[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Westampton 10-28-2008 by Ord. No. 18-2008.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Emergency Services Department — See Ch. 32A.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Ch. 54, Public Safety, Department of, was repealed 10-28-2008 by Ord. No. 17-2008 and again by Ord. No. 18-2008.
A Police Department shall be and the same is hereby created and established in the Township of Westampton, County of Burlington and State of New Jersey.
The official name of said Police Department shall be "Westampton Township Police Department."
The words "he" and "his" shall be taken to also mean and include the words "she" and "hers," and said words shall, for the purposes of this chapter, be interchangeable with each other, and the words "special policeman" shall also be taken to mean and include the words "special policewoman," and said words shall, for the purposes of this chapter, be interchangeable with each other.
[Amended 5-16-2016 by Ord. No. 13-2016]
The Westampton Township Police Department shall consist of a Chief of Police, who shall be the head of the Department; up to one Captain; up to three Lieutenants of Police; up to five Sergeants of Police; a Detective Sergeant; up to four Detectives; and a number of patrol officers not to exceed 20, to be appointed by the Township Committee. In addition, up to four special officers (Class II) may be appointed on an annual basis in accordance with the provisions of state statute.
The Police Department shall preserve the public peace; protect life and property; detect, arrest and prosecute offenders of the laws of the State of New Jersey and the ordinances of the Township of Westampton; direct and control traffic; provide appearances in court; cooperate with all other law enforcement agencies; and provide training for the efficiency of its members and offices pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-152.
A. 
The Township Committee hereby designates the entire Township Committee as the appropriate authority for the purposes of adopting rules and regulations for the governing of the Westampton Township Police Department and the discipline of its members pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118, and for all other purposes assigned therein to the appropriate authority. All rules and regulations for the governing of the Westampton Township Police Department and the discipline of its members in effect as of the date of adoption of this chapter are hereby ratified and adopted, pending their readoption, revision, modification and/or repeal by the appropriate authority.
B. 
The appropriate authority shall promulgate and from time to time revise and enforce rules and regulations for the control, disposition and discipline of the officers and other employees of the Westampton Township Police Department. The appropriate authority will provide for the Department's training and efficiency and for use and care of Department equipment and apparatus.
The Chief of Police shall be the head of the Police Department and shall be directly responsible 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:
A. 
Administer and enforce the rules and regulations of the Police Department and special emergency directives for the disposition and discipline of the Department and its members and officers;
B. 
Exercise and discharge the functions, powers and duties of the Police Department;
C. 
Prescribe the duties and assignments of all members and officers;
D. 
Delegate such authority as may be deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the Police Department to be exercised under the Chief's direction and control; and
E. 
Report at least monthly to the appropriate authority in such form as shall be prescribed on the operation of the Police Department during the preceding month and make such other reports as may be requested by the appropriate authority.
No member or officer of the Police Department shall be suspended, removed, fined or reduced in rank for any cause other than for incapacity, misconduct or disobedience as provided in the New Jersey statutes and the Police Department's rules and regulations.
No person shall be appointed to the Police Department who is not qualified as provided in the New Jersey statutes. The appropriate authority may also require that an applicant for appointment to the Police Department successfully complete a physical, mental and psychological examination.
The Township Committee of the Township of Westampton may appoint from time to time special law enforcement officers in accordance with New Jersey statutes for terms not exceeding one year. They shall possess and exercise all the powers and duties provided by said statutes during their term in office. The Chief of Police may authorize special law enforcement officers when on duty to exercise the same powers and authority as regular members of the Police Department, including the carrying of firearms and the power of arrest.
[Added 12-18-2018 by Ord. No. 10-2018]
A. 
Sworn police officers.
(1) 
Each police officer shall be required to serve a probationary period prior to permanent appointment to the Department. The probationary period is one year from the date of completion of the police training course, or if already holding a valid New Jersey Police Training Commission Certification, one year from date of appointment, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:17B-66 et seq.
(2) 
During such probationary period such officers shall be known as "probationary officers," and they may be discharged prior to or at the termination of said probationary period at the pleasure of the Chief of Police with the concurrence of the appropriate authority.
(3) 
Until such officer is permanently appointed to the Department or rejected, the Township may continue to employ him for a further probationary period not to exceed six months.
(4) 
Upon the permanent appointment to the Department, all time served by any member during such probationary period shall be considered as service within the Department and shall be applied toward any required tenure and promotion period.