A.
No person shall be appointed a member of the Police
Department unless he or she possesses the requisite qualifications
prescribed by the applicable statutes of New Jersey relating to age,
residence and other qualifications and eligibility requirements.
B.
Every person to whom an offer of appointment has been
extended shall be required to undergo a physical and psychological
examination by medical personnel selected by the Township. The offer
of appointment shall be conditioned on the examination results to
the extent permitted by law. All results will be kept confidential.
C.
No person shall be appointed an officer or member
of the Police Department who has not taken a written and oral examination
prescribed by the Township Committee and certified by the examiners
as having the proper qualifications.
D.
Probationary period for initial and promotional appointments.
All appointments to the position of patrolman/woman shall, for a period
of one year from initial appointment, serve a one-year probationary
period as a full-time probationary officer following the examinations
prescribed by the Township Committee.
(1)
Initial appointments. During the probationary period,
a newly appointed patrolman/woman, who does not retain any type of
permanent status with the Police Department, may be dismissed at the
discretion of the Township Committee, only after proper preliminary
notice has been given and an opportunity for a hearing afforded the
patrolman/woman.
(2)
Acting assignments. The Chief of Police, subject to
the approval of the Township Committee, may direct officers to perform
the duties of higher or lower ranks in the Police Department on an
acting basis as may be necessary due to vacancies, leaves of absence
or similar need. Acting assignments may be made and terminated at
the discretion of the Chief of Police, subject to the approval of
the Township Committee. No person shall have any tenure, right or
expectancy in any acting assignment.
A.
No person may be appointed to the Police Department
of the Township of Hanover unless he/she is a citizen of the United
States and the State of New Jersey, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-122
and N.J.S.A. 40A:14-122.8.
B.
There is hereby authorized the appointment and the
retention of future officers or members of the Police Department,
notwithstanding that said appointment and retention do not meet the
residency requirements previously set forth by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-122
or by any other applicable law.
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.
