The Police Chief's Advisory Council was established in January 1993 at the direction of the Chief of Police of the Town of Vienna.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The purpose of the Council is advisory, and it shall endeavor to maintain a cooperative working relationship with the police department, furthering the exchange of information and ideas between the police department and the community, promoting harmonious police-community relations and working to improve conditions relating to law enforcement in the community.

ARTICLE III - OBJECTIVES

A. Provide a forum for obtaining citizen opinion with respect to police service and performance through designated representatives.
B. Identify specific existing and potential problems and concerns requiring police attention which may not be otherwise known to the police through routine channels.
C. Provide the public with a recognized and regular means of communicating with the police department and to encourage direct communication between citizens and the Vienna Police Department.
D. Ensure that Council membership includes an adequate cross section of citizens, citizen groups, community and business organization representatives in the Vienna area.
E. Provide the police with a means to disseminate information to citizens of the Town of Vienna.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

A. Membership in the Council shall be by invitation to citizen groups, community groups, neighborhood watch groups, businesses and organizations located in theTown of Vienna. At the direction of the chair, invitations will be extended to potential members to attend meetings.
1. A representative from each group shall attend scheduled meetings, and be entitled to vote.
2. If the representative is unable to attend, an alternate from his/her group shall attend, and be entitled to vote.
3. Meetings shall be open to all interested citizens, business, and organization representatives.

ARTICLE V - ELECTION

A. The Council organization shall provide for a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary. These officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the Council present, to serve a term of two (2) years.
B. The Chairman shall appoint a nominating committee consisting of three (3) members of the current Council in April of an election year.
C. Biannual elections of the officers of the Council shall take place at the June meeting.
D. In the event of the resignation of an officer, the Chairperson may appoint a member of the Council to fill the vacancy until the next regular meeting at which a special election can be held.

ARTICLE VI - RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Chairperson: Determine the agenda for the Advisory Council; preside over all meetings of the Council; and act as the principal spokesperson for the Council.
B. Vice-Chairperson: Assume the role of the Chairperson in his/her absence. Work with the Police Chief or designee to plan programs and meetings.
C. Secretary: Responsible for both the Executive and Advisory Council meeting minutes; provide copies of Advisory Council meeting minutes to each member before the next scheduled meeting; maintain and provide an accurate membership roster and current material; maintain member attendance.
D. Member of the Advisory Council: Participate actively in promoting the purpose and objectives of this Charter and to provide accurate information on a timely basis to their organizations.
E. Chief of Police, Vienna Police Department:
1. Assists the Advisory Council in fulfilling their respective responsibilities. Provide administrative support for Council activities, e.g., reproduction, mailings.
2. Arrange for facilities to hold Executive and Advisory Council meetings.
3. Communicate and confirm to the membership the location, agenda, and schedule of the regular meetings.
4. Provide programs for the Council meetings.

ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS

A. Regular meetings of the Council shall be held bimonthly, except for summer recess (July, August and September), or with at least two weeks notice, at the call of the chair.
B. To conduct business a quorum shall consist of an elected officer and not less than five (5) Council members.
C. To elect officers a quorum shall consist of an elected officer and not less than five (5) Council members.
D. The Executive Committee normally will be convened by the Chairperson but may meet at the request of any of its members.

ARTICLE VIII - ORGANIZATION

A. The Chairperson may appoint standing committees to deal with the continuing functions of membership, programs and publicity. Standing committee chairpersons shall be appointed as needed; their function is to advise the Chairperson.
B. The Chairperson may appoint from the Council membership qualified ad hoc committees to perform activities determined by the membership to warrant major or continuing Council attention.
C. The officers and police chief shall constitute the Executive Committee. The Chief shall have ex official membership on the Executive Committee; that role, however, is advisory.

ARTICLE IX - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Meetings shall be conducted under the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order.

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Council by a two-thirds vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting.