A Police Department is hereby established in the Borough of
Haddon Heights pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118 et seq.
The Police Department may consist of a Chief of Police, a Captain, a Lieutenant, four Platoon Sergeants, a Detective, 10 patrol officers, and special law enforcement officers and such other employees and police officers as the Borough Council may determine to be necessary, who shall perform the duties hereinafter set forth and such other duties as may be prescribed by rules and regulations promulgated from time to time for the government of the Police Department, as provided in § 75-8.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Borough
Council may make such temporary appointments to any rank on such terms
and conditions as the Council may determine to be in the best interests
of the Borough.
A.
The Chief of Police shall be the executive head of the Police Department
and shall be responsible for its efficient operation. All orders and
instructions to the members of the Department shall be transmitted
through the Chief, who shall be under the supervision of and responsible
to the Mayor, and Director of Police and Fire, as appointed by the
Borough Council.
B.
It shall be their duty to obey all rules and regulations for the
government of the Police Department and to see that they are strictly
obeyed by all members of the Police Department, and they shall:
(1)
See that all public laws and Borough ordinances are enforced.
(2)
Assign the duties and work schedules of their subordinates.
(3)
Have authority to suspend any subordinate, without pay, pending hearing
and disposition by the Mayor and Director of Police and Fire of written
charges.
(4)
Submit to Mayor and Council, at its regular meeting each month, a
written report of the activities of the Police Department during the
previous month.
(5)
Submit to Mayor and Council, at its organization meeting, a consolidated
written report of the activities of the Police Department during the
preceding calendar year.
(6)
Notify the Mayor and Director of Police and Fire if illness or other
cause shall require their absence from duty.
(7)
Keep, with the assistance of such subordinate as they shall designate,
a book to be known as the "Desk Complaints, Incident Reports and Log
Book," in which shall be entered all happenings, circumstances or
events which shall occur during each day in which the Police Department
or any of its members shall be involved. The record shall disclose:
C.
They are the administrative head and the commanding officer of the
Police Department. Subject to the rules and regulations prescribed
by the Mayor and Director of Police and Fire, they shall maintain
or cause to have maintained constant supervision of the general conduct
and efficiency of the Police Department and shall be responsible therefor.
D.
It shall be their duty to see that the laws of the state and ordinances
of the Borough are duly observed and enforced throughout the Borough.
E.
They will, within the limits of the budget of the Department, submit
estimates of costs and requests for equipment and personnel deemed
necessary to handle the business of the Department.
F.
They are responsible for the contact, liaison and cooperation of
the Police Department with other departments of the Borough and the
departments and agencies of federal, state and other local governments.
G.
They shall have the power to assign any and all members of the Department
to their respective duties and to require them to perform the same,
and they shall assign the officers in their command to such duties
as, in their judgment, shall be for the best interest of the Department
and for the safety and welfare of the residents of the Borough of
Haddon Heights.
H.
They shall appoint a ranking officer to be their Executive Officer
for the purpose of putting into effect all orders and instructions
that may be issued from time to time.
A.
The Captain of Police is next in command to the Chief of Police,
and in every case of absence or disability of the Chief of Police,
the Captain shall perform all of the duties of the Chief of Police.
B.
The Captain shall have the following duties, responsibilities and
authority:
(1)
They will assist the Chief with the administration of the Department
in personnel assignments, vacation schedules, equipment requirements,
etc.
(2)
They will ensure that general orders, departmental procedures and
assignments are being executed thoroughly and promptly.
(3)
They will observe the Lieutenant, Sergeants, Detective and patrol
officers in the performance of their daily duties and will comment
and instruct if necessary.
(4)
They will review all police reports and prescribe action, as indicated.
(5)
They shall see that every member of the Police Department is properly
instructed in their duties by the Sergeants, paying particular attention
to the instructions of new members of the force. They shall see that
the Sergeants require all members of the Department to be attired
in the proper uniform, with the proper equipment to perform their
duties.
(6)
They shall, from time to time, review the manner in which the crossing
guards perform their duties and instruct if necessary.
