Chap. 366.—An ACT to amend and reenact sections 11 and 39 of Chapter 280
of the Acts of Assembly of 1932, approved March 24, 1932, being the charter
of the city of Alexandria, Virginia, and to add thereto a new section numbered
14-a providing for the appointment of certain heads of departments, for the
appointment of a major and superintendent of police, and for an independent
annual audit. (H 533]

Approved March 31, 1948

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That sections eleven and thirty-nine of chapter two hundred
eighty of the Acts of Assembly of nineteen hundred thirty-two, approved
March twenty-fourth, nineteen hundred thirty-two, being the charter of
the city of Alexandria be amended and reenacted and that a section num-
bered fourteen-a be added thereto, all as follows:
Section 11. The officers of the city whose election or appointment
is not otherwise provided for herein, by the general statutes of the State,
or by ordinance, shall be appointed by the city manager under the powers
granted him by this charter.

Section 14-a. Prior to the end of each fiscal year, the council shall
designate qualified public accountants who, as of the end of the fiscal year,
shall make an independent audit of accounts and other evidences of finan-
cial transactions of the city government and shall submit their report to
the council and to the city manager. Such accountants shall have no
personal interest, direct or indirect, in the fiscal affairs of the city govern-
ment or of any of its officers. They shall not maintain any accounts or
records of the city business, but, within specifications approved by the
council, shall post-audit the books and documents kept by the office of
city auditor and any separate or subordinate accounts kept by any other
office, department, or agency of the city government. This section shall
not apply to those agencies for which an independent audit is required
to be made by a State officer or department.

Section 39. There shall be a police department and a fire department
which may be incorporated into one department known as the department
of public safety, with the director thereof to be appointed by the city
manager.

First: (a) The city manager shall, through the director of the
department of public safety, if such department be established, appoint
a major and superintendent of police whose duties and bond shall be such
as the council may ordain. The city manager shall further, on nomination
of the major and superintendent of police through the director of the
department of public safety, if such office be established, appoint such
number of policemen as may be authorized by the council.

(b) The major and superintendent of police and policemen appointed
as hereinbefore provided, shall constitute the police force of the city and
shall hold their respective positions during good behavior or until they
are removed by the city manager.

- (c) The police force shall be under the control of the city manager
for the purpose of enforcing peace and executing the laws of the State and
ordinances of the city. It shall perform such other duties as the council
may prescribe. For the purpose of enabling it to execute its duties, every
member thereof is hereby made a conservator of the peace and endowed
with the powers of a constable in criminal cases, and with such other
powers under the laws of the State as may be necessary to the discharge
of the duties of his office.

(d) The pay, uniform, rules and regulations of the police force shall
be prescribed by the council.

Second: (a) The city manager shall, through the director of the
department of public safety, if such department be established, appoint
a chief of the fire department, whose pay, duties and bond shall be such
as the council mav ordain. The city manager shall further, upon the
nomination of the chief, appoint such number of firemen as may be author-
ized by the council. Vacancies in the force of firemen shall be filled ir.
like manner. The chief and firemen shall retain their position during good
behavior or until they are removed by the city manager.

(b) The pay, uniforms, rules and regulations of the members of the
fire department shall be prescribed by the council.

2. An emergency exists and this act is in force from its passage.