§ 17 — Police Department

(a) The Board of Trustees, and in its stead, the Village Manager, when appointed pursuant to 24 V.S.A. chapter 37, and as may be amended, may establish and maintain a Police Department. Such Police Department shall consist of one Chief of Police and subordinate officers as deemed necessary. Such officers, including the Chief of Police, shall take an oath to faithfully perform their respective duties as such police officer, which instrument shall be recorded by and in the office of the Clerk of said corporation. Such police officers shall have the same powers as sheriffs in criminal matters and the enforcement of the law and in serving criminal process and such special authority as may be provided in any bylaw or ordinance of said corporation enacted under authority of Vermont statutes.
(b) The direction and control of the entire Police Department, except as otherwise provided, shall be vested in the Chief of Police. If the Chief of Police is absent or disabled, or if the office of Chief of Police is vacant, the appointing authority may appoint another officer to discharge the duties of the Chief of Police.