(7)
They shall be directly responsible to the Chief of Police for the
maintaining of all records, data, files and inventory of the Police
Department. They shall ensure that a modern and progressive filing
system is kept and supervise its maintenance and security.
(8)
They will make observations of new procedures and review existing
procedures so as to make recommendations for increased efficiency.
They shall supervise all personnel assigned to them and be responsible
for their conduct and efficiency.
(9)
They shall keep records of all supplies, equipment and materials
assigned to the Police Department and shall know their whereabouts
or to whom they are assigned. They shall also keep the running inventory,
know the average rate of consumption and reorder when necessary.
(10)
They shall make up the Department payroll and submit it to the proper
office for processing of pay.
(11)
They shall keep a record of the time of Department personnel and
such other records as the Chief of Police may direct.
(12)
They shall not depart from established policy in their duties or
responsibilities.
(13)
They shall perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the
Chief of Police.
(14)
They shall be the Court Officer for the Department.
(15)
They shall assist with zoning enforcement.
(16)
They shall be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of all departmental
vehicles.
A.
The rank of Lieutenant shall be next in command to the Police Captain.
In the case of the absence of the Captain, the Lieutenant shall perform
all duties of the Captain.
B.
The Lieutenant shall have the following duties, responsibilities
and authority:
(1)
Shall have charge of police investigative activities providing supervision
to personnel while performing their investigative functions as well
as the direct supervision of the Class II and Class III officers assigned
to the Board of Education.
(2)
They are directly responsible for overseeing all the duties of the
Detective Bureau, including, but not limited to, assignment and instruction
of subordinates in investigative practices and related law enforcement
problems.
(3)
Receive complaints and make necessary investigations.
(4)
Provide needed information to citizens and others.
(5)
Give testimony in court.
(6)
Prepare and direct the preparation of reports.
(7)
Enforce departmental rules and regulations and insure compliance
with departmental policies and procedures.
(8)
Learn and utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording
and computerized information systems used by the Department.
(9)
Correct and edit data in electronic (live-scan) fingerprinting system
or fingerprint cards. Communicate with patrol on inaccurate submissions.
(10)
Notify the officer and their immediate supervisor of missing
or incomplete submissions.
(11)
Identify those complaints that are required to have fingerprints
submitted to the NJSP Records Unit.
(12)
Conduct background checks on departmental personnel, solicitor
permit applicants and any request from outside agencies on current
or former residents and forward results to the Chief of Police and
requesting agencies.
(13)
Enter cases into the Infoshare data base.
(14)
Check all case files for consistency and accuracy in data entry.
(15)
Perform all of the duties listed, and exercise the authority
and perform the duties of a Detective, patrol officer or Sergeant
when and if necessary.
(16)
Perform the duties of the evidence/property custodian.
(17)
Shall be the evidence/property officer under the direction of
the Captain and is responsible to receive, inventory and maintain
custody of property and evidence submitted by Department personnel.
(18)
Maintain a written database that reflects status of property
at all times.
(19)
Assist officers in the proper packaging procedure and submissions
of evidence as well as conferring with them on the status of various
cases.
(20)
Act as a liaison with other agencies, including the courts,
prosecutors and probation office in matters of property and evidence.
(21)
Testify in court as an authority regarding the Department's
evidence procedures and practices.
(22)
Safely handle, store and package weapons, controlled dangerous
substances and biological items.
(23)
Log items into evidence and transported items to and from state
labs as required.
(24)
Conduct timely transportation of evidence for analysis to the
New Jersey State Police Labs in Hammonton, Sea Girt, Hamilton, Newark
and Trenton and shall pick up and return submissions to the Borough's
police evidence room along with provided reports.
(25)
Assist with the processing of items for forensic examination
and any additional duties assigned by the Captain or Chief.
A.
The Platoon Sergeant is next in command to the Lieutenant of Police
and, unless otherwise so stated, in every case of absence or disability
of the Chief of Police, the Captain of Police, and the Lieutenant
of Police will assume command during their tour of duty and will ensure
that general orders, departmental procedures and assignments are being
executed thoroughly and promptly.
