[Amended 11-19-1973 by Ord. No. 73-9; 10-17-1983 by Ord. No.
1983-31; 7-2-1990 by Ord. No. 1990-30; 12-17-1990 by Ord. No.
1990-39; 3-20-1995 by Ord. No. 1995-3[2] ]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Divisions of Inspections
and Court Affairs, originally a part of this Article, were relocated
to Arts. IX and VIII, respectively, 11-19-1973 by Ord. No. 73-9.
[2]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also included
the following:
"SECTION 5. The Township Council of the Township
of Mount Laurel is hereby declared to be the appropriate authority,
as the expression is utilized in the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118.
"SECTION 6. The Chief of Police shall have
the responsibility of providing for the promulgation, adoption and
amendment of rules and regulations for the government of the Police
Department and for the discipline of its members. Such rules and regulations
shall include, but not be limited to, provisions concerning the operation,
performance and discipline and any and all other regulatory provisions
necessary and appropriate for the efficient functioning of the Mount
Laurel Township Police Department. The authority of the Chief of Police
as provided in this section shall be subject to the general supervision
of the Township Manager.
"SECTION 7. The Township Manager is hereby
provided with the power to approve all such rules and regulations
promulgated by the Chief of Police. Final adoption of rules and regulations,
as currently constituted or as amended from time to time, shall be
by the Township Council. Such approval by the Township Council shall
be by resolution.
"SECTION 8. The Chief of Police of Mount Laurel
Township, as appointed in the year 1995, shall cause the functions
of the Chief of Police, as set forth in this ordinance, to become
a part of the Rules and Regulations of the Mount Laurel Township Police
Department.
There is hereby created a Department of Police
in the Township of Mount Laurel, which henceforth shall be known as
the "Mount Laurel Township Police Department." Within the Mount Laurel
Township Police Department, the highest ranking officer shall be the
Chief of Police, who will serve as the administrative head of the
Police Department.
The Chief of Police is the ranking head officer
of the Police Department and shall have complete authority over all
police personnel, functions and operations. The Chief of Police exercises
all powers of his or her office and issues such orders, directives,
policies and procedures as may be necessary to ensure the efficient
and effective performance of the Police Department.
A.Â
Responsibilities. The Chief of Police is responsible
for training, instruction and assignment of all police personnel and
shall:
(1)Â
Be the administrative officer of the Police Department.
(2)Â
Organize and control all resources of the Police Department
and be responsible for their care and safekeeping.
(3)Â
Develop the organizational structure of the Police
Department and shall integrate related activities under the control
of intermediate supervisors, holding them responsible for the effective
performance of such duties.
(4)Â
Be responsible for the investigation and adjudication
of all complaints concerning performance of services or duties performed
by members of the Police Department.
(5)Â
Prescribe the table of organization for the Department,
subject to the approval of the Township Manager.
(6)Â
Maintain a constructive relationship with the media
and the public.
(7)Â
Report at least annually, or as otherwise directed
by the Township Manager, to the Office of the Township Manager (and
the township governing body).
(8)Â
Enforce all laws and ordinances falling within the
jurisdiction of the Police Department.
(9)Â
Faithfully and promptly obey and cause all personnel
of the Police Department to obey all rules, regulations and orders.
(10)Â
Maintain the discipline and efficiency of the Police
Department.
(11)Â
Ensure the supervision of police activity and working
conditions.
(12)Â
Exercise such executive authority and supervision
of Department work as he or she deems necessary.
(13)Â
In case of riot, insurrection or threat thereof, take
command of the Police Department in person and direct the movements
of police personnel and operations.
(14)Â
Be responsible for the maintenance of a daily police
attendance record in which each member shall record his or her name,
rank and time of reporting and leaving duty, complaints and matters
pertaining to the Police Department and other records as required.
(15)Â
Establish procedures for the determination of charges
of violation of Department rules and regulations or violation of other
laws by any member of the Department, in accordance with the Township
Code and law.
(16)Â
Have and exercise all the functions, powers and duties
of a department head as prescribed by the Administrative Code of the
Township of Mount Laurel.
