[Adopted 3-16-1982 by Ord. No. 555-82 as Ch. III of the 1982 Revised General Ordinances (Ch. 67, Art.
I, of the 1993 Code; amended in its entirety 3-2-2010 by Ord. No.
1468-10]
The Police Department of Hazlet Township is hereby established
and shall consist of the following:
Members of the Police Department shall be appointed by the Township
Committee in accordance with the requirements of New Jersey Statutes.
A.
The Municipal Administrator shall be designated as the Public Safety
Officer and the appropriate authority who shall issue orders and instructions
to the Chief of Police and through the Chief of Police to all members
of the Police Department in accordance with N.J.S.A 40A:14-118. The
appropriate authority is also authorized to promulgate and adopt rules
and regulations for the regulation and efficient operation of the
Police Department.
B.
Except as provided herein, the Township Committee of the Township
of Hazlet and individual members thereof shall act in all matters
relating to the police function within the municipality through the
appropriate authority.
C.
Nothing herein contained shall prevent the appointment by the governing
body of committees or commissions to conduct investigations of the
operation of the Police Department, and the delegations to such committees
or commissions of such powers of inquiry as the governing body deems
necessary or to conduct such hearing or investigation as authorized
by law N.J.S.A 40:48-25.
D.
Nothing herein contained shall prevent the appropriate authority
from examining at any time the operations of the Police Department
or the performance of any officer or member thereof. In addition,
nothing contained herein shall infringe on or limit the power or duty
of the appropriate authority to act to provide for the health, safety,
or welfare of the municipality in an emergency situation through special
emergency directives.
The Chief of Police shall be the executive head of the Police
Department and shall be directly responsible to the appropriate authority
for the conduct, efficiency and management of the day-to day operations
of the Police Department, and he or she shall, pursuant to policies
established by the appropriate authority:
A.
Administer and enforce rules and regulations and special emergency
directives for the disposition and discipline of the Department and
its officers and personnel;
B.
Have, exercise, and discharge the functions, powers and duties of
the Police Department;
C.
Prescribe the duties and assignments of all subordinates and other
personnel;
D.
Delegate such of his or her authority as he or she may deem necessary
for the efficient operation of the Police Department to be exercised
under his or her direction and supervision; and
E.
Report at least monthly to the appropriate authority in such form
as shall be prescribed by such authority on the operation of the Police
Department during the preceding month, and make such other reports
as may be requested by such authority.
The Deputy Chief of Police shall be a direct subordinate of
the Chief of Police and assist the Chief of Police in management and
discipline of the Police Department, and performs other related duties.
In addition, the Deputy Chief of Police shall:
A.
Assist in the analysis of police problems and help formulate police
rules/regulations.
B.
Assist in planning police work so as to make the best use of available
funds, personnel, equipment, and supplies.
C.
Give assignments/instructions to subordinate members of the police
department, provide them with needed advice/assistance when difficult/unusual
problems arise and check their work to see that proper procedures
are followed, that reasonable standards of workmanship, conduct, and
output are maintained, and that desired police objectives are achieved.
D.
See that communication facilities are properly used.
E.
Take the lead in establishing/maintaining helpful, cooperative relations
with civic, recreation, and business group, police authorities in
other jurisdictions, and others interested in the maintenance of law
and order.
F.
Provide police protection/assistance to gatherings, children and
other pedestrians in crossing streets, those engaged in extinguishing
fires, those handling large sums of money and other valuables in transit,
and to vacant/unused dwellings and business properties.
G.
Make provision for police assistance at the time and places where
traffic is heavy.
H.
Direct detection/apprehension of lawbreakers, preparation of charges
against them, and collection and preservation of evidence of their
misdeeds.
I.
Supervise investigation and disposal of complaints.
J.
Give testimony in court.
K.
Prepare and supervises the preparation of reports.
L.
Direct the establishment and maintenance of police records and files.
M.
Act as the Chief of Police in his/her absence.
A.
Each member of the Police Department shall be a citizen of the United
States, be of good moral character, be sound of body, in good health
and able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently.
B.
No person shall be appointed a member of the Police Department by
the Township Committee unless he or she has all the qualifications
prescribed by statutes of the State of New Jersey and is certified
as eligible for appointment to the Police Department by the New Jersey
Civil Service Commission.
No person shall be given or accept a permanent appointment as
a police officer in the Township of Hazlet unless he or she has successfully
completed a Basic Police Training Course as prescribed by the New
Jersey Police Training Commission at a Police Training Commission
approved academy. The probationary period for newly appointed police
officers shall be in accordance with New Jersey Civil Service Commission
regulations.
The Township Committee may appoint such special police officers
as may be required, for a term not exceeding one year, or temporarily
in case of emergency or to perform special duties. Any appointment
may be revoked without cause or hearing. The special police officers
shall be subject to the orders and directions of the Chief of Police.
Such special police officers shall receive no compensation except
as is authorized by the Township Committee and all special officers
shall meet the training requirements as set forth by the N.J State
Police Training Commission, relevant NJ state laws, and Hazlet Township
Police Department requirements.
Every member of the Police Department and special officers,
before entering upon the performance of their duties, shall take and
subscribe to an oath of 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 the duties of his or her office,
which oath or affirmation shall be filed with the Township Clerk.
The appropriate authority shall from time to time promulgate
and adopt rules and regulations as he or she may deem necessary for
the regulation and efficient operation of the Police Department. Each
member of the Police Department shall read, be thoroughly familiar
with and strictly comply with all rules and regulations as set forth
in this chapter or as promulgated and adopted by the appropriate authority.
No member of the Hazlet Township Police Department may accept
outside employment or participate in the active management of any
business in which they may have an interest without the written approval
of the Chief of Police. Such approval will be granted only upon showing
that such outside employment will not interfere with the proper performance
of the duties of the member of the Police Department making application.
The duties of police officers, members, and other employees
of the Police Department shall be those prescribed by the laws of
the State of New Jersey, the ordinances of the Township of Hazlet,
and the rules and regulations of the Hazlet Township Police Department
as promulgated and adopted by the appropriate authority. The duties
shall include the enforcement of all applicable federal, state, county,
and municipal laws within the jurisdiction of Hazlet Township. As
a New Jersey Civil Service Commission municipality, the duties and
responsibilities of officers within the various ranks are prescribed
by NJ Civil Service Commission regulations.
The compensation of The Chief of Police and members of the Police
Department shall be fixed by a salary ordinance adopted by the Hazlet
Township Committee.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The currently effective Salary Ordinances are
on file in the office of the Township Clerk and are available for
examination during office hours.
All members of the Police Department shall provide and maintain
in a clean and serviceable condition a police uniform as prescribed
by the Chief of Police. The first uniform will be furnished by Hazlet
Township. Police Uniform will be worn in compliance with Hazlet Township
Police Department Rules and Regulations and Policies and Procedures.
All firearms which are provided by the Township shall remain
the property of the Township. All Officers utilizing and possessing
firearms will comply with all applicable NJ Statutes, NJ Attorney
General Directives, Monmouth County Prosecutor Directives, and applicable
Hazlet Township Police Department rules and regulations and policies
and procedures.
No member of the Police Department shall be suspended, removed,
fired or reduced from office or employment for political reasons or
for any cause other than incapacity, misconduct, or disobedience of
the rules and regulations as promulgated by the appropriate authority,
and then only upon written charges, served in accordance with the
rules and regulations of Title 11A, the rules and regulations of the
NJ Civil Service Commission and relevant statutory law.