B.
The Platoon Sergeant shall have the following duties, responsibilities
and authority:
(1)
It shall be the duty of the Platoon Sergeant to report at police
headquarters 20 minutes before their tour of duty starts to acquaint
themselves with police information and activity that has occurred
during their absence and to prepare themselves for their coming tour
of duty. They shall see that the officers under their command are
promptly instructed as to their duties and that all orders are promptly
and properly carried out.
(2)
They shall make careful inspection of each member of their platoon
to ascertain that they are properly uniformed and equipped to perform
their duties properly. If any patrol officer in their platoon are
in any way unfit for duty or improperly uniformed or equipped, they
shall report such fact to their superior officer immediately. In the
absence of a superior officer, they will take the necessary measures
to correct this situation.
(3)
They shall see that officers reporting to them properly relieve the
officers who are going off duty, without reasonable delay.
(4)
They shall constantly patrol the Borough, and they shall check on
the work of the patrol officers on traffic and in patrol cars and
determine whether police duties, orders and instructions are promptly
and efficiently performed.
(5)
During their tour of duty they shall inspect or supervise such inspection
of all police vehicles used by them or the officers under their command,
noting their condition and serviceability, and if they finds that
any police vehicle is in need of repair or unsafe to operate they
shall notify the Captain and submit a report to them.
(6)
They shall prepare a daily activity report, listing the activities
of the officers under their command during their tour of duty. They
shall list all summonses issued, record the mileage for each patrol
car and have each vehicle used by them or officers in their command
inspected, noting their condition before their tour of duty ends.
(7)
They shall review all written reports made by the officers under
their command during their tour of duty, and if they meet with their
approval, they shall so approve them. If reports fail to meet with
their approval, they shall instruct as to the proper form and information
to be supplied. All police activity occurring within a tour of duty
must be properly reported, in writing and on the prescribed forms,
before the Sergeant and the officers under their command leave the
police station.
(8)
If they are unable to report for duty because of illness, they shall
notify the senior officer on their shift and relay any information
of concern to the senior officer.
(9)
They are responsible for the operation of the headquarters and their
dispatcher.
(10)
They shall accept bail for persons charged with offenses in which
the Department is authorized to accept bail. They shall, during their
tour of duty, keep all such moneys or other moneys coming into their
possession in a place provided solely for such purpose.
(11)
They shall be responsible for all moneys received, property taken
from prisoners, either as evidence of a crime or for safekeeping,
and/or any other moneys, valuables or other property entrusted to
them. They will complete the necessary forms for held or confiscated
property, making certain that one copy is filed properly and the other
copy is given as a receipt.
(12)
They shall be responsible for all prisoners who are confined to cells
and shall make sure that all persons confined are searched. They shall
not permit the confinement in a cell of any unconscious person or
any person in need of medical attention. They shall summon a doctor
to police headquarters or have such person or persons taken to a doctor
or to a hospital without unnecessary delay.
A.
The Mayor shall nominate and, with the advice and consent of the
Council, appoint the Chief, the Captain, the Lieutenant, the Sergeants,
the Detective, and the patrol officers, who shall severally hold their
respective offices and employment, subsequent to their probationary
appointment for those persons not presently members of the Police
Department, during good behavior and efficiency in the performance
of duty.
B.
The initial appointment of persons not presently permanent members
of the Police Department shall become permanent subsequent to a six-month
probationary period and successful completion of a police training
course as hereinafter provided, unless the appointee has been notified,
in writing, by the Police Committee, at least 15 days before the expiration
of the probationary period, that their appointment has been terminated.
C.
No person shall hereafter be given or accept a permanent appointment
as a police officer in the Borough of Haddon Heights unless such person
has successfully completed a police training course at a school approved
and authorized by the Police Training Commission in the Department
of Law and Public Safety of the State of New Jersey, pursuant to the
provisions of Chapter 56 of the Laws of 1961.
D.
This article shall not prohibit the giving or accepting of a probationary
or temporary appointment as a police officer, for a period not to
exceed one year, to enable a person seeking a permanent appointment
to complete a police training course as prescribed by the Police Training
Commission.
