[Adopted 12-30-1974 by Ord. No. 250 as Art. I of Ch. 24 of the 1974 Code of the Township of Lopatcong; amended in its entirety 7-17-1991 by Ord. No. 1991-25]
The Police Department, as heretofore created, is hereby continued.
A. 
The Police Department shall be under the direction of the Township Council.
[Amended 3-1-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-01]
B. 
The Chief of Police shall be the head of the Police Department.
The Police Department shall, within the township, preserve the peace, protect life and property and prevent and detect crime. It shall have all the functions, powers and duties prescribed by regulations, ordinances or general law for a municipal police force.
The Department of Police shall consist of the Chief of Police, Lieutenant(s), Sergeant(s) and such other number of officers, policemen and personnel as the Council shall consider necessary for the welfare and protection of persons and property in the township. Members of the Police Department shall be appointed by the Township Council.
[Amended 3-1-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-01]
The Chief of Police shall be directly responsible to the Township Council for the efficiency and routine day-to-day operations of the Department and shall, pursuant to policies established by the Township Council:
A. 
Administer and enforce rules, regulations and special emergency directives for the disposition and discipline of the force and its officers and personnel.
B. 
Have, exercise and discharge the functions, powers and duties of the force.
C. 
Prescribe the duties and assignments of all subordinates and other personnel.
D. 
Delegate such of his authority as he may deem necessary for the efficient operation of the force, to be exercised under his direction and supervision.
E. 
Report monthly to the Township Council’s designated liaison on the operation of the force during the preceding month and make such other reports as may be requested by the Township Council or its designated liaison.
A. 
Promotions in the Police Department shall be based upon merit, to be ascertained by examinations provided by the New Jersey Department of Personnel in accordance with applicable state law and as may be provided in a negotiated contract between the police officers and the township, provided that the terms of any such negotiated contract shall not conflict with applicable state law.
B. 
Vacancies in higher rank in the Police Department shall be filled by promotion, as far as it is consistent with the best interests of the Department, following competitive tests open to those who have served a minimum time established by regulation in the lower rank as designated.
C. 
There shall be open and competitive examinations for the position of Police Chief, Lieutenant and Sergeant provided by the New Jersey Department of Personnel. Any applicant, to be eligible, must be a resident of the State of New Jersey.
A. 
The powers and duties of the police and members of the Police Department shall be as prescribed by the laws of this state, the ordinances and resolutions of the Township of Lopatcong and such rules and regulations as may now or hereafter be adopted for the government and discipline of the Department.
B. 
The Chief of Police shall make rules and regulations for the control and management of the Police Department, subject to approval by the Township Council; and such police force shall be under the direction of the Chief of Police, who shall be responsible for the efficiency and discipline of the Department. In the absence or disability of the Chief, his duties shall be assumed by the next officer in command in order of rank.
The compensation of the Chief of Police and members of the Police Department, together with the compensation of other personnel of the Department, shall be determined by resolution or ordinance of the Township Council.