Title
Proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to establish the Office of the Chief Public Safety Director of the City of Philadelphia; providing for the method of appointment of the Chief Public Safety Director and defining their powers, duties, and areas of responsibility; and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, The safety of Philadelphians is of the utmost importance, and strategically reorienting the resources at our disposal is an innovative approach to public safety. Increased collaboration amongst our safety-oriented City agencies can improve the services and security of Philadelphians; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the country, municipalities have established Public Safety Directors that oversee public safety departments such as Police, Fire, Prisons, Recreation, Emergency Services, and Jobs & Training Agencies and violence prevention agencies. These Directors have oversight over public safety-oriented departments to increase cooperation, efficiency, and the effectiveness of their individual work. They work closely with department heads to create a collaborative environment in which each department can operate at its full potential; and
WHEREAS, Cities such as Chicago, Newark, and Columbus have established Public Safety Directors in efforts to facilitate collaboration between safety-oriented City agencies. Directors typically oversee the budget, operations, plans, and development of City departments, providing guidance and approval. They increase efficiency, communication, and equity amongst these related departments; and
WHEREAS, Under Section 6 of the First Class City Home Rule Act (Act of April 21, 1949, P.L. 665, §6, 53 P.S. §13106), an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter may be proposed by a resolution of the Council of the City of Philadelphia adopted with the concurrence of two-thirds of its elected members; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the following amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter is hereby proposed and shall be submitted to the electors of the City on an election date designated by ordinance.
Note:
Italics indicates matter added by this amendment.
Strikethrough indicates matter deleted by this amendment.
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ARTICLE III
EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH - ORGANIZATION
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CHAPTER 1
OFFICERS, DEPARTMENTS, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND OTHER AGENCIES
§ 3-100. Executive and Administrative Officers, Departments, Boards, Commissions and Agencies Designated.
The executive and administrative work of the City shall be performed by:
(a) The following elected or appointed officers:
Mayor;
Managing Director;
Director of Finance;
Chief Public Safety Director;
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§ 3-102. The Mayor's Cabinet.
The Mayor's Cabinet shall consist of the Mayor, the Managing Director, the Director of Finance, the City Solicitor, the Chief Public Safety Director, the Director of Planning and Development, the Director of Commerce, the Director of Labor and the City Representative.
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CHAPTER 2
ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT
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§ 3-203. City Solicitor and Chief Public Safety Director.
The Mayor, with the advice and consent of a majority of all the members of the Council, shall appoint the City Solicitor and the Chief Public Safety Director.
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CHAPTER 3
QUALIFICATIONS
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§ 3-307. Chief Public Safety Director.
Qualifications for the Chief Public Safety Director shall include but not be limited to:
1. The Chief Public Safety Director shall have five years of senior leadership experience in a law enforcement agency, legal entity, or other public safety position.
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CHAPTER 6
COMPENSATION
§ 3-600. The Mayor and Other Officers.
Until the Council shall otherwise ordain, annual salaries shall be payable in equal semi-monthly installments as follows:
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Director of Aviation, $265,000.
Chief Public Safety Director, $265,000.
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ARTICLE IV
EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH - POWERS AND DUTIES
The Mayor, The City Representative and Departments, Boards, Commissions and Offices under the Mayor
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CHAPTER 28
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR
§ 4-2800. Functions.
The Chief Public Safety Director shall have the power and their duty shall be to perform the following functions:
(a) Ensure public safety by coordinating the deployment of resources (personnel and employment; property; plant and equipment) within the departments of Police, Fire, Prisons, Parks and Recreation, Emergency Management, and all other relevant departments and agencies.
(b) Operational Guidance. With consistency, the Director shall provide relevant City agency leaders with guidance and initial approvals of operational policies, work programs, violence-prevention programs and budgetary policies. The Director shall provide consultation on the budgets of safety-related departments and agencies.
(c) Evaluations. The Director shall prepare reports regarding public safety measures as directed by the Mayor. When necessary, they shall undertake studies related to public safety functions, evaluating the effectiveness of work programs and procedures of safety-related City departments and agencies.
(d) City Facility Security. The planning and implementation of security in all City-owned facilities (i.e., all municipal offices and facilities, including recreation spaces) shall be coordinated by the Director. Additionally, all City contracts for security services and equipment are to be developed and overseen by the Director.
(e) Relationship Maintenance. The Director shall establish and maintain cooperative relations with civic and business organizations, violence-prevention agencies, schools, court offices, emergency services in other jurisdictions, and others interested in the maintenance of public safety.
(f) Any other powers, duties, and responsibilities as established by ordinance.
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ARTICLE VIII
PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
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CHAPTER 4
EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH
§ 8-400. Certain General Provisions to Apply to Certain Officers.
All of the provisions of this charter which apply generally to department heads or departments, boards and commissions shall apply to the Mayor, the Managing Director, the Director of Finance, the City Treasurer, the City Representative, the Insurance Public Advocate, the Public School and Child Advocate, the Handicapped and Disabled Advocate, the Victim Advocate, the Chief Public Safety Director and the Personnel Director and to their offices.
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