Carson Municipal Code Art. H . Department Of Public Safety

There is hereby created and established a Department of Public Safety which shall consist of a Director of Public Safety and such other personnel as may be authorized by the City Council.

(Ord. 82-611 § 1; Ord. 89-892 § 1)

The Department of Public Safety shall be headed by the Director of Public Safety who shall be appointed and may be dismissed by the City Administrator with the approval of the City Council.

The Public Safety Director shall be the City Officer and that member of City government referred to as Chief of Police in Government Code Sections 36501 and 36505.

(Ord. 82-611 § 1; Ord. 89-892 § 1)

Wherever the term "Chief of Police" is used in the Carson Municipal Code, such term shall mean the Director of Public Safety of the City of Carson except to the extent that the Sheriff of Los Angeles County is designated as Chief of Police for the purpose of performance of, and within the scope of, the County Law Enforcement Contract. Any action heretofore taken by the City Council of the City of Carson referring to or designating the Sheriff of Los Angeles County as Chief of Police is hereby modified and superseded to the extent that the same is inconsistent herewith.

(Ord. 89-892 § 1; Ord. 75-325 § 1; Ord. 77-406 § 1)

The Director of Public Safety shall be responsible to the City Administrator and shall perform the following duties:

(a) Be the administrative head of the Public Safety Department and have direct charge of all personnel assigned to the Public Safety Department.

(b) Plan and recommend objectives and programs for the Public Safety Department.

(c) Advise and assist the City Council and City Administrator on all matters relating to public safety.

(d) Supervise and evaluate the needs and resources of the City for public safety programs.

(e) Develop and direct public education and service programs for continuing public safety needs.

(f) Act as Assistant Director of Civil Defense, and as such, develop and maintain plans for civil emergency and natural disaster relief services.

(g) Administer and monitor the County Law Enforcement, Fire, Public Health and Animal Control Contracts.

(h) Perform such other related duties as may be assigned from time to time by the City Administrator.

(i) Supervise and evaluate needs for Security Officer services and security systems.

(Ord. 82-611 § 1; Ord. 89-892 § 1)

The Department of Public Safety shall include and have responsibility for the following functions of the City:

(a) Administration of Law Enforcement Contract, including general law enforcement, traffic enforcement, investigations, community relations with respect to law enforcement and jail.

(b) Youth services, including programs to educate youth in law enforcement and safety related areas.

(c) Municipal Code enforcement services, including programs to ensure compliance with and enforcement of this Code and solid waste management.

(d) Health services, including planning, liaison and ambulance services.

(e) Animal control services, including regulations, licensing and pound services.

(f) Fire protection services, including fire prevention, fire protection, fire education, rescue and paramedic services.

(g) Civil defense, including emergency preparedness, planning coordination and liaison.

(h) Administration of the residential refuse collection program.

(i) Security officer services and facility security systems.

(Ord. 82-611 § 1; Ord. 89-892 § 1)

Where any of the functions or activities mentioned in CMC § 2784 are provided by Los Angeles County pursuant to contract with the City, or by County Districts, or by contract with a private contractor, the Department of Public Safety shall have the responsibility for the administration and monitoring of such contracts, maintenance of liaison between the City and County officers and other personnel having responsibility for the performance of such contracts and recommendations to the City Administrator as to the level of performance, amendment and renewal of such contracts. The Department of Public Safety shall have the responsibility for performance of any functions authorized by the City Council or pursuant to law, and pursuant to the Department's responsibilities referred to in CMC § 2784 which are not within the scope of any County or private contract or District functions.

(Ord. 82-611 § 1; Ord. 89-892 § 1)

In order to provide for the public safety, there is hereby created and established the position of City Security Officer for the City of Carson. City Security Officers shall be under the supervision, direction and control of the Public Safety Director.

(Ord. 89-892 § 1; Ord. 79-475 § 1; Ord. 75-342 § 1; Ord. 77-406 § 1)

The applicants shall have such qualifications and stand such examinations of their physical and mental fitness as may be prescribed from time to time. The character and reputation of prospective City Security Officers shall be investigated by the Public Safety Director.

(Ord. 89-892 § 1; Ord. 79-475 § 1; Ord. 75-342 § 1; Ord. 77-406 § 1)

Before entering upon his duties as a City Security Officer of the City of Carson, each officer shall take the following oath before the City Clerk:

(Ord. 89-892 § 1; Ord. 75-342 § 1; Ord. 77-406 § 1)

City Security Officers shall be trained in accordance with State law and in the manner determined and directed by the Public Safety Director.

(Ord. 89-892 § 1; Ord. 79-475 § 1; Ord. 75-342 § 1; Ord. 77-406 § 1)

While on duty, under the orders of the Public Safety Director, City Security Officers shall have the authority and duty to enforce the provisions of the Municipal Code and the ordinance of the City of Carson as may be from time to time designated or assigned by the Public Safety Director pursuant to California Penal Code Section 836.5. City Security Officers may make arrests for violation of such Municipal Code ordinances and may issue citations for misdemeanors pursuant to California Penal Code Chapter 5C (commencing with Section 853.6) and Carson Municipal Code Article 1, Chapter 2. City Security Officers shall be responsible for the proper performance of their duties and shall be subject to removal by the Public Safety Director. City Security Officers shall not be considered general law enforcement officers and shall only have powers prescribed by this Code.

(Ord. 89-892 § 1; Ord. 79-475 § 1; Ord. 75-342 § 1; Ord. 77-406 § 1)

It shall be unlawful for any City Security Officer to wear identifying uniform and insignia except while on duty.

(Ord. 89-892 § 1; Ord. 75-342 § 1; Ord. 77-406 § 1)

Since City Security Officers have only limited law enforcement responsibilities, they shall be considered as civilian employees of the City of Carson for the purposes of pension and pay.

(Ord. 89-892 § 1; Ord. 75-342 § 1; Ord. 77-406 § 1)