[Amended by Ord. No. 20-2000]
A. Composition. The Police Division of the City is established. The
Police Division shall consist of a Chief of Police, a maximum of one
Captain, a maximum of three Lieutenants, a maximum of four Sergeants
and a maximum of 36 patrol officers. Appointments shall be made by
the Mayor.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord.
No. 01-2010; 3-19-2013 by Ord. No. 01-2013; 5-14-2019 by Ord. No. 10-2019]
B. Residency requirements.
(1) State residency. The Council is authorized, subject to existing or
future regulations or laws, to appoint qualified persons to the uniformed
Police Division, provided that such person shall have been a bona
fide resident of the State of New Jersey for at least one year of
the closing date of the civil service examination.
(a)
Classification of qualified applicants. All qualified applicants
for the position of City police officer shall be classified by class
as follows:
[1]
Class I: residents of the City of Burlington.
[2]
Class II: other residents of Burlington County.
[3]
Class III: other residents of the State of New Jersey.
[4]
Class IV: all other qualified applicants.
(b)
Order of appointment. Qualified Class I applicants shall be
appointed first and then those in each succeeding class shall be appointed
to any vacancy or vacancies remaining after all qualified applicants
in the preceding class or classes have been appointed or have declined
an offer of appointment.
(c)
Residency determination. Residency shall be determined as of
the announced closing date of the civil service examination and must
be maintained continuously up to and including the date of appointment
to the position of police officer.
C. Oath of office. Before entering upon the execution of his/her duties
each police officer and officer of the Police Division shall take
an oath or affirmation before the Mayor or, in his/her absence, before
any member of the Council, that he/she will faithfully and honestly
perform the duties of his/her office, which oath or affirmation shall
be filed in the office of the Municipal Clerk.
D. Discipline and removal. Members of the Police Division shall be removed
from office or employment, suspended or disciplined in the manner
prescribed by law.
[Added 9-1-2015 by Ord.
No. 11-2015]
A. Purpose. The purpose of this article is to set forth guidelines to
govern the employment of City of Burlington police officers for voluntary
extra-duty (off-duty) details within the City of Burlington or within
other local municipalities and which extend beyond their regular assigned
duties and responsibilities.
B. Extra-duty details permitted under certain conditions. Officers of
the City of Burlington Police Department may be permitted to accept
and perform police-related employment and services for private persons
or entities, including school districts, only during off-duty hours
and at such time as will not interfere with the efficient performance
of regularly scheduled or emergency duty for the City, as determined
by the City of Burlington Chief of Police or his authorized designee.
Officers of the City Police Department may be permitted to perform
police-related services subject, however, to the following conditions:
(1) All such work performed by the police officer shall be in his/her
official capacity as an employee of the City of Burlington Police
Department and subject to its supervision and control.
(2) The Police Officer shall be paid for the extra-duty services by the
City of Burlington Police Department at a rate of pay determined by
the City for such police-related work.
(3) The City of Burlington, the City of Burlington Chief of Police, or
his designee, shall bill the private person or entity for all such
services performed based on the prevailing rate established by the
City of Burlington, which may be amended from time to time by resolution
adopted by the Common Council of the City of Burlington.
(4) The City of Burlington Chief of Police, or his designee, shall establish
the procedure for assigning police officers to such duty referenced
in this section.
(5) No City of Burlington police officer shall engage in any employment
for police-related services with any private person or entity, except
in the manner established pursuant to this section. To be eligible
for extra-duty employment, a sworn officer must be in good standing
with the City of Burlington Police Department. Officers on medical
or disability leave are not eligible for extra-duty assignments. The
Chief of Police shall include in his monthly report to the appropriate
authority information about extra-duty work of members of the Department.
(6) The City of Burlington Chief of Police shall retain ultimate authority
to determine what officers, if any, and which officers may participate
in any extra-duty assignments. Any and all participation by any officer
is at the discretion of the Chief of Police and the Chief reserves
the authority to deny extra-duty assignments on a discretionary basis.
(7) Secondary
service provider.
[Added 2-2-2021 by Ord. No. 09-2021]
(a)
The City may choose to utilize a secondary service to administrate
and perform the above actions related to the off-duty employment process.
