[Amended 3-1-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-02]
The Police Department of the Township of Hardyston
is hereby established and shall consist of a Chief of Police, not
more than one Captain, not more than two Lieutenants, not more than
four Sergeants and not more than 14 patrolmen. In addition, there
shall be such full-time or part-time dispatchers as may be appointed
by the Township Manager, one secretary to the Chief of Police (or
secretary/dispatcher) and one records clerk (or clerk/dispatcher).
The term "patrolmen" shall include patrol officers, detectives and
probationary officers. No new office or position shall be created
other than by ordinance.
All members of the Police Department shall be
appointed by the Township Manager in accordance with procedures established
by the Township Council.
The Police Department shall be under the ultimate
control of the Township Council and the administrative direction of
the Township Manager.
The Township Council shall establish by resolution
and may from time to time amend and repeal by resolution such rules
and regulations as it deems necessary for the government and efficient
working of the entire Department. Rules and regulations, when adopted,
shall be posted by the Township Manager within five days after the
adoption thereof in the room in the Municipal Building assigned to
the Police Department, and a copy thereof delivered to every member
of the Department within five days after the adoption of the rules
and regulations or any amendment or repeal thereof.
[Amended 9-15-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-11]
A. Each applicant
for membership in the Department shall be required to comply with
all the laws of the State of New Jersey pertaining thereto. No person
shall be given or accept a permanent appointment as a police officer
in the Township unless he or she has first been given a probationary
or temporary appointment to the office or position for a period of
not longer than one year and 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 1959.
B. No person
shall be appointed to the Police Department as a regular or probationary
member unless he or she is between the age of 21 and 35 years, except
as provided by law in the case of veterans. The applicant shall be
a citizen of the United States of America.
Each member of the Police Department shall,
before entering upon the performance of his or her duties, take and
subscribe an oath to bear true faith and allegiance to the government
established in this state, to support the Constitutions of the United
States of America and the State of New Jersey, and to faithfully,
impartially and justly discharge and perform all the duties of his
or her office, which oath or affirmation shall be filed with the Clerk.
The Police Department shall:
A. Preserve the public peace, protect life and property,
prevent crime, detect and arrest offenders against the penal laws
and ordinances effective within the Township, suppress riots, mobs
and insurrections, disperse unlawful or dangerous assemblages and
preserve order at all elections and public meetings and assemblages.
B. Administer and enforce laws and ordinances to regulate,
direct, control and restrict the movement of vehicular and pedestrian
traffic and the use of the streets by vehicles and persons, to protect
the safety and facilitate the convenience of motorists and pedestrians
and to make and enforce rules and regulations not inconsistent with
the ordinances and resolutions of the Township for such purposes.
C. Remove or cause to be removed all nuisances in the
public streets, parks and other public places of the Township, inspect
and observe all places of public amusement or assemblage and all places
of business requiring any state or municipal license or permit and
report thereon to the appropriate Department.
D. Provide proper police attendance and protection at
fires.
E. Provide for the attendance of its members in court
as necessary for the prosecution and trial of persons charged with
crimes and offenses and cooperate fully with the law enforcement and
prosecuting authorities of federal, state and county governments;
operate a training program to maintain and improve the police efficiency
of the members of the Department.
[Amended 7-18-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-14]
A. The Township Council may appoint special law enforcement
officers for a term not exceeding one year and revoke the appointments
without cause or hearing. Special law enforcement officers shall carry
out their duties and responsibilities under the direct supervision
of the Chief of Police, and their powers, rights and duties shall
be specifically defined by the Chief of Police. Those powers, rights
and duties shall immediately cease at the expiration of the term for
which they were appointed or upon revocation of their appointment.
A special officer shall not be issued or carry firearms unless he
or she has successfully competed the state-mandated firearms training
course or has requalified as provided by law and as directed by the
Chief of Police. Resolutions approving the appointment of special
police officers shall designate their rate of pay, if any.
B. No person shall be appointed as a special law enforcement
officer unless he or she has successfully completed the state-mandated
training course; is a citizen of the United States; is able to read,
write and speak the English language; is physically qualified and
of good moral character; and shall not have been convicted of any
crime. Every special law enforcement officer shall be fingerprinted
and his or her fingerprints shall be filed with the Division of the
State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Reports shall
be made by the Chief of Police to the Township Council concerning
the eligibility and qualifications of any persons proposed to be appointed
a special law enforcement officer.
[Amended 7-18-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-14]
The hours of employment of uniformed members
and officers of the Police Department shall be in accordance with
the current contract between the Township and the police officers'
bargaining unit.
All firearms which may be provided by the Township
shall remain the property of the Township.
All promotions to superior positions in the
Police Department shall be made by the Township Manager from the membership
of the Department as constituted at the time of promotion and shall
be made in accordance with procedures established by the Township
Council.
In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A.
40A:14-118, the Township Council may from time to time appoint committees
or commissions to conduct investigations of the operations of the
police force, and may delegate to such committees or commissions such
powers of inquiry as the Council deems necessary, or to conduct such
hearing or investigation as authorized by law. Nothing herein contained
shall prevent the Township Manager who is charged with the general
administrative responsibilities within the municipality from examining
at any time the operations of the police force or the performance
of any officer or member thereof. In addition, nothing shall infringe
on or limit the power or duty of the Township Manager to act to provide
for the health, safety or welfare of the municipality in an emergency
situation through special emergency directives.
[Amended 3-20-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-03]
Whenever the Chief of Police authorizes the assignment of a Township police officer or a special officer to a quasi-public duty, the party requesting the service shall pay the Township fees as set forth in Chapter
88, Fees, §
88-4. A fee shall be paid in accordance with that same section if a patrol vehicle is needed.