[Amended 4-9-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-06; 5-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-07; 7-5-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-13]
There is hereby created a Police Department for the Township
of Lower, County of Cape May, State of New Jersey, the head of which
shall be the Chief of Police, and which may consist of one Deputy
Chief, up to one Captain; up to four Lieutenants; up to seven Sergeants,
and up to 40 full-time patrolmen; and such number of civilian employees
as the Township may designate.
[Amended 5-16-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
A. The Chief
of Police, other superior officers, police officers and employees
shall be appointed by the Township Manager from a list of candidates
supplied by the Civil Service Commission.
B. The appointing
authority may also appoint entry-level law enforcement officers in
accordance with the Alternate Route Program in accordance with the
provisions of N.J.S.A. 11A:4-1.3 and N.J.S.A. 52:17B-69.1.
The Township hereby authorizes and approves the implementation
of the attached Lower Township Police Rules and Regulations adopted
by the Township Manager for the purpose of providing a general guideline
for the Lower Township Police Department. These rules and regulations shall be followed and enforced
in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey and any Lower
Township Police Department policies and procedures consistent therewith.
[Amended 12-18-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-22]
A. Prior to any permanent appointment for an indefinite term in the
Police Department, any appointee except a police officer must serve
a four-month working test period (probationary term), at the expiration
of which the appointment shall either be made permanent or terminated
or the working test period extended consistent with the then current
New Jersey Civil Service statute and implementing regulations. Temporary and probationary
appointments shall be distinguished as such by a written communication
to the person appointed, setting forth the classification of the appointment,
and a copy of the communication shall be entered in the records of
the Chief of Police and the Township Clerk.
B. Prior to any police officer receiving a permanent appointment for
an indefinite term in the Police Department, an appointee must serve
a one-year working test period (probationary term) after graduation
from an accredited basic police training academy, at the expiration
of which the appointment shall either be made permanent or terminated
or the working test period extended consistent with the then current
New Jersey Civil Service statute and implementing regulations.
C. Alternate Route Program.
(1) The Alternate Route Program is a discretionary program that allows
the appointing authority to hire individuals who have successfully
completed a full Basic Course for Police Officers training course
at a school approved and authorized by the New Jersey Police Training
(BCPO) Commission. Individuals who are enrolled in or who have successfully
completed the academy portion of the Alternate Route Program will
be eligible to apply for an entry-level position with the Lower Township
Police Department.
(2) Initial appointments of entry-level law enforcement officers may
also, at the sole discretion of the appointing authority, be made
in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 52:17B- 69.1 and N.J.S.A.
11A:4-1.3, which allow for the appointment of entry-level law enforcement
officers who have not taken an entry-level law enforcement officer
position examination offered by the Civil Service Commission, but
who successfully complete a full Basic Course for Police Officers
training course at a school approved and authorized by the New Jersey
Police Training Commission.
D. Pursuant to the provisions of the New Jersey Police Licensure Act,
N.J.S.A. 52:17B-66 et seq., effective January 1, 2024, all current
and future law enforcement officers employed by the Lower Township
Police Department must hold a valid, active license issued by the
Police Training Commission (PTC) in order to be employed as a police
officer in the State of New Jersey.
All applicants for appointment to or for promotion within the
Police Department shall be qualified for appointment or promotion
as required by law, ordinance and civil service rules and regulations.
All applicants for appointment shall be residents of the Township
of Lower and must maintain continuous residency within the Township
of Lower until the announced closing date of the Department of Personnel
examination.