All command officers and police officers appointed by the Mayor
and Council shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
A.
Specific requirements. It shall be the duty of each police officer
of the Borough of Westville to acquaint himself at all times with
the Borough ordinances, the rules and regulations governing the Department
and the general orders; to closely examine all cases where he may
have a reason to suspect that an ordinance or a state law may be violated;
to report the same to the officer in command. Failure on the part
of any member of the Department to comply with the requirements of
this section shall be sufficient grounds for penalties that may be
prescribed or, as the case may be, for immediate dismissal.
B.
General responsibilities. In addition to the specific duties specified
herein, each officer of the Police Department, commensurate with his
rank or assignment, shall:
(1)
Have the responsibility and obligation to uphold the Constitution
and the laws of the State of New Jersey and the ordinances of the
Borough of Westville.
(2)
Have the responsibility to carry out the orders of the Chief of Police
and all superior officers, whether such orders are written or verbal.
(3)
Maintain order and morality, preserve the peace, prevent crime, protect
life and property, and detect and arrest criminals.
(4)
Investigate crimes, make legal arrests and serve subpoenas.
(5)
Be responsible for maintaining good public relations.
(6)
Prevent accidents, provide emergency service for sick, injured and
insane persons, locate missing persons, recover missing property,
regulate traffic and give guidance and information about the Borough.
(7)
Supervise the work of personnel assigned to him through individual
discussions, conferences and written orders.
(8)
Be responsible for the investigations of any unlawful acts being
preformed or existing in the Borough, including but not limited to
gambling, vice, and crime.
(9)
Be responsible for the transmittal of all necessary orders and directives
to his subordinates and to his relief.
(10)
Familiarize himself with all other orders issued to him by superior
officers and with all relevant orders issued to the officer he relieves.
(11)
Assure himself that subordinates are adhering to all rules,
regulations, orders and procedures of the Department.
(12)
Be responsible for the quality and effectiveness of police services
rendered by his subordinates.
(13)
Be responsible for the conduct and discipline of his subordinates.
(14)
Prepare cases for court, attend hearings and testify before
courts, as required.
(15)
Make an immediate written report to a superior officer of any
bribe attempt.
(16)
Treat the public with courtesy and respect, keeping in mind
the necessity of public respect for the police force.
(17)
Render police assistance when needed, regardless of whether
he is on or off duty, or on special assignment.
(18)
Ensure the order and cleanliness of Borough property and equipment
assigned to him.
(19)
Report immediately, in writing, to his superior officers the
loss of any equipment necessary for the performance of his duty.
(20)
Give his name upon proper request.
(21)
Maintain a notebook for the purpose of filing Departmental directives
issued by the Chief of Police. Such directives shall instruct and
guide personnel in the performance of their duties.
C.
Off-duty jobs. No off-duty job shall interfere with or impair the
availability of the police officer to perform all aspects of his duties
as a Police Department member.
D.
Availability for duty. All police officers shall devote their whole
time and attention to the services of the Department. Although certain
hours may be allotted for the performance of regular tours of duty,
officers are considered at all times available for duty and must act
promptly at any time their services are required except when on authorized
leave or in the event of disability.
E.
Political activities prohibited. No member of the Police Department
shall be actively engaged in electioneering or other actions of a
political or party nature or shall in any manner, when on duty, interfere
with any election in this state, nor shall any police officer be present
at the polls at any election except such reasonable time as may be
required by him for the purpose of voting, unless he shall be detailed
by the Police Chief to be present for the preservation of peace and
good order during the election.
The responsibility for the assignment of any police personnel
to any division or section and his/her reassignment shall be the responsibility
of the Chief of Police. In the absence of establishment of division
or sections, the responsibility for the assignment of any duties shall
be the responsibility of the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police
shall have the following additional duties and responsibilities:
A.
Such person is responsible for the general directions, control and
supervision of the Police Department as authorized and provided by
the statute, ordinances, rules, regulations, and directives of the
Mayor and Council.
B.
Such person shall be the head of the Department and shall be the
final Departmental authority in all matters of policy, operations,
and discipline and shall:
(1)
Be responsible for the prevention of criminality and the repression
of criminal activity and protection of life and property, preservation
of peace, and public compliance with all governing laws. The Chief
of Police shall be supplied with officers, special law enforcement
officers and support personnel, as needed, and equipment to assist
in the attainment of these objectives, and he must organize, direct,
coordinate, and control in a manner that will ensure the most effective
and economical accomplishment of purpose.
(2)
Be responsible for the observation and endorsement of all laws of
the state and ordinances of the Borough of Westville, as well as the
enforcement of the rules and regulations of the Police Department,
and shall perform such duties as shall be prescribed by ordinance
of the Borough of Westville.