(17)Â
Become a member of the International Association of
Chiefs of Police, New Jersey State Chiefs of Police Association and
such other law enforcement organizations as the Township Manager shall
approve, and membership in said groups shall be paid by the Township
of Mount Laurel. However, all magazines, pamphlets, monographs, books
and outlines received as a result of said membership, and the Law
Enforcement Bulletin and other publications received from the Federal
Bureau of Investigation shall become the property of Mount Laurel
Township and shall be maintained in a safe and secure place within
the Police Department of the Township of Mount Laurel and shall be
made available to all members of the police force.
(18)Â
Ensure a receipt of a copy, by each member of the
Police Department, of the Police Manual of the Mount Laurel Township
Police, as it is currently constituted and as it may be, from time
to time, amended and supplemented.
(19)Â
Acquire for each member of the Police Department a
copy of the Police Manual of New Jersey Statutes or similar publication.
Said manual shall guide all members of the Police Department in matters
pertaining to crimes, criminal procedures, the Disorderly Persons
Act, the Drug Law, the Motor Vehicle Act and court rules and practice.
B.Â
Functions. The Chief of Police shall conduct the affairs
of the Police Department, interpret and apply the policies of the
appropriate authority, coordinate the operations of the units and
the activities of the staff within the Police Department, conduct
public relations and implement the internal disciplinary process.
C.Â
Authority and responsibility. The authority and responsibility
of the Chief of Police is subject to the policies, predicated on law,
of the appropriate authority, the ordinances of the Township of Mount
Laurel and the laws of the State of New Jersey.
D.Â
Operations and activities. The Chief of Police shall
administer and coordinate the activities and approve operating plans
and he or she shall:
(1)Â
Set the administrative policies of the Police Department.
(2)Â
Allocate funds within the budget which are approved
by the Township Council.
(3)Â
Recommend adjustments in the salary and working benefits
for members of the Police Department in conformance with existing
collective bargaining agreements.
E.Â
Personnel and financial policies. The Chief of Police
shall administer personnel and financial policies in conformance with
the ordinances of the Township of Mount Laurel and the laws of the
State of New Jersey. The Chief of Police shall:
(1)Â
Cause examination to determine the qualifications
of persons applying for positions.
(2)Â
Recommend promotions, demotions, release or other
disciplinary measures, subject to the ordinances of the Township of
Mount Laurel and the laws of the State of New Jersey and the provisions
of any applicable collective bargaining agreements.
(3)Â
Require that all personnel be trained in approved
training programs.
(4)Â
Grant temporary leaves of absence to members of the
Department with the approval of the appropriate authority.
(5)Â
Submit the annual budget and proposed expenditure
programs to the Township Manager.
(6)Â
Approve payment from allotted funds for operating
expenses and capital expenditure.
[Added 3-17-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-4]
There is created the position of Deputy Police
Chief of the Township of Mount Laurel. The Deputy Police Chief shall
be appointed in the same manner as the Chief of Police, and his or
her qualifications for said appointment shall be the same as the Chief
of Police. The said Deputy Police Chief shall be under the direction
and supervision of the Chief of Police.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 4-42, Head
of Division of Police, was repealed 7-2-1990 by Ord. No. 1990-30.
[Added 3-17-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-4]
A.Â
The Deputy Police Chief shall be under the control
and supervision of the Chief of Police. The said Deputy shall perform
the duties pursuant to the direction of the Chief in a manner that
makes the Mount Laurel Township Police Department efficient and responsive
to the public safety needs of the community.
B.Â
During the illness, absence or resignation of the
Chief of Police, the Deputy Police Chief shall conduct the business
of the Police Department as the Acting Chief of Police until such
time as the return to duty of the said Chief or the appointment of
a new Chief of Police.
C.Â
Nothing herein shall preclude the Deputy Police Chief
from seeking the position of Chief of Police in the event a vacancy
occurs in the Chief position. Nevertheless, the provisions hereof
shall not interfere with the powers of the appointing authority to
conduct an appropriate review of all candidates to the Chief position
and thereafter make the proper appointment to the Chief's position.
D.Â
The Deputy Police Chief shall retain the rank as second
in chain-of-command within the Police Department.
The Division of Police shall be organized, constituted
and administered as heretofore established by ordinance, to the extent
that any such ordinance is not inconsistent with the Charter and this
chapter (see Manual of Police Department Rules and Regulations adopted
January 1969, as amended July 21, 1969).
