THE LAW
FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SAINT PAUL
POLICE FORCE.
1882.
1. The police department of the city of St. Paul shall consist of the mayor, who shall be the chief executive officer and head of the department, a chief of police, a captain of police, two (2) sergeants, two (2) detectives, and as many policemen, patrolmen and police officers as may be authorized by the common council of said city, with the approval of the mayor. [Special Laws of 1881.] The mayor shall appoint the chief of police, the captain, the detectives, the sergeants and all policemen, patrolmen and police officers at any time appertaining to the police department of said city, and by whatever name designated; and any officer or member of the police department who may be appointed by the mayor, may be by him removed from office whenever, in his opinion, the welfare of the city demands such removals; Provided, that such removal shall not take effect until notice thereof is given to the common council and the action of the mayor is concurred in by a majority vote of the entire number of the members elect of said council; and such removal may be made by the common council without charges having been made by the mayor of said city by a two-thirds vote of all the members elect of said common council, and provided also, that the mayor may remove any officer or member of said police department at any time within six months from the date when such officers or members shall be appointed, as in this section provided. In case of riots or other disturbances the mayor may appoint as many specials or temporary policemen as he may deem necessary for the preservation of the public peace. All officers and members of the police force appointed as in this section provided, shall severally hold their offices until vacated by death, resignation, or until they shall be removed as provided above, and they shall perform all the duties and be subject to all the rules and regulations which now are or may hereafter be prescribed by the common council. [Special Laws 1879.]
2. The chief of police and all police officers or members of the police force subordinate to him shall possess the power of constables at common law, and by the statute law of this State. They shall execute and serve all warrants, process, commitments and all writs whatever issued by the city justice for any violation of the laws of this State, or of the ordinances or by-laws of said city, and they shall have power to pursue and arrest any person fleeing from justice in any part of this State, and when performing the duties of constables for any violation of law other than the ordinances of said city, shall be entitled to the fees that constables receive for like duties; Provided, That no member of this department shall go outside of the limits of said city in pursuit of any offender, or to execute any warrant of process, except in cases of offenses committed within said city.
3. No person shall hereafter be appointed to, or hold any office in this department who is not a citizen of the United States, and who shall not have been a resident of this State for two years next preceding his appointment, and who cannot read, write and speak the English language.
4. All the officers of this department and all aldermen of the city, and all justices of the peace within the city, shall be officers of the peace, and may command the peace. suppress in a summary manner all rioting and disorderly behavior within the limits of the city, and for such purpose may command the assistance of all bystanders, and if necessary of all citizens and military companies; and if any citizen, bystander, military officer or private shall refuse to aid in maintaining the peace, when so required, every person shall forfeit and pay a fine of fifty dollars. And in cases where the civil power may be required to suppress riots or disorderly behavior, the officers of this department, if any such are present, shall direct the proceedings, and if such officer be present, then the same shall be directed by the superior or senior of the officers above named, not members of this department, who may be present.
5. The mayor and chief of police are authorized and required to make all needful rules and regulations not inconsistent with the laws of this state or ordinances of the city, for the government and control of the police department, and with a view to making this department, and all the officers and agents appointed under it, efficient, vigilant, prompt and useful to the city. All rules and regulations made in pursuance thereof, shall be made in writing, signed by the officers, and shall be filed in the office of the city clerk, and shall be binding upon all the persons connected with this department. A small book containing this chapter and such ordinances and regulations as may be adopted, shall be printed in legible type, and securely bound with, leather; the chief of police shall deliver one of said books to each member of the department, who shall always have the same in his possession, and make himself thoroughly acquainted with its contents by frequent perusal.
6. Any member of the police department who shall accept from any person while in custody, or after he shall have been discharged, or from any of his friends, or any other person, any gratuity or reward, or any description of drink; or who shall receive from any person, without the written permission of the mayor, any reward for the arrest of any thief, or recovery of any goods or any money, or compensation for damage sustained in the discharge of his duty, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be subject to a fine of not less than five nor more than one hundred dollars.
7. The officers and privates shall be required, while on duty, to wear a blue cloth cap with emblems of their respective offices and number of the police in metalic letters and figures over the vizor, also a star, to be designated by the mayor and chief of police, and also a regulation uniform substantially like that worn by the police (force) of other cities.
