“The Chief of Police serves at the pleasure of the Mayor.”
I’m not sure pleasure is the correct word. Accomplish the orders of the mayor while serving the people might be closer. If all they did was do what the mayor told them there would be times when they would be held liable for their actions with the mayor not called up for anything.
The standard police chief’s sworn oath covers it:
“On my honor, I will never betray my integrity, my character or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always maintain the highest ethical
standards and uphold the values of my community, and the agency I serve.”
https://www.theiacp.org/sites/default/files/all/i-j/IACP_Oath_of_Honor_En_8.5x11_Web.pdf
No where does it say to blindly follow orders. There are such things as unlawful orders that are to be questioned. Military has them, too. And the intent of the police is to do no harm....if possible.
wy69
“No where does it say to blindly follow orders. There are such things as unlawful orders that are to be questioned. ....”
I did not mean to imply the Chief is a puppet, The Chief can refuse any order however the Mayor can dismiss the Chief on a whim if desired.
The officers serve the chief and so on.
Regrettably the chiefs job becomes a politically sensitive position sometimes because he works for the Mayor.
I have had three Chiefs in my family. One of them was fired because he simply disagreed with the Mayor.