[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council
of the Township of Florence as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 11-7-1990 by Ord. No. 1990-47; amended in its entirety 12-22-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-28]
The Chief of Police is hereby authorized to
furnish off-duty police officers and/or special law enforcement officers
to serve private or quasi-public functions upon written request received
from such party and upon such party's agreement to pay the charges
therefor. The Chief of Police is further authorized in the case of
emergencies to accept oral requests for such services.
A.Â
The party requesting the services of a member of the Florence Township Police Department or Special Law Enforcement Office provided for in § 22-1 shall be charged and pay for such service. In the event that the party requesting the service requires the utilization of a Police Department patrol car, there shall be an additional charge for each patrol car utilized. All sums received on account of such service shall be paid to the Chief Financial Officer of the Township of Florence and shall be used for reimbursement through the appropriate municipal account.
B.Â
Rates charged.
(1)Â
The party or organization requesting the service of a member of the Florence Township Police Department or Special Law Enforcement Officer provided for in § 22-1 above shall be charged and pay for such service at the rate of 1 1/2 times the compensation rate payable or two times the compensation rate payable to the officer at the time, depending on the rate which is applicable, plus the then-current rate of workers' compensation costs, and a 5% administration fee.
(2)Â
All sums received on account of such service shall
be paid to the Chief Financial Officer of the Township of Florence
and shall be used for reimbursement through the appropriate municipal
account.
(3)Â
The fee for the use of a police vehicle shall be fixed
by the Chief of Police on a semiannual basis, i.e., as of January
1 and July 1 of each year, taking into account the costs related to
the operation of the vehicle. The fee shall be not less than $10 per
hour.
Each officer of the Police Department rendering services set forth in § 221 shall be compensated at the rate of 1 1/2 times the compensation rate or two times the compensation rate, whichever is applicable and presently payable to that officer. Each special law enforcement officer rendering services as provided for in § 22-1 above shall be compensated at a rate of 1 1/2 times the compensation rate payable or two times the rate of a Level I officer as provided for in the current salary schedule of the collective bargaining agreement between the Township of Florence and the FOP Lodge No. 210.
[Adopted 5-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-13]
A.Â
Purpose. The purpose of this article is to create a partnership between
the Florence Township Police Department and the various religious
leaders of Florence Township to provide enhanced policing and spiritual
services to the service population.
B.Â
Policy. The Florence Township Police Department recognizes the influence
and impact that faith-based leaders have in people's lives within
the community. The agency will work together in a partnership with
qualified religious leaders, regardless of denomination, who are available
to respond during a crisis or in time of need in providing a more
personalized quality of service to the community. The religious leaders
will perform tasks of a more spiritual nature while the officer addresses
those tasks that are of law enforcement nature.
C.Â
POLICE CHAPLAIN
POLICE CHAPLAIN COORDINATOR
POLICE CHAPLAIN LIAISON
Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-141, a volunteer, ordained
member of the clergy in good standing from the religious body from
which he or she is selected who is available to provide spiritual
help, guidance and counseling.
A volunteer Police Chaplain who directs programs or events
associated with the Police Chaplain Program.
A member of the command staff, designated by the Chief of
Police, who administers the Police Chaplain Program for the department.
D.Â
General procedures.
(1)Â
Qualifications.
(a)Â
Candidates for Police Chaplain must be a duly ordained clergy
member with a degree from an accredited institution. The candidate
must be in good standing and an active participant in his or her church,
parish, synagogue, or temple and be presently affiliated with a duly
recognized religious place of faith.
[Amended 7-13-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-19]
(b)Â
Police Chaplains shall conform to all police procedures and
departmental regulations, insofar as applicable, and shall be credentialed
in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-141.
(c)Â
Police Chaplains shall demonstrate compassion and understanding
for fellow human beings and be tactful and considerate in their approach
to all people, regardless of race, creed, religion or national origin.
(d)Â
The Police Chaplain Program is a volunteer service, without
rank or salary. The candidate shall be available to serve in an on-call
status, with a minimum availability to be determined based on the
number of members enrolled in the program.
(e)Â
Police Chaplains shall maintain high spiritual and moral standards
and honor and abide by the seal of confessions and confidentiality.
(f)Â
Police Chaplains shall complete the required training and orientation
before being accepted into the program, and also complete regularly
scheduled in-service training to remain active.
(g)Â
Police Chaplains must possess a valid New Jersey driver's
license and pass a criminal history and background check completed
by the Police Department.
(h)Â
Police Chaplains must not be under indictment, on bail pending
court, parole, probation, or in any way be associated with any current
criminal court proceedings, or convicted of any offense involving
moral turpitude.
(i)Â
Police Chaplains may not be in support or involved in any questionable
activity or subversive activity against the government entity.
(2)Â
Duties and responsibilities.
(a)Â
Police Chaplains shall serve a law-enforcement-related community
support service function. Police Chaplains are not sworn officers
and do not have the authority to make a full custody arrest. Police
Chaplains are not authorized to physically interfere with law enforcement
matters.
(b)Â
Police Chaplains accept the responsibility to foster integrity
and honor with the agency and community and execute their duties with
a professional demeanor.
