§ 24-36. Auxiliary police force.

(a)

Established. There is established within the city police department, as a division thereof, an auxiliary police force. The auxiliary police force shall be an organization consisting of as many members as may from time to time be determined by the council.

(b)

Supervision and control. The auxiliary police force shall be under the direction and control of the chief of police, acting under the general supervision of the city manager. All auxiliary police members shall obey all regulations, rules and procedures prescribed by the chief of police as set out for all regular police. All members of the unit shall be subordinate to the members of the regular police force and shall obey any lawful order given them by a member of the regular police force. The auxiliary police force shall have a captain and sergeant.

(c)

Oath of office; instruction, equipment and training. Each member of the auxiliary police force shall take the oath of office of a regular police officer. The chief of police shall provide for adequate training of each member of the auxiliary police force in the area of law enforcement technology and shall be responsible for providing the necessary instructors, equipment and places of training.

(d)

Health standards; morals. No person shall be appointed to membership in the auxiliary police force who fails to meet the physical and health standards required for appointment to the regular police force; nor shall any person be appointed to the auxiliary police force who has been convicted of felony, or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

(e)

Appointment of members; powers. An applicant for membership in the auxiliary police force who passes the examination given by the chief of police, whether initially or following a course of instruction, and who meets the other requirements of this section may be appointed to membership in the auxiliary police force, if a vacancy exists therein. Members shall be authorized to enforce the laws of the state, county and city, with full powers to arrest, within the police jurisdiction of the city.

(f)

Duties; rules and regulations; hours of work. The duties of the auxiliary police force, subject at all times to the direct control of the chief of police, shall be to assist the members of the regular police force in the enforcement of law and maintenance of peace and order when called to active duty by the chief of police. The chief of police shall establish the rules and regulations to govern the auxiliary police force and fix the special duties of its officers and to provide for the maintenance of discipline. Auxiliary police with full arrest powers shall work a regular number of hours per month as may be determined by the chief of police.

(g)

Identification of members. An identification card and such other insignia and means of identification as may be authorized for the auxiliary police force shall be issued to each member, who shall carry the card and other insignia or identification at all times while on duty and display it on request.

(h)

Call to duty for training purposes. The chief of police shall from time to time call out the auxiliary police for the purpose of training.

(i)

Ranks; chain of command. The chief of police shall create such ranks and establish such chain of command within the auxiliary police force as shall be necessary for proper control and discipline.

(j)

Uniforms and equipment. The auxiliary police force shall be clothed in the same uniform as the regular police. The uniform and all necessary equipment to carry out the duties of the auxiliary police shall be furnished by the city.

(k)

Compensation. Each member of the auxiliary police force who is called to duty by the chief of police shall be paid the minimum hourly wage. All members of the auxiliary police force will be placed on the city's payroll and shall furnish the city clerk all information as may be required with reference to social security, taxes, dependents and the like as is required for regular police.

(l)

Worker's compensation. The auxiliary police officers shall be covered by the provisions of the Worker's Compensation Act.

(m)

Insurance. If injured during the performance of any of his duties during active service, an auxiliary police officer shall be entitled to the benefits of insurance which may be provided employees of the city under the provisions of G.S. 160A-282.

(Code 1985, § 31.75)

State law reference

Auxiliary police force, G.S. 160A-282; Worker's Compensation Act, G.S. 97-1 et seq.