These actions include but are not limited to: communicating with a
person or company which has requested the services of an off-duty
officer to schedule off-duty jobs; scheduling the Officers for the
said jobs; invoicing the person or company receiving the service;
receiving the escrow and/or payments from the person or company in
a manner set forth by the secondary service provider and other administrative
functions necessary and attendant to providing such services. The
secondary service provider may charge an additional fee to the person
or company requesting the services of an off-duty officer for the
services which is in addition to the fee structure stated above and
may utilize business-type collection rules as set forth in the contract
between the City and the secondary service provider.
(b)
The secondary service provider will reimburse the City via ACH
or other funds transfer methods, according to the fees set forth above,
due to the City and Officer, in a timely manner, usually coinciding
with payroll periods for "jobs" that the officers have performed or
were scheduled for, in accordance with the above-listed rules of employment
between the City and person(s) or company seeking services.
C. Extra-duty employment to be voluntary. Any such extra-duty employment
shall be voluntary, and may be accepted or declined solely at the
option of the officer (provided the extra-duty employment is approved
in the manner described herein). Acceptance of such extra-duty employment
shall not be a condition of employment or promotion within the City
of Burlington Police Department. Officers of the City of Burlington
Police Department are eligible to accept off-duty employment only
during periods when they are not assigned to regular duty and at such
times when off-duty employment will not interfere with the efficient
performance of their regularly scheduled police duties. The Chief
of Police, or his designee, shall monitor all off-duty employment
to ensure that the City's interests are protected.
D. Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall have
the meaning indicated:
EMPLOYER
Any individual, partnership, corporation, business entity
or other organization, located either within or outside the City of
Burlington, including, but not limited to, schools.
EXTRA-DUTY
Any voluntary outside employment when a police officer is
not scheduled for a shift of duty by the City of Burlington Police
Department and that calls for the actual or potential use of law enforcement
powers by the police officer employee. This shall be limited to employment
as a security guard, traffic control officer, or plainclothes surveillance
officer.
IN THE EMPLOY OF THE EMPLOYER
All times when a police officer is scheduled for and does,
in fact, work for an "outside employer" as extra-duty, as such term
is defined in this section.
PLAINCLOTHES SURVEILLANCE OFFICER
A position of employment involving the wearing or carrying
of a City of Burlington Police Department badge or the carrying of
a firearm or other dangerous weapon, as such term is defined by N.J.S.A.
2C:39-1 et seq.
SECURITY GUARD
A position of employment involving the wearing of a City
of Burlington uniform, badge, and/or the carrying of a firearm or
other dangerous weapon, as such term is defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1
et seq.
TRAFFIC CONTROL OFFICER
A position of employment involving the wearing of a City
of Burlington police uniform while directing or monitoring traffic
within or outside the municipal boundaries of the City of Burlington.
E. Chief of Police approval required. Any person, entity, or organization
wishing to employ off-duty police for extra-duty work shall first
obtain the approval of the City of Burlington Chief of Police, which
approval shall be granted if in the opinion of the Chief such employment
would not be inconsistent with the efficient functioning and good
reputation of the City of Burlington Police Department, and would
not unreasonably endanger or threaten the safety of the officer or
officers who are to perform the work. The procedure for extra-duty
assignment approval is memorialized within this section. The Chief
of Police is hereby authorized and directed to establish such rules
and regulations as are necessary to implement this section.
F. Minimum time of assignments; cancellation. Extra-duty assignments
shall be a minimum of four hours. Cancellation of an assignment by
an employer with less than 24 hours' advanced notice to the Chief
of Police shall be subject to this minimum.
G. Liability and insurance required. No employer shall employ a City
of Burlington police officer for extra duty without having first filed
with the City of Burlington Clerk a certificate of insurance, certificate
to evidence comprehensive general liability, and automobile liability
in the amount of not less than $500,000 any one occurrence and workers'
compensation with statutory limits with respect to injuries and/or
damages suffered or caused by police officers while in the employ
of the employer.
