(a)      (1)      There is an Ocean Pines Police Department.

            (2)      The Department is:

                  (i)      Established to provide protection for the Ocean Pines community in Worcester County; and

                  (ii)      Charged with the responsibility of enforcing the applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations of the State and Worcester County.

            (3)      The Department is not an agency of Worcester County, and its officers, employees, and agents are not officers, employees, or agents of the county. Worcester County is not responsible for the acts or omissions of the Department, its officers, employees, or agents.

      (b)      (1)      A member of the Ocean Pines Police Department has all the powers granted to a peace officer and a police officer of this State. These powers may be exercised only on property within the Ocean Pines community and not on any other property unless:

                  (i)      Engaged in fresh pursuit of a suspected offender;

                  (ii)      Specially requested or permitted to do so in a political subdivision by its chief executive officer or its chief police officer;

                  (iii)      By agreement with another law enforcement agency; or

                  (iv)      Ordered to do so by the Governor.

            (2)      (i)      Members of the Ocean Pines Police Department have concurrent jurisdiction in the performance of their duties with the law enforcement agencies of the State and of Worcester County.

                  (ii)      Nothing contained in this section relieves the State or the county from a duty to provide police, fire, and other public safety service and protection or affects the jurisdiction of other police, fire, and public safety agencies.

      (c)      The Maryland Police Training Commission shall adopt or may delegate to the Board of Directors of the Ocean Pines Association the authority to adopt standards, qualifications, and prerequisites of character, training, education, human and public relations, and experience for the Ocean Pines Police Department, including standards for the performance of their duties.

      (d)      (1)      The Board of Directors of the Ocean Pines Association, Incorporated, shall adopt rules governing the operation and conduct of the Ocean Pines Police Department, including the police officers.

            (2)      The rules of the Board of Directors concerning police officers shall supplement any regulations of the Maryland Police Training Commission.

            (3)      Disobedience to the lawful commands, rules, or regulations of the Maryland Police Training Commission or the Board of Directors shall be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal.

      (e)      (1)      There is a Chief of Police of the Ocean Pines Police Department.

            (2)      (i)      The Chief of Police shall be appointed by the General Manager of the Ocean Pines Association.

                  (ii)      The Chief shall be experienced in the command of uniformed patrols and the detection and investigation of crime and shall be selected solely on the basis of qualifications for the position.

            (3)      (i)      The Chief of Police shall be responsible directly to the General Manager.

                  (ii)      All orders to the Police Department from the General Manager shall be directed through the Chief or the designee of the Chief.

            (4)      (i)      The Chief of Police shall command and administer the Ocean Pines Police Department.

                  (ii)      The duties of the Chief shall include:

                        1.      Being responsible for the efficiency and good conduct of the Department;

                        2.      Overseeing the general operation of the Department;

                        3.      Hiring employees and appointing officers, subject to the approval of the General Manager; and

                        4.      Disciplining employees and officers.

            (5)      The Chief of Police shall serve at the pleasure of the General Manager and may be removed by the General Manager.

      (f)      (1)      Funding for the Ocean Pines Police Department shall come from revenue derived from assessments levied on real property located in the Ocean Pines Community and other sources, if available.

            (2)      The Ocean Pines Police Department, or the Board of Directors of the Ocean Pines Association, Incorporated, acting as administrator of the Ocean Pines Community, may apply for, accept, and spend any gift or grant for the benefit or use of the Ocean Pines Police Department from the federal government, any State agency or office, any foundation, or any other person.

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