§ 5.16. Political activity.

No member or employee of the police department or the fire department shall contribute to or take part in any manner, directly or indirectly, in any election or function involving the election of a candidate for municipal office, other than casting his secret ballot.

No employee of the police department or the fire department shall seek a political office while employed as a member of either department, and shall not be granted a leave of absence prior to offering for election. Such employee shall automatically be dropped from the payroll of the city on the date the filing fee is paid to the election board.