filed against a subordinate, make findings and determinations, and impose penalties
  • hear appeals of disciplinary actions initiated by the chief of a department against any subordinate