§ 2-519. Term of office of members; probationary period.

(a)

All appointments of newly hired police officers, as well as police officers re-hired after loss of seniority, shall be for a probationary period of 18 months of work as a police officer. Said probationary period may be extended, in the sole discretion of the Chief of Police, for an additional six months if the Chief of Police shall determine that such additional time is needed to evaluate said police officer. If, at the expiration of said probationary period or extension thereof, the police officer, in the opinion of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, proves to be fit for the position, said police officer shall be permanently certified to said position by that Board. If, in the judgment of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, the police officer shall prove unsatisfactory at the expiration of said probationary period or extension thereof, said police officer shall be dropped from the service and his name removed from the payroll.

(b)

All promotions and appointments to the rank of sergeant shall be for a probationary period of 12 months, provided that the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners may extend said probationary period in the event that extended injury, illness, leaves of absence or other unforeseen or unusual circumstance prevents the police officer so promoted from working full and active duty throughout the probationary period. If, at the expiration of that time, the applicant, in the opinion of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, proves to be fit for the position, said police officer shall be permanently certified to the position by that Board. If in the judgment of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners said police officer shall prove unsatisfactory in the higher rank, said police officer shall revert to the lower rank.

(Code 1993, § 2-15.2.4; Ord. No. 86-O-33, 7-15-1986; Ord. No. 99-O-6, 2-9-1999; Ord. No. 2001-O-6, 2-27-2001)