(3)
Instruct and direct all members of the Police Department, including
commanding officers, police officers, special law enforcement officers
and support personnel assigned to active duty with respect to their
duty; and shall require that all such duties be properly preformed
and that all rules and regulations herein established be strictly
obeyed and complied with; shall generally maintain a high degree of
efficiency on the part of the Police Department and the special law
enforcement officers assigned to active duty.
(4)
Be the executive officer of the Department, subject to rules and
regulations and orders as the Mayor and Council hereafter prescribed,
and be responsible to the Mayor and Council for the conduct, management
and efficiency of the Police Department.
(5)
Have charge of all property of the Borough used by the Department
and by the special law enforcement officers and shall attend to the
repair and maintenance of all such property and equipment to ensure
effective use.
(6)
Receive and have custody of lost personal property found by members
of the Police Department, special law enforcement officers assigned
to active duty or by other persons and delivered to the Police Department;
have the custody or personal property stolen or wrongfully taken and
thereafter recovered by the Police Department or by the special law
enforcement officers assigned to active duty; and take proper measures
for the purpose of returning all such personal property to the owner
or disposing of same as per applicable state law.[1]
(7)
With the prior approval of the Mayor and Council, establish such
bureaus or divisions as may be required for the proper functioning
of the Department's work and shall assign the officers under
his command to such duties as judged in the best interest of the Department.
(8)
Assign and/or change the hours of any personnel under his command,
assign such members of the Department to special duty or require them
to perform extra duty whenever there is a necessity for the same.
(9)
Devote energies and plan activities for the health, welfare, safety
and general well-being of the citizens and residents of the Borough.
He shall stimulate in the members of the Police Department a concern
for the well-being of all the people and property in the community
and an appreciation and respect for the rights and liberty of all
persons. He shall constantly require the members of the Police Department
to strive for a high degree of excellence in the quality of law enforcement
and service rendered by them.
(10)
Whenever it may be necessary or advisable, assign any one or
more of the special law enforcement officers to the performance of
active police duties on a temporary basis.
(11)
For just cause, suspend from duty any police officer in the
Department, and shall present to the Mayor and Council without delay
a written report setting forth reasons for suspending an officer,
and if the suspension is for more than five days, request a hearing
before the Mayor and Council. Special law enforcement officers and
support personnel may be suspended as allowed by applicable state
law.
(12)
For just cause, relieve from active duty, with or without pay,
for not more than five days, any police personnel who have violated
or has violated any terms of provisions of this chapter or the rules
and regulations herein established. He shall notify the Mayor and
Council of such action taken; provided, however, that such member
of the Police Department will have the right to appeal from the action
described herein.
(13)
Be the supervisory head of any bureau or division that exists
or may be formed within the Police Department, and may designate a
member of the Police Department to be the officer in charge of any
bureau or division when deemed necessary or advisable for the efficient
operation of the same.
(14)
Delegate such powers as may be deemed necessary for the efficient
administration of the Department, to be exercised under his direction
and supervision.
(15)
Report monthly to the Mayor and Council on the work of the Department.
Such report shall be prepared in a form directed or approved by the
Mayor and Council.
(16)
Prepare an annual report regarding the status of the Police
Department during the proceeding year, recommendations, if any, regarding
steps to be taken to upgrade police work within the Borough of Westville,
and finally, the recommendations for changes, if any, regarding the
form and nature of this chapter.
(17)
Prepare and recommend that the Mayor and Council adopt rules
and regulations for the control, disposition, and discipline of the
Police Department. Such rules may pertain to training, efficiency,
the use and care of equipment and apparatus, and all other appropriate
matters pertaining to the operations of the Police Department.
Command officers and police officers of the Borough of Westville
Police Department shall hold their respective offices and employment
and continue in such during good behavior, efficiency, and compliance
with the requirements established by the chapter and applicable law.
Except as otherwise provided by law, no command officer, including
the Chief of Police or police officer of the Borough of Westville
Police Department, shall be removed from office, employment, or position
for any cause other than incapacity, misconduct, disobedience of the
rules and regulations established for the government of the Police
Department, violation of this chapter, commission of a crime, misuse
and/or abuse of equipment, and/or as a consequence of budgetary constraints.
In addition, no such member or officer shall be suspended, removed,
fined, or reduced in rank from his office, employment or position
thereon except from just cause as herein provided, and then only upon
a written complaint setting forth the charge or charges against such
member or officer. The complaint shall be filed in the office of the
Chief of Police, and a copy shall be served upon the member or the
officer so charged with notice of a designated hearing thereon by
the Mayor and Council, which hearing shall not be less than 15 nor
more than 30 days from the date of service of the complaint. Special
law enforcement officers and support personnel may be removed from
the office as allowed by applicable state law. The regulations above
described apply to each member of the Police Department.