(1) All policies of insurance evidenced by any certificate filed hereunder
shall be maintained by the employer in full force and effect at all
times while any police officer is employed by such employer. Upon
the change or renewal of any such policy of insurance, the employer
shall forthwith file with the City Clerk a new and current certificate
of insurance in compliance with the foregoing provisions.
(2) No certificate of insurance required by this subsection shall be
deemed filed with the City Clerk unless it has been first approved
by the City Risk Management Designee.
H. Escrow account.
(1) Except as provided herein, any person or entity requesting the services
of an off-duty police officer of the City of Burlington Police Department
shall estimate the number of hours such law enforcement services are
required, which estimate shall be approved in writing by the Chief
of Police, and shall establish an escrow account with the City CFO
by depositing an amount sufficient to cover the rates of compensation
and administrative fees set forth herein for the total estimated hours
of service plus an additional 10% of said amount.
(2) If the amount required to be deposited with the City exceeds $20,000,
an escrow deposit of $20,000 shall be required. Said deposit of $20,000
shall be maintained until such time as the amount required to be deposited
for all remaining services on any given project shall be less than
$20,000, and then such lesser amount shall be required to be maintained.
(3) The person or entity requesting such services shall be responsible
for ensuring that sufficient funds remain in the escrow account in
order to avoid any interruption of services. In the event the funds
in such an escrow account should become depleted, services of off-duty
law enforcement officers shall cease and requests for further or future
services shall not be performed or posted until additional funds have
been deposited in the escrow account in the manner prescribed above.
(4) State, county and municipal bodies and agencies and public schools
may be exempted from the requirements for the posting of an escrow
deposit at the discretion of the City of Burlington CFO.
(5) The City of Burlington Chief of Police, with the concurrence of the
City of Burlington CFO, may waive escrow requirements for assignments
of less than five hours in total if, in their judgment, the outside
employer has demonstrated a history of timely payment or demonstrated
other, similar indicia of reliable and consistent, timely payment
of fees and wages owed.
(6) This escrow requirement shall not apply for these services when contracted
by a company regulated by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities,
including, but not limited to, PSE&G, Verizon, American Water
Company, and/or Comcast. The foregoing entities shall, within 10 business
days of the date of the bill for services rendered, forward payment
in full for said services to the Chief Financial Officer of the City.
[Added 5-3-2016 by Ord.
No. 04-2016]
I. Employer violations and penalties. Any employer who employs a police
officer for extra-duty without first having complied with the requirements
as set forth shall be subject to a fine of $500 or imprisonment of
one day, or both, for each day that it employs the police officer.
J. Compliance with article required. Any police officer who accepts
or continues extra-duty employment with an employer who has not complied
with the requirements of this article shall be deemed in violation
of the rules and regulations of the Police Department and shall be
subject to appropriate discipline. The police officer shall, prior
to accepting or continuing extra-duty employment, ascertain from the
prospective employer whether it has complied with the provisions hereof.
If the employer has not yet complied, the police officer shall not
accept the prospective extra-duty employment.
K. Attire. Officers assigned to extra-duty details shall be attired
as prescribed by the Department's uniform policy. Officers shall be
attired in the requisite and appropriate uniform or plain clothes
best suited for the nature of the extra-duty detail. Uniformed traffic
details shall consist of the uniform of the day and shall be equipped
with a regular duty belt, other applicable gear and equipment (e.g.,
reflectorized traffic safety vest), and may wear an approved baseball-type
cap. Officers assigned to extra-duty details shall be subject to all
rules, regulations, orders and standard operating procedures of the
City of Burlington Police Department.
L. Compliance with safety standards for traffic-related details. Officers
working any form of traffic-related detail shall comply with all applicable
safety standards.
M. Police action in serious or emergency matters. An officer on an extra-duty
assignment shall take police action in response to any serious police
matter coming to their attention at any time, and are additionally
expected to respond to emergency situations in the City of Burlington
if the extra-duty assignment is within the immediate area. All officers
are subject to recall to duty if an emergency arises in the City of
Burlington.
N. Eligibility. In order to be eligible for extra-duty employment, a
police officer must be in good standing with the Department. Officers
who are on medical or other leave due to sickness, temporary disability
or an on-duty injury shall not be eligible to engage in extra-duty
employment. Officers who accept or perform extra-duty employment while
on sick or injured leave from their regular duties with the City of
Burlington Police Department shall be subject to discipline.
