Except as otherwise provided by law, no person
shall be appointed as a member of the Police Department unless he/she
is:
A. A citizen of the United States.
B. Able to satisfy the Board of Trustees of the Police
and Fireman's Retirement System of New Jersey as to his/her eligibility
for membership in the retirement system.
C. Able to read, write and speak the English language
well and intelligently.
D. Of good moral character and has not been convicted
of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude.
Except as otherwise provided by law, in order
to qualify for recruitment as a candidate for the rank of patrolman/woman,
individuals must have a minimum educational background equal to or
exceeding the following requirements:
A. Possession of a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science
degree in any field of study;
B. Attainment of an associate's degree in police science,
criminal justice or forensic science and is either enrolled or has
successfully completed all of the requirements of the Morris County
Fire Fighter and Police Academy Alternate Route Program; and/or
C. Attainment of an associate's degree in police science,
criminal justice or forensic science and has successfully completed
the basic police program offered by any police training academy recognized
by the New Jersey Police Training Commission and has, at a minimum,
two or more years of experience as a police officer.
The Township, when authorized to do so, may
employ such officers and other personnel for the Police Department
as temporary employees in emergencies or for certain specified parts
of the year, as needed.
Absence from duty without just cause or leave
of absence for a continuous period of five days shall be grounds for
removal.
Promotions to positions in the Police Department
shall be based upon merit as determined by suitable promotion tests
for such positions; provided, however, that a resident of the Township
of Hanover shall be appointed rather than a nonresident thereof in
any instance in which the resident and the nonresident achieved the
same final average score in such test. The preference granted by this
section shall in no way diminish, reduce or affect the preferences
to veterans pursuant to any other provision of law as prescribed under
N.J.S.A. 40A:14-122.6.
Every person appointed to the Police Department
of the Township of Hanover 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/her appointment by the
Township Committee as set forth in this chapter.
The permanent members of the Police Department
shall hold their respective offices and continue in their respective
employment during good behavior and efficiency. No member shall be
removed from office or employment in the Police Department for political
reasons or for any other cause than incapacity, misconduct or disobedience
of the rules and regulations established for the government and discipline
of the Police Department or any other just cause.