E.
A person who holds a probationary or temporary appointment as a police
officer in the Borough of Haddon Heights shall be permitted to take
a police training course, and such appointee shall be entitled to
a leave of absence with pay during the period of the police training
course.
The salary of all members of the Department shall be as prescribed
by the Salary Ordinance[1] of the Borough of Haddon Heights, as amended or supplemented
from time to time.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Salary Ordinance is on file in the Borough
offices.
A.
The Mayor shall, immediately upon this article's becoming effective
and annually thereafter at the organization meeting of Council, appoint
a Director of Police and Fire.
B.
The Mayor and Director of Police and Fire, subject to the approval
by the Council, shall from time to time make and promulgate such rules
and regulations, not in conflict with the laws of the State of New
Jersey or ordinances of the Borough, as they may deem necessary and
advisable for the government of the Department, which rules are hereby
incorporated herein and made a part hereof.
C.
The Mayor and Director of Police and Fire shall be the "appropriate
authority" in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-148, the hearing board established
under the rules and regulations is designated as the body to hear
and determine charges made against a member or officer of the Department.
A.
Creation of position. The Borough Council, as it deems necessary,
shall appoint special law enforcement officers sufficient to perform
the duties and responsibilities permitted by ordinance of the Borough
of Haddon Heights and authorized by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118. No such appointment
shall be made until the enforcement officer designated by the Chief
of Police, or in the absence of the Chief, the chief law enforcement
officer designated by the Chief of Police, shall have certified, in
writing, that an applicant for the position of special law enforcement
officer is both eligible and qualified to hold the position.
B.
Qualifications. No person may be appointed as a special law enforcement
officer unless such person:
(1)
Is a resident of the State of New Jersey during the term of the appointment.
(2)
Is able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently
and has a high school diploma or its equivalent.
(3)
Is sound in body and of good health.
(4)
Is of good moral character.
(5)
Has not been convicted of any offense involving dishonesty which
would make them unfit to perform the duties of the office of special
law enforcement.
(6)
Has successfully undergone the same psychological testing that is
required of all full-time police officers.
(7)
Complies with all other requirements set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8
et seq., the Administrative Rules and Regulations of the Division
of Police and the general ordinances of the Borough of Haddon Heights.
C.
Classification. Special law enforcement officers shall be classified
as belonging to either Class One or Class Two, based upon the duties
to be performed by each class, as follows:
(1)
Class One. Officers of this class shall be authorized to perform
routine traffic detail, spectator control and similar duties as may
be assigned by the Chief of Police or, in the absence of the Chief,
the law enforcement officer designated by the Chief of Police. Class
One officers shall have the power to issue summons for disorderly
persons and petty disorderly persons offenses, violations of Borough
ordinances and violations of N.J.S.A. 39:1-1 et seq. The use of a
firearm by a Class One special law enforcement officer shall be strictly
prohibited, and no Class One special law enforcement officer shall
be assigned any duty which may require the carrying or use of a firearm.
(2)
Class Two. Officers of this class shall be authorized to exercise
full powers and duties similar to those of a permanent regularly appointed
full-time police officer. The use of a firearm by a Class Two special
law enforcement officer may be authorized only after the officer shall
have been fully certified as successfully completing training, as
prescribed by the Police Training Commission established in the Department
of Law and Public Safety.
D.
Training course. No person shall commence duties as a special law
enforcement officer until having successfully completed a training
course approved by the Police Training Commission. In addition, no
Class Two special law enforcement officer shall be issued a firearm
prior to having successfully completed the basic firearms course required
by the Police Training Commission of permanent, regularly appointed
police and biannual requalification examinations.
E.
Persons ineligible for appointment. No person shall be eligible to
serve as a special law enforcement officer in the Borough if that
person intends to serve as a special law enforcement officer in another
municipality nor shall any permanent, regularly appointed full-time
police officer be permitted to simultaneously serve as a special law
enforcement officer in the Borough. No public official with responsibility
for setting law enforcement policy or exercising authority over the
budget of the Borough or supervision over the Division of Police shall
be appointed as a special law enforcement officer.