O. Wages. Wages earned for outside extra-duty employment by any City
of Burlington police officer shall not be applied toward the pension
benefits of the police officer so employed.
P. City reservation of right to decline extra-duty employment. The Chief
of Police, as well as the City of Burlington, reserves the right to
decline to approve any extra-duty employment as herein defined and
subject to the Chief of Police's discretion.
Q. Defense and indemnification. Each employer of a police officer for
extra duty must sign in advance a hold-harmless indemnification agreement
stating that said employer will release, defend and indemnify the
police officer, the Police Chief, the Police Department, the Common
Council members, City of Burlington and any agent, officer, employee
thereof and save them harmless from and against any and all claims,
actions, damages, liability and expenses, including but not limited
to court costs and reasonable attorney's fees, without regard to fault,
in connection with or arising out of any acts or omissions by the
City of Burlington police officer in performing the extra duty subject
to said employer's agreement with the City of Burlington or in connection
with or arising out of that agreement between said employer and the
City of Burlington or City of Burlington Police Department for such
extra-duty assignment.
R. Procedure.
(1) All requests for extra-duty assignments shall be forwarded to the
City of Burlington Chief of Police through the use of the attached
form. Requests for assignments for a period of one week or longer
shall be submitted at least 15 days before such services are required.
Any prospective employer shall be apprised of any applicable City
codes, ordinances, rules and regulations, and policies and procedures.
(2) The Chief of Police shall ensure:
(a)
Compliance with this policy and all applicable City codes and
ordinances, Departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures,
and other applicable contracts, agreements, laws and regulations.
(b)
Notwithstanding any other regulations and/or contracts, ensure
that there is an equitable opportunity for all eligible officers within
the Department to avail themselves to such extra-duty employment.
Repeated denials by an officer who has been offered such employment
does not encumber or obligate the Department to ensure for equitable
distribution of such employment opportunities.
(c)
All officers working extra-duty details shall do so under the
auspices and control of the Department's rules and regulations and
policies and procedures.
(d)
All officers working extra-duty details have the training, experience
and skills required to perform the assignment safely and appropriately,
and shall be denied assignment if he or she lacks the same. An officer
may be declined permission to accept a specific extra-duty position
if, in the judgment of the Chief of Police, the officer lacks the
training, experience or skills needed for the assignment.
(e)
All escrow payments, certificates of insurance and applicable
forms have been completed, submitted, and accepted as required.
S. Rates of compensation; administrative fee; payment for services.
Rates of compensation for contracting the services of off-duty law
enforcement officers for extra-duty shall be at a fixed rate per hour
for the officer that shall be established by resolution authorized
by the City of Burlington Common Council. Said amount shall be set
to include any potential overtime due to the officer at his regular
hourly rate. That set rate shall also be the rate of pay for the officer.
Additionally, an administrative fee shall be charged to cover the
administrative costs, overhead, and out-of-pocket expenses for the
officer that are incurred by the City of Burlington, including, but
not limited to, an administrative fee for use of a City of Burlington
vehicle. All fees related to this section shall be set and established
by resolution adopted by the City Common Council from time to time.
[Amended 5-3-2016 by Ord.
No. 04-2016]
T. Performance of police-related services in other police jurisdictions.
Officers of the City of Burlington Police Department are hereby authorized
and empowered to perform extra-duty police-related services for private
persons, entities, or organizations during off-duty hours in other
police jurisdictions, subject to the approval by the Chief of Police.
Rates for compensation and payment of officers engaged in such extra-duty
assignments shall be that rate of payment and compensation established
by ordinance in the outside jurisdiction.
