[Adopted 6-20-1950 by Ord. No. 648 (Ch. 54, Art. I, of the 1984 Code)]
[Amended 6-28-1954 by Ord. No. 702; 7-15-2004 by Ord. No. 1921]
The Police Department of the Borough of North Arlington shall consist of the Chief and such number of Captains, Lieutenants, Sergeants, and Patrol Officers as shall be deemed necessary from time to time by the Mayor and Counsel to preserve the peace of the Borough. All other employees that are assigned to the Police Department shall be employees of the Borough of North Arlington. In the event the office of Police Chief is vacated, the governing body may create the position of Director of the North Arlington Police Department, whose powers and obligations are set forth below in § 54-51.
Subject to such provisions as are hereinafter set forth, the Mayor shall nominate and, with the advice and consent of the Council, appoint the Chief and all other members and employees of the Police Department.
[Amended 10-16-1984 by Ord. No. 1307; 7-15-2004 by Ord. No. 1921]
Each person hereinafter appointed to the Police Department shall be a citizen of the United States and shall not be less than 21 years of age nor more than 35 years of age at the time of the members appointment, except as provided by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-127.1.
[Amended 2-9-2006 by Ord. No. 1953]
All members of the Police Department shall receive the salary as fixed by the Annual Salary Ordinance of the Borough of North Arlington.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Section 45-5, Adherence to statutory provisions affecting discipline, which immediately followed this section, was repealed 7-15-2004 by Ord. No. 1921.
[Amended 7-15-2004 by Ord. No. 1921]
In all matters concerning discipline and promotions, the Borough shall comply with the provisions of the Department of Personnel, Civil Service. In addition, a patrol person shall not be eligible to make an application for the position of Sergeant until the member has completed three full years as a patrol officer. [1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original § 45-47, Police Surgeon, which immediately followed this section, was repealed 7-15-2004 by Ord. No. 1921.
Each member of the Police Department shall, before entering upon the performance of his/her duties, take and subscribe to an oath or affirmation to bear true faith and allegiance to the government established in this state under the authority of the people, to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and to faithfully, impartially and justly discharge and perform all of the duties of the office, which oath or affirmation shall be filed with the Borough Clerk, and he/she shall also sign the police register.
[Amended 7-15-2004 by Ord. No. 1921]
The members of the Police Department shall have the following duties, responsibilities, and obligations:
A. 
Preserve the public peace.
B. 
Protect life and property.
C. 
Detect, arrest and prosecute offenders of the laws of the State of New Jersey and all ordinances of the Borough of North Arlington.
D. 
Direct and control traffic.
E. 
Provide attendance and protection during emergencies.
F. 
Provide appearances in court.
G. 
Cooperate with all other law enforcement agencies.
H. 
Provide training for the efficiency of its members and officers.
I. 
Perform such other duties and services as may be assigned by the Chief of Police.
[Amended 6-28-1954 by Ord. No. 702; 2-17-1959 by Ord. No. 775; 4-1-1969 by Ord. No. 930; 7-15-2004 by Ord. No. 1921]
The ordinance creating a specific Detective Bureau is hereby repealed. However, the Chief of Police shall have the authority to assign such persons to perform the duties of the former Detective Bureau. Those members of the Detective Bureau appointed under the prior ordinance shall maintain such appointments, but no new person shall be appointed to the Detective Bureau under the provisions of the former ordinance. [1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original § 45-11, Deputy Chief of Police, as amended, which immediately followed this section, was repealed 7-15-2004 by Ord. No. 1921.
[Amended 2-17-1959 by Ord. No. 775; 7-15-2004 by Ord. No. 1921]
A. 
The Chief of Police shall be the executive officer of the Police Department, subject to such rules, regulations, and orders as may be prescribed by the Mayor and Council, or the appropriate authority. In the event of the temporary absence of the Chief of Police, the Chief may designate a superior officer as Acting Chief. In the event of the long-term absence of the Police Chief, defined as more than 30 days, the Mayor shall designate an Acting Chief of Police.
B. 
The Table of Organization of the North Arlington Police Department shall consist of the following officers and superior officers:
(1) 
Chief of Police or Police Director, as provided hereinafter: one.
(2) 
Captains: two.
[Amended 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2222; 6-13-2019 by Ord. No. 2268; 12-14-2023 by Ord. No. 2398]
(3) 
Lieutenants: five.
