Town of Washington, Ordinance 26-5.3

No. 444-May 21-1 Time

Ordinance 26-5.3

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE TOWN OF WASHINGTON, OKLAHOMA; AMENDING SECTION 1-31 (TOWN ADMINISTRATOR) AND SECTION 1-70 (PURCHASING); CREATING THE POSlTlON OF PUBLIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATOR; PROVIDING FOR SUPERVISION, ADMINISTRATION, DlSClPLlNE, AND COORDINATION OF POLICE AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS OF THE TOWN; PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN REPORTING AND PURCHASING AUTHORITY; PROVIDING FOR THE STATUS OF NON-FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICERS; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Town of Washington, Oklahoma, finds it necessary and desirable to create the position of Public Safety Administrator to improve the administration and coordination of the Town’s police and emergency management functions;

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees desires to establish clear lines of supervision, reporting, and purchasing authority for that position; and

WHEREAS,the Board of Trustees further desires to provide for the designation of the Public Safety Administrator as a sworn police officer in accordance with applicable law and Town policy;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF WASHINGTON, OKLAHOMA:

SECTION 1. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 1-31 — TOWN ADMINISTRATOR

Section 1-31 is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:

The Town Administrator may designate and appoint administrative personnel, including a Public Safety Administrator, to assist in the supervision and coordination of Town departments.

Such personnel shall serve under the direction of the Town Administrator, and any delegation of authority shall not relieve the Town Administrator of ultimate responsibility for the supervision and control of all administrative departments, officers, and agencies of the Town.

SECTION 2. CREATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATOR

There is hereby created the position of Public Safety Administrator.

The Public Safety Administrator shall:

• Be appointed by the Town Administrator, subject to confirmation by the Board of Trustees;
• Serve at the pleasure of the Town Administrator;
• Report directly to the Town Administrator;
• Be a sworn peace officer and, if required by law for the duties assigned, shall maintain any certification, training, or qualifications required by CLEET and applicable law.

SECTION 3. DUTIES AND AUTHORITY

The Public Safety Administrator shall be responsible for the administration, coordination, and oversight of public safety functions of the Town, including the Police Department and emergency management and related services.

The Public Safety Administrator shall:

• Supervise the Chief of Police;
• Establish operationaI coordination within public safety functions;
• lmplement policies, procedures, and directives issued by the Town Administrator;
• Assist in budgeting, capital planning, and personnel management;
• Coordinate emergency management planning, preparedness, response, and recovery activities for the Town in cooperation with county, state, and federal agencies, and in accordance with applicable laws, agreements, and emergency operations plans;
• Perform law enforcement duties as assigned or required in the discharge of the office.

SECTION 4. DISCIPLINARY AND ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY

The Public Safety Administrator shall have authority to:

• Direct day-to-day operations of the Police Department;
• lssue written directives and performance standards;
• Recommend hiring, promotion, discipline, or termination of the Chief of Police.

Final authority for hiring, discipline, or termination of the Chief of Police shall remain with the Town Administrator and/or Board of Trustees as required by law and ordinance.

SECTION 5. AMENDMENT — POLICE CHIEF

Section 1-34 subsection A of the Code of Ordinances is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

“There is hereby created a Police Department for Washington, Oklahoma. The Chief of Police shall be appointed by and report to the Public Safety Administrator. The Chief of Police shall be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Police Department, subject to the supervision of the Public Safety Administrator, the Town Administrator, and the Board of Trustees as provided by law. Law enforcement assistance may also be provided, as a municipaI service, on a contractual basis.”

All references within Section 1-34 to the Town Administrator as the direct supervisor of the Chief of Police shall be changed to the Public Safety Administrator, and any inconsistent references to “Mayor” or “Town Administrator” shall be changed as necessary to conform with this ordinance.

SECTION 6. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 1-70 — PURCHASING

Section 1-70 is amended by adding:

The Public Safety Administrator is authorized to approve purchases for budgeted public safety operations in an amount not to exceed $2,000.00 per transaction.

Such authority shall:

• Be limited to approved budget items;
• Comply with all purchasing procedures;
• Remain subject to oversight of the Town Administrator.

Any expenditure exceeding this amount shall require approval as otherwise provided by ordinance.

SECTION 7. TRANSITION OF NON-FULL-TIME OFFICERS TO RESERVE STATUS

Upon the effective date of this ordinance, any municipal police officer currently employed by the Town of Washington who does not meet the full-time status, certification, training, or other qualifications required by state law, CLEET rules, or Town policy for full-time service shall be designated as a reserve peace officer, consistent with Oklahoma law and CounciI on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) standards.

Reserve peace officers shall serve on a part-time unpaid basis only and shall not work more than the maximum hours allowed by Oklahoma law for reserve peace officers unless otherwise authorized by statute.

Reserve peace officers shall be appointed and supervised in accordance with Oklahoma law, applicable CLEET rules, and Town policies, under the direction of the Public Safety Administrator in the capacity of head of the Police Department.

SECTION 8. PRESERVATION OF AUTHORITY

Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to diminish or transfer the statutory or ordinance authority of the Town Administrator as chief administrative officer of the Town. Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to limit the authority of the Board of Trustees to set policy tor the Town or to amend or repeaI this ordinance.

SECTION 9. SEVERABILITY

lf any provision of this ordinance is held invalid, unconstitutional, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.

SECTION 10. REPEALER

All other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are repealed to the extent of suc conflict.

SECTION 11. EFFECTIVE DATE

This ordinance shall take effect upon passage and publication as required by law.

ADOPTED AND PASSED by the Board of Trustees of the Town of Washington, Oklahoma, on this 12 day of May, 2026.

SIGNED by the Mayor of the Town of Washington on this 12 day of May, 2026.

/s/ Joel Siria

Joel Siria, Mayor

ATTEST:

/s/ Kasey Lesher

Kasey Lesher, Town Clerk

Approved as to form

this 12 day of May, 2026.

/s/ Josh Simpson

Municipal Attorney

(Seal)