Chap. 64.—An ACT to amend section sixty-two of an act entitled an act
to incorporate the city of Newport News in the county of Warwick, and
provide a new charter therefor.

Approved January 17, 1900.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section
sixty-two of an act entitled an act to incorporate the city of Newport
News, in the county of Warwick, and to provide a charter thererer,
approved January sixteenth, eighteen hundred and ninety-six, be
amended and re-enacted so as to read as follows:

§ 62. The police department of the city of Newport News shall be
under the control and management of the police commissioners, who
shall consist of three discrect citizens, qualified voters, who shall be
appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council as a board of
police commissioners for said city. Any two of said commissioners shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. One of the said
commissioners shall serve until July first, eighteen hundred and ninety-
six, one until July first, eiehteen hundred and ninety-seven, and one
until July first, eighteen hundred and ninety-eight; and upon the expira-
tion of each of these terms the said mayor shall appoint their successor
for terms of three years each, which appointment shall be confirmed by
the council. Said board may adopt a uniform for the police, and may
also establish, promulgate, and enforce proper rules, regulations, and
orders for the government and discipline of said police force; and the
said board shall have the power to compel the production of papers and
the attendance of witnesses by the issue of the proper process therefor:
provided, that such rules, regulations, and orders shall not in any way
conflict with any ordinance of the city council or any of the provisions of
this act, or the constitution and laws of this state or of the United
States: and provided further, that in case of the removal of the chief of
police he shall have the right of appeal from the decision of the board
to the corporation court of the said city: nor shall the said board make
any expenditure or incur any expense w ithout consent of the city council.
As soon as the said commissioners shall have entered upon the discharge
of their duties, and appointments of chief of police and such other
officers and policemen as are authorized by the ordinance of the city or
resolutions of the city council are made, and the said chief of police and
officers and policemen so appointed shall have qualified as aforesaid.
then all the policemen who shall be in service previous thereto, as well
as the chief of police, and such other officers of the police as there may
be, shall immediately vacate their respective offices, unless reappointed
as hereinbefore provided. For the purpose of enabling it to execute its
duties and powers, each member of the police force is hereby made
and constituted a conservator of the peace, and endowed with all the
powers of a constable in criminal cases, and all other powers which, under
the laws of the city, may be necessary to enable him to discharge the
duties of his office. The pay of all policemen shall be prescribed by the
council; said commissioners shall serve without compensation.

2. All acts or parts of acts in conflict with this act be, and they are
hereby, repealed.

3. This act shall be in force from its passage.