[Amended 12-14-2023 by Ord. No. 2398]
(4) 
Sergeants: six.
[Amended 12-14-2023 by Ord. No. 2398]
(5) 
Police officers: The total number of members of the Police Department, including the positions referenced in § 54-9B(1) through (4) above, shall not exceed, but may be less than, 36.
[Amended 12-14-2023 by Ord. No. 2398]
C. 
The Mayor and Council shall, from time to time, determine the number of police officers, as well as temporary officers and members in an emergency, to be appointed to these positions and shall further determine their compensation.
D. 
No person shall be appointed to the Police Department if the person is not qualified as provided in the New Jersey statutes. All applicants for appointment to the Police Department shall successfully complete a physical, mental and psychological examination prior to appointment.
[Amended 7-15-2004 by Ord. No. 1921]
A. 
The Chief of Police shall be the head of the Police Department and shall be directly responsible and subject to the appropriate authority for its efficiency and day-to-day operations. Pursuant to policies established by the appropriate authority, the Chief of Police shall:
(1) 
Administer and enforce rules and regulations in special emergency directives for the disposition and discipline of the force and its officers and personnel;
(2) 
As head of the police force, be directly responsible to the Mayor as the appropriate authority and be directly responsible for the efficiency and the routine day-to-day operations of the force;
(3) 
Proscribe the duties and assignments of all subordinates and other personnel;
(4) 
Have, exercise and discharge the functions, powers and duties of the force;
(5) 
Delegate such of his/her authority as he/she may deem necessary for the efficient operation and the force to be exercised under his/her direction and supervision;
(6) 
Report at least monthly to the appropriate authority in such form as shall be prescribed by such authority on the operation of the force during the proceeding month, and make such other reports as may be requested by such authority;
(7) 
Insure that all firearms, equipment and vehicles of the Police Department are maintained in good condition and repair;
(8) 
Ensure that all expenditures on behalf of the Police Department are made appropriately and in accordance with the budget of the Police Department;
(9) 
Sign all payment of claims submitted to the Police Department, certifying that the goods have been received by or their services have been rendered thereto;
(10) 
Administer minor discipline to the members of the Police Department and other employees of the Borough of North Arlington who are assigned to the Police Department;
(11) 
Prepare budget requests and make recommendations regarding the budget and acquisitions of the Police Department; and
(12) 
Ensure that all police officers complete an official daily activity report for each day of duty in order to regulate equipment damage, mileage, and the daily acts of all police officers.
B. 
In addition to the police functions of the duties of the Chief of Police, the Chief of Police is a department head and responsible administratively for the performance of the Police Department of the Borough of North Arlington.
[Amended 9-12-2013 by Ord. No. 2021]
The Chief of Police shall cause to be prepared and shall submit to the Mayor and Council a manual or set of rules for the administration, control and discipline of the Police Department and all the members thereof (the "Department"). The Mayor and Council shall approve by ordinance a manual or set of rules for the government of the force and for the discipline of the Police Department and all the members thereof. Upon approval of the ordinance by the Mayor and Council, the manual shall be in full force and effect as though it were incorporated as part of this section, and a copy thereof shall be furnished to every member of the Department.
[Amended 7-15-2004 by Ord. No. 1921]
The hours of employment of uniformed members of the Police Department of the Borough of North Arlington shall not exceed 40 hours in any one week, provided that, in the case of an emergency, the Chief of Police or anyone duly authorized to act for the Chief of Police shall have full authority to summon and keep on duty any and all such members during the period of emergency, and shall remain in management prerogative.
[Amended 6-7-1966 by Ord. No. 890; 10-16-1984 by Ord. No. 1307; 7-15-2004 by Ord. No. 1921]
Compensation for police officers shall be as determined by the Annual Salary Ordinance of the Borough of North Arlington and subject to any agreement between the Borough and the Police Union Local 95.
[Added 9-10-1985 by Ord. No. 1342; amended 7-15-2004 by Ord. No. 1921]
Once a police officer of any rank has elected to take the retirement and to accept any of the benefits, including but not limited to terminal leave, accumulated sick time, vacation time or personal days, then and in that event the officer cannot change his/her mind and seek to return to active duty in North Arlington nor can the officer withdraw the application for retirement.