(c)Â
Police Chaplains shall be requested to perform the following
duties and any other duties that may be assigned by the Chief of Police:
[1]Â
Assist the agency in making notifications to families concerning
serious injuries or death;
[2]Â
Visit sick or injured police department personnel at home or
in the hospital;
[3]Â
Attend and participate in funerals of active and retired members
of the agency;
[4]Â
Counsel police personnel regarding personal problems and stationhouse
adjustments;
[5]Â
Coordinate and conduct memorial services;
[6]Â
Participate in in-service training programs;
[7]Â
Attend departmental functions such as graduations, promotions,
and award ceremonies;
[8]Â
Assist in programs and counseling targeted at youthful offenders;
[9]Â
Assist in enhancing public relations and community outreach;
[10]Â
Meet with the Chief of Police and other police personnel on
a regular basis for the purpose of ongoing evaluations, development
of programs, and discussion of departmental morale.
(d)Â
Police Chaplains will not wear a uniform or police-related clothing
that will give the appearance to the public that they are a sworn
police officer. Police Chaplains shall wear clothing representative
of their faith or proper attire.
E.Â
Appointment and term of office.
(1)Â
The Chief of Police shall recommend to the Township Administrator
persons he or she believes meet the qualification of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-141.
All applicants for the position of Police Chaplain shall be interviewed
by the Chief of Police and his or her designee(s) to determine the
applicant's qualifications in accordance with this policy.
(2)Â
The Township Administrator shall appoint Police Chaplains in accordance
with this policy, with the advice and consent of the Chief of Police.
(3)Â
A person appointed as a Police Chaplain shall serve at the pleasure
of the Township Police Department, and for a period of one year from
the date of appointment and shall continue to serve in that capacity
until he or she resigns, is terminated, or reappointed by the Township
Council at the recommendation of the Chief of Police.
(4)Â
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the position shall be an "at will"
position and the appointment of Police Chaplain may be terminated
without cause.
F.Â
Activation procedure.
(1)Â
The Police Chaplain Coordinator will work with the Police Chaplain
Liaison to create and maintain a duty list of availability for the
chaplains.
(2)Â
The shift supervisor will determine when a Police Chaplain is needed
and utilize the on-call list to activate the Police Chaplain response
in the emergent situation. If the on-call Police Chaplain is not available,
the backup Police Chaplain shall be contacted. If the on-call and
back-up Police Chaplains are not available, any available Police Chaplain
from the list shall be requested.
(a)Â
If the involved person(s) discloses his or her specific faith
or requests to speak with a specific member of the clergy, the supervisor
may forego the above process and contact a representative of that
faith or the specific clergy member directly.
(3)Â
The shift supervisor will direct the Police Chaplain to respond to
the location where the service is to be provided. The Police Chaplain
is authorized to be present for support and guidance to the involved
person(s) during the course of their duties and responsibilities.
If requested, the Police Chaplain will also assist the involved person(s)
in contacting a representative of their religious faith for additional
support if the faith is different from the responding Police Chaplain.
(4)Â
The shift supervisor will be responsible for the physical safety
of the Police Chaplain. While risk of injury is an inherent part of
police work, care is to be given as to not place the Police Chaplain
in the way of undue harm.
G.Â
Training.
(1)Â
The agency shall provide Police Chaplains training in those duties
which they are authorized and assigned to perform.
(2)Â
Prior to appointment, each Police Chaplain candidate must attend
and successfully complete a basic Police Chaplain training course
given by the International Conference of Police Chaplains.
(3)Â
Upon appointment, each Police Chaplain shall receive orientation
training consisting of a review of the rules and regulations and policies
and procedures of the Florence Township Police Department.
(4)Â
The orientation training shall also contain a block of field training
instruction on the various incidents and tasks handled by the agency.
Emphasis will be placed on the Police Chaplain's role as a support
function, and the training will aid the Police Chaplain in knowing
what to expect from members during a particular situation to assist
in a support capacity.
(5)Â
Upon completing the orientation training, the Police Chaplain shall
then schedule a ride-along session with a Field Training Officer or
supervisor to personally experience the nature of police work. Each
Police Chaplain will be required to complete a ride-along at least
once annually thereafter.
(6)Â
All the Police Chaplains will meet as a group at least semiannually
to receive updated instruction on updated policies and procedures
from the Police Chaplain Liaison. These meetings will give Police
Chaplains the ability to network with each other and discuss ideas
and/or concerns with the program.
(7)Â
All training shall be coordinated by the Police Chaplain Coordinator
and Police Chaplain Liaison.
H.Â
Confidentiality.
(1)Â
All police information shall be considered confidential in nature.
Police Chaplains shall not release or discuss confidential information
to anyone.
(2)Â
Each Police Chaplain shall be required to sign a nondisclosure agreement.
Subsequent disclosure of any confidential information verbally, in
writing, or by any other means or media shall be grounds for immediate
dismissal and possible criminal prosecution.
(3)Â
Police Chaplains shall hold to the "seal of confession" without exception.
They should not surrender to subpoena, and they should not testify
in a court of law, consult with anyone professional or otherwise in
any way that might jeopardize the seal of confession, even at risk
of personal or professional harm.
(a)Â
Any conversations held that indicate criminal activity of the
part of the person speaking to the Police Chaplain are not privileged
conversations and that information is to be relayed immediately to
a member of the Florence Police Department as required by law.
(4)Â
Privileged communication not regarded as confessional in nature should
be regarded as highly confidential material and should only be revealed
with the consent of the person involved. It is not the intent of the
Florence Township Police Department to use Police Chaplains as a tool
to solicit criminal confessions. Confidential information should only
be revealed when it is assumed the revelation is for the greater good
of the individual.