[Amended 9-24-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-043]
A. 
A citizen of the United States.
B. 
Of good mental and bodily health sufficient to satisfy the Board of Trustees of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System of New Jersey as to their eligibility for membership in the retirement system.
C. 
Able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently.
D. 
Of good moral character and free from conviction of any crime constituting an indictable offense or any crime or offense involving moral turpitude.
E. 
Able to pass such written, oral, physical and psychological examinations as shall be selected by the Chief of Police and meet essential job functions.
F. 
A graduate of a high school, vocational high school or possess an approved equivalent certificate.
G. 
A holder of a valid New Jersey driver's license.
H. 
Able to otherwise meets all requirements of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-122 to 40A:14-127.1.
[Amended 1-25-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-2; 9-24-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-043]
A. 
Investigation of applicants. No applicant shall be appointed to any position with the Police Department until after the applicant shall have been fingerprinted, with such fingerprints submitted and filed with the New Jersey State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation. No applicant shall be appointed until after there has been a thorough background and character investigation of the candidate that will also determine the candidate's fitness for the position.
B. 
Required training; probationary status.
(1) 
No person shall be permanently appointed to the Police Department of the Borough of High Bridge until after successful completion of a police training program pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:17B-66 et seq.
(a) 
A temporary appointment as a police officer may be made for a total period not exceeding one year for the purpose of enabling a person seeking permanent appointment to take a police training course, provided that the time period may not exceed one year in accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:17B-69.
(b) 
The Mayor and Council may waive the requirement of attendance for such training if the police officer who has been appointed on a temporary basis has satisfactorily received certification of previous completion at an approved school as required in the Police Training Act.[1] Such an employee shall be classified as probationary police officer for a period not to exceed one year from the date of hire.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:17B-66 et seq.
C. 
All non-sworn employees of the Police shall serve a probationary period of six months before becoming regular employees unless otherwise provided by law.
D. 
The Chief of Police shall make a recommendation to the Mayor and Council concerning the suitability for transition from probationary status to regular status for each probationary police officer. Nothing herein shall prohibit the Chief of Police from submitting such recommendation at any time during the employee's probationary period when such employee demonstrates that they do not possess the qualities and abilities to competently perform the duties of a High Bridge Borough police officer.
E. 
The Mayor and Council may terminate a probationary employee at any time during or at the end of the probationary period or affirm the retention of the candidate as a permanent member of the police force.
F. 
Each member of the Police Department, before entering upon the performance of his or her duties, shall take and subscribe a written oath or other appropriate form of affirmation to bear true faith and allegiance to the government established in this state, to support the Constitutions of the United States of America and the State of New Jersey and to faithfully, impartially and justly discharge and perform all the duties of this office. This oath or affirmation shall be filed with the Clerk.
[Amended 9-10-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-20]
A. 
Vacancies in the positions of Sergeant or patrolman shall be filled by recommendation of the Chief of Police, with the advice and consent of the Council, after appointment by the Mayor, based upon general qualifications, service records and attendance records. Eligible applicants shall also be required to undergo a psychological examination and pass such examination or any further testing deemed necessary for the position.
B. 
No person shall be eligible for a promotion to Sergeant unless he shall have previously served as a patrolman in the High Bridge Police Department.
[Added 9-24-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-043]
A. 
The Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Council, shall appoint such number as may be approved of special police officers available for assignment to active police duty subject to eligibility criteria and limitations set forth in the Special Law Enforcement Officers' Act, N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8 et seq.
B. 
Classification of special police officers. There shall be the following classes of special police officers as provided in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.11:
(1) 
Class One: Officers of this class shall be authorized to perform routine traffic details, spectator control and similar duties. Class One officers shall have the power to issue summons for disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons offenses, violations of Borough ordinances and violations of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes. The use of a firearm by an officer of this class shall be strictly prohibited. No Class One officer shall be assigned any duties which may require the carrying or use of a firearm.
(2) 
Class Two: Officers of this class are authorized to exercise full powers and duties of a regular police officer. The use of a firearm by such officer may only be authorized upon successful completion of training and instruction as required by law.
C. 
Compensation. Each special police officer shall receive compensation as provided for in the salary ordinances of the Borough.
D. 
Not members of Police Department. No special police officer, by virtue of his appointment as such, shall be or become a member of the Police Department.
E. 
Use of firearms and equipment limited. The use of firearms and equipment shall be limited as set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.14.
F. 
Compliance with rules and regulations. Every special police officer, while on duty, shall abide by all the rules and regulations of the Police Department and all applicable laws. Any violation of the rules, regulations, or laws where the penalty for a police officer is a suspension or dismissal may result in the immediate dismissal of the special police officer.
Only members of the Department holding the rank of Sergeant or a higher rank shall be eligible for examination for promotion to a rank within the Department above that of Sergeant.
Each Sergeant shall become eligible for any higher rank within the Department after he shall have completed his probationary period of service as a probationary Sergeant; provided, however, that no Sergeant shall be eligible for promotion to any higher rank within the Department until he shall have served in that capacity for at least one full year following the completion of his probationary period of service.
[Amended 1-22-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-2]
Each member of the Department shall become eligible for the rank of Sergeant within the Department after he shall have served in the capacity of police officer, investigator or some other rank below the rank of Sergeant for a period of at least three years.
Any appointment to the Office of Chief of Police shall be made and chosen from a list of eligible candidates who shall be evaluated by a committee formed by the Mayor for the purpose of recommending the next Chief of Police. The committee shall be known as the "Chief of Police Appointment Committee" and shall consist of the Mayor, the Borough Administrator, two members of the Council, and, if he is available and willing to serve, the then current or most recently retired Chief of Police if the Office be vacant. The Committee shall conduct interviews of all eligible candidates and administer such tests as it shall determine to be appropriate. The Committee shall recommend appointees to the Mayor and Council based upon its evaluation of the candidates' general qualification, appearance, speaking ability, comprehension and presentation of ideas, maturity of judgment, interest in law enforcement and knowledge of procedures and techniques thereof, and evidence of supervisory and administrative ability. Due consideration shall be given to each candidate's length and merit of service and preference shall be given according to seniority in service in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-129. The Committee may retain the services of an independent third-party entity to assist in all aspects of the evaluation and recommendation process. The Chief of Police shall be appointed in accordance with law upon nomination of the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council.
[Amended 1-22-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-2]
Members of the Department with a minimum of three years of continuous service within the Department shall be eligible to be promoted as the Chief of Police. Those officers outside the Department having similar credentials and experience will also be considered eligible if all interdepartment candidates are deemed unacceptable.
[Amended 1-22-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-2]
Appointment of a patrolman to the Police Department is for a probationary period of one year from the date of appointment. The probationary period of Sergeants and Chiefs is one year from the date of appointment. Continuation in the service is dependent upon the conduct of the appointee and his fitness to perform his duties. At the termination of the probationary period, if the conduct or capacity of the probationer has not been satisfactory, he shall be notified, in writing, that he will not receive absolute appointment, and his/her services shall be terminated by, in the case of the Sergeants, the Police Chief and, in the case of the Police Chief, by the Mayor with advice and consent of the Council, both without a trial. The probationary period may be extended by the Mayor with advice and consent of the Council.