Unless otherwise directed by the Chief of Police, command shall
be exercised by virtue of rank. In the case of equal rank, command
shall be exercised by virtue of length of service in such rank. In
the event the rank and length of services are equal, then command
shall be exercised by virtue of length of service in the next proceeding
rank. During the temporary absence of a commanding officer, when no
other provision is made by competent authority, command automatically
devolves upon the subordinate next in rank or upon the subordinate
present with seniority, if rank is equal. Members of the Department
who may be placed temporarily in the position of a member of higher
rank by proper authority shall exercise the authority and perform
the duties of such higher position and shall be held responsible in
like manner as if regularly appointed to such office. They shall not
alter or countermand any order issued by the member whose place they
temporarily occupy, except when the expediency of police action demands
or in cases of emergency action at variance to such order. In this
case, the member shall properly report in writing to his immediate
superior the reasons therefor.
Any reference to "police officer" shall include "patrolmen"
and/or "patrolwoman." In addition, use of the words "he" or "his"
in this chapter shall be deemed to include the words "she" or "her."
Every person appointed to the Police Department of the Borough
of Westville shall be required to take and subscribe to an oath or
affirmation as may be required and prescribed by the laws of the State
of New Jersey before his appointment by the Mayor and Council as set
forth in this chapter.
All active members of the Police Department on attaining the
age of 65 shall be retired from service. Active members hired prior
to January 1, 1987, may remain on active duty until age 68 or upon
attaining 25 years of service, whichever comes first.
All appointments of police officers to the Westville Police
Department shall be for a probationary period of one year or such
extended probationary period as allowed by applicable state statute.
No probationary police officer shall be given or accept a permanent
appointment unless he has successfully completed a police training
course at an approved school. Continuation of employment is dependent
upon the conduct of the appointee and the fitness of the appointee
to perform his duties. At the termination of the probationary period,
if the conduct, capacity or performance of the probationer has not
been satisfactory, he shall be notified, in writing, that he will
not receive absolute appointment, and his services shall be terminated
by the Chief of Police.
At or before the end of the probationary period, the Chief of
Police of the Westville Police Department shall report, in writing,
to the Mayor and Council regarding the progress made by the probationary
officer. Such report shall set forth the recommendation of the Chief
whether or not to continue the service of any such appointee. The
Mayor and Council shall determine whether or not to continue the employment
of the probationary officer. In the case of termination of service,
the Mayor and Council or its designee shall give written notice to
the appointee in question.
All persons appointed to the Police Department of the Borough
of Westville shall have their fingerprints taken, which fingerprints
shall be filed with the Division of State Police, as well as the Federal
Bureau of Investigation.
Each command officer, police officer, special law enforcement
officer and support personnel shall receive compensation as set forth
in the Salary Ordinance of the Borough of Westville.