F.
Powers of authority. The Chief of Police, or in the absence of the
Chief of Police such other law enforcement officer designated by the
Chief, may authorize special law enforcement officers when on duty
to exercise the same powers and authority as permanent, regularly
appointed police officers, including, but not limited to, the carrying
of firearms and the power of arrest, subject to the rules and regulations,
not inconsistent with the certification requirements of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8
et seq., as may be established pursuant to the ordinances of the Borough
of Haddon Heights.
G.
Appointment; term; revocation. A special law enforcement officer
may be appointed for a term not to exceed one year. The powers and
duties of a special law enforcement officer shall cease at the expiration
of the term to which the special law enforcement officer shall have
been appointed. At the expiration of such term, the Council shall
have the absolute discretion in determining whether to reappoint.
The appointment of a special law enforcement officer may be revoked
by the Council for cause, after a hearing, unless the appointment
is for four months or less, in which event the appointment may be
revoked without cause or hearing. Special law enforcement officers
so appointed shall not be considered members of the police force of
the Borough of Haddon Heights.
H.
Duty times. A special law enforcement officer shall be deemed to
be on duty only while performing the public safety functions on behalf
of the Borough pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8 et seq., and when
receiving compensation, if any, from the Borough, at the rates or
stipends as established by ordinance. A special law enforcement officer
shall not be deemed to be on duty while performing private security
duties for private employers, which duties are not assigned by the
Chief of Police or their designee, or while receiving compensation
of such duties from a private employer. A special law enforcement
officer may, however, be assigned by the Chief of Police or their
designee to perform public safety functions for a private entity if
the Chief, or their designee, supervises the performance of the public
safety functions. If the Chief of Police, or their designee, assigns
a public safety duty and supervises the performance of those duties,
then, notwithstanding that the Borough is reimbursed for the cost
of assigning a special law enforcement officer at a private entity
or function, the special law enforcement officer shall be deemed to
be on duty. Every effort must be made by the Chief of Police to fulfill
public safety functions for private employers with the assignment
of overtime for permanent, regular officers first, prior to assigning
special law enforcement officers to perform these duties.
I.
Supervision; conduct. A special law enforcement officer shall be
under the supervision and direction of the Chief of Police, or their
designee, and shall perform all duties solely within the Borough,
unless in fresh pursuit of any person pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:156-1
et seq. A special law enforcement officer shall comply with the rules
and regulations applicable to the conduct and decorum of the permanent,
regularly appointed police officers of the Borough as well as all
rules and regulations applicable to the conduct and decorum of special
law enforcement officers.
J.
Hours worked; number of special law enforcement officers. No special
law enforcement officer may be employed, except during a period of
emergency, for more than 20 hours per week by the Police Department.
The number of Class One special law enforcement officers employed
by the Borough shall not exceed four. The number of Class Two special
law enforcement officers employed by the Borough shall not exceed
25% of the total regular police officers.
K.
Understanding. Special law enforcement officers may be employed only
to assist the Division of Police but may not be employed to replace
or substitute for full-time, regular police officers or in any way
diminish the number of full-time officers employed by the Borough.
In case of riot, mass breach of the peace or sudden or unanticipated
danger or emergency, the Mayor or, in their absence or disability,
the President of Council or, in their absence, the Director of Police
and Fire may appoint as many additional special law enforcement officers
as the occasion may demand.
All members of the Police Department and all special law enforcement
officers shall, before entering upon the duties of their office and
in any event within 10 days after their appointment, severally take
and subscribe to the oath of office as prescribed by the New Jersey
Statutes Annotated and file the same with the Borough Clerk.
Each member of the Police Department shall be presented with
a copy of the rules and regulations for the government of the Police
Department and shall be responsible for a complete knowledge thereof.
The headquarters of the Police Department is hereby established
at the Borough Hall and shall be open for the conduct of business
of the Department 24 hours of the day, including Sundays and holidays.
