The Chief of Police shall be responsible for establishing procedures for soliciting and testing candidates for membership on the police force, which procedures may include physical, mental, and psychological and such other tests as the Chief of Police deems appropriate. The Chief of Police may implement such procedures and transmit to the Mayor nominations for appointment to the Police Department. The Mayor may then appoint such nominees to fill the vacancies that exist in the Department.
No person shall be appointed as a member of the Police Department unless such person meets all of the following qualifications:
A. 
United States citizenship;
B. 
Resident of New Jersey;
C. 
Literacy in the English language and have attained a high school diploma or its functional equivalent and have received an associate's degree from an accredited college or university. Sixty-seven credits will be deemed equivalent to an associate's degree. An accredited college or university shall mean a college or university that attains accreditation from a United States Department of Education-approved accrediting agency and listing as accredited on the United States Department of Education rolls of accredited colleges and universities.
D. 
Must be able to satisfy all eligibility requirements for enrollment in the Police and Fire Retirement System of New Jersey;
E. 
Good moral character and no record of conviction of an indictable offense or conviction of any offense involving moral turpitude;
F. 
Satisfactory results on such tests, examinations or interviews as may be administered pursuant to this article such that it appears the applicant possesses adequate physical and mental skills to carry out the duties of a police officer.
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 applicants 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) 
No person shall be permitted to take a police training course, unless he holds a probationary appointment as a police officer in the Township of Mount Olive, and such appointee shall be entitled to a leave of absence, with pay, during the period of the police training course.
(4) 
Until such applicant 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.
(5) 
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.
(6) 
This section shall not prohibit the hiring of a police officer from another community who has served as a probationary officer and completed the required police training course. Such officer shall be required to submit to the same probationary period as established above.
B. 
Civilian police employees.
(1) 
To the maximum extent permitted by law, the employment practices for civilian police employees of the Township shall operate under the legal doctrine known as "employment at will." Within federal and state law, and any applicable bargaining unit agreement, the Township of Mount Olive shall have the right to terminate an employee at any time and for any reason, with or without notice, except the Township of Mount Olive shall comply with all federal and state legal requirements requiring notice and an opportunity to be heard in the event of discipline or dismissal.
(2) 
New employees (or present employees transferring to new positions) will be hired (or promoted/transferred), subject to an initial probationary employment period of not less than one year as determined by the Chief of Police. At the end of the probationary period, the Supervisor will conduct an employee evaluation. New probationary employees may be discharged at any time during this period if the Chief of Police concludes that the employee is not progressing or performing satisfactorily. Under appropriate circumstances, the Chief of Police may extend the initial probationary period for an additional six months.
(3) 
The probationary period (maximum of 18 months) for civilian police employees shall end with either the employee being released from probation or termination. A positive or negative recommendation will be made by the employee's direct supervisor with the assistance (if applicable) of the designated trainer. The final outcome will be documented in the probationary employee's evaluation. The Chief of Police will make the final determination regarding all civilian police employees' probationary periods.
(4) 
Nothing set forth in this section shall alter the Township's "employment at will" policy for civilian employees. Employment with the Township of Mount Olive is at will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the Chief of Police or the employee.
Promotions to the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant or Captain shall be made from within the membership of the Department as provided in this section. It shall be the responsibility of the Chief of Police to post adequate notice of the opportunity for promotion and to receive applications for promotion. Promotions shall be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement(s) in effect between the Township and collective bargaining units representing police officers.
Any person to be considered for the position of Chief of Police of the Township of Mount Olive shall meet the following minimum qualifications:
A. 
At least three years of service on the Mount Olive Police Department and shall have served at least one year in the position of Lieutenant or Captain of police within the Mount Olive Police Department;
B. 
An associate's degree from an accredited college or university. Sixty-seven credits will be deemed equivalent to the associate's degree. An accredited college or university shall mean a college or university that attains accreditation from a United States Department of Education-approved accrediting agency and listing as accredited on the United States Department of Education rolls of accredited colleges and universities. Officers who were members of the Department prior to March 31, 1995, must be in compliance with the Mount Olive Police Department standard operating procedures.
C. 
Successful completion of such interviews, examinations or tests conducted and/or required by the appropriate authority as is deemed necessary;
D. 
Demonstrate excellent moral character;
E. 
Proficient in the management of a Police Department, including but not limited to administration, budgeting, communications, controlling operations, investigations, patrol operations, training, purchasing, and internal affairs;
F. 
Familiarity with Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes commonly referred to as the "New Jersey Criminal Code," and Title 40 and Title 40A of the New Jersey Statutes insofar as they relate to the operation and administration of police departments.
Any person to be considered for the position of Chief of Police is expected to lead and set the standard for the officers and members of the Department. Therefore it is imperative that the Township select a candidate who possesses qualifications in excess of those minimally required for the position. It is desired that the Chief of Police possesses the following preferred qualifications:
A. 
At least 10 years of service on the Mount Olive Police Department;
B. 
Have received a bachelor's degree and/or other advanced degree in criminal justice, management, public administration, sociology or any other discipline deemed appropriate for the position from an accredited college or university. Any accredited college or university shall mean a college or university that attains accreditation from a United States Department of Education-approved accrediting agency and listing as accredited on the United States Department of Education rolls of accredited colleges and universities.
C. 
Possesses certifications from professional associations indicating the candidate's commitment to personal professional development such as:
[Amended 3-13-2018 by Ord. No. 9-2018]
(1) 
Accredited Chief/Command Executive or equivalent through the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police;
(2) 
Certified Public Manager (CPM);
(3) 
Certificate in Command and Leadership Program through the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police;
(4) 
Certificate from Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC);
(5) 
Certificate from Executive Management Program (EMP);
(6) 
Certificate from New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Executive Institute (PEI);
(7) 
Certificate from Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (LEEDA);
(8) 
Certificate from FBI National Academy.
D. 
Possession of any other certification in management and leadership that may be obtained by the candidate for the position.
E. 
Proven project management and problem-solving experience and abilities. The candidate should possess the skills and abilities to manage projects in terms of time, budget, and resources. The candidate should also demonstrate ability to not only identify problems and issues but to also solve those issues.
F. 
The candidate should have strong communication skills.
G. 
The candidate should have concrete examples of the skills, knowledge, and abilities to provide at any interview required.