U. City administration of extra-duty payments. All payments made by
an employer for extra-duty employment, including, but not limited
to, administrative costs, shall be placed in an extra-duty police
account to be known and established as the "Police Extra-Duty Trust
Account," or some other such name as required by the CFO of the City
of Burlington and all funds collected for services rendered and disbursements
made shall be by and through such account. Officers of the City of
Burlington Police Department shall be paid for services performed
on the scheduled pay dates and on the submission of a time voucher
approved by the Chief of Police, or his designee, and presented to
the City CFO for payment from the aforesaid account. No disbursement
shall be made for extra-duty services rendered until full payment
has been received on account of such service from the employer. The
Chief of Police, or his designee, shall bill for all such services
rendered by officers of the Department, and shall keep such further
books and records as may be deemed appropriate by the Common Council
of the City of Burlington or the City Auditor.
(1) Any employer requesting extra-duty services of an off-duty officer
shall submit a deposit in the "Policy Extra-Duty Trust Account" based
upon the Police Chief's estimate of time required by the employer
based upon the prevailing rate established by the City. The deposit
shall be made prior to any officer providing extra-duty services,
and, in the event the employer's escrow account becomes depleted,
extra-duty services shall be immediately terminated by the Police
Chief.
(2) All funds, if any, remaining in the employer's escrow account after
the extra-duty services are completed and paid for shall be returned
to the employer, unless the employer elects to leave the escrowed
amount in the account for future extra-duty employment.
V. Exemptions; waiver of extra-duty compensation. Any school district,
charity or other nonprofit organization recognized by the Internal
Revenue Code may apply to the Police Chief for an exemption from all
fees codified within this section. The application for exemption shall
be in writing and forwarded to the Police Chief. Additionally, any
police officer may voluntarily elect to donate any extra-duty compensation
earned to an employer that is recognized by the Internal Revenue Code
as a charitable or nonprofit organization, which election by the officer
shall be communicated to the Police Chief prior to commencing the
extra-duty employment with the charitable or nonprofit employer, including
school districts.
W. Police vehicle. The Chief of Police shall determine if extra-duty
assignments require the use of a Burlington City vehicle, and, if
so determined, the Police Chief shall impose and charge a fee as set
by resolution of the Common Council for the City of Burlington with
a minimum of $12.50 per hour, minimum four hours per use for the use
of said vehicle with such fee to be payable to the City.
X. Business within the City of Burlington. Any person, entity, or organization
wishing to employ off-duty police for extra-duty work within the City
limits or municipal boundaries of the City of Burlington must engage
the City of Burlington Police Department in order to effectuate the
use of and employ off-duty police officers for extra-duty work. As
previously defined herein, if the City of Burlington Chief of Police
declines such an employment request, the Chief of Police may either
refer the employment opportunity to another municipal police department
of the New Jersey State Police or may advise the employer that they
may seek out an alternative municipal police department of the New
Jersey State Police. The Chief of Police retains the authority to
deny such employment and deny the employer authorization to seek out
such alternative police at the Chief of Police's discretion. The Chief
of Police is hereby authorized and directed to establish such rules
and regulations as are necessary to implement this section. If the
employer engages another police department, said employer must apply
to the City of Burlington Chief of Police for approval.
[Amended by Ord. No. 14-1998]
A. Creation of position. The position of Chief of Police is created
in the City. All permanent officers in the Police Division who have
attained the rank of Lieutenant and have served at least one year
in such position shall be eligible to take the promotional examination
for Chief of Police. Until such time as a permanent Chief of Police
is appointed, the Council shall appoint an Acting Chief of Police
who, while acting in such capacity, shall have all the powers and
duties of the Chief of Police.
B. Duties. The Chief of Police shall be the executive head of the Police
Division. It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police to cause the
public peace to be preserved and to see that all laws and ordinances
relating thereto are properly enforced. He/she shall faithfully and
promptly obey and cause all persons under him/her to obey all the
rules, regulations and orders from time to time prescribed by the
Council. He/she shall, in case of tumult, riot, insurrection or threatenings
thereof, take command of the police force in person and direct their
movements and operations in the discharge of their duties.
C. Responsibilities. The Chief of Police shall:
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord.
No. 01-2010]
(1) Be directly responsible for all action of the Police Division to
the Mayor or the Mayor's designee who is the "appropriate authority"
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118;
(2) Maintain records of all expenditures of the Division and submit reports
thereof on demand of the appropriate authority. All records and activities
concerning the Division that are not confidential by law shall be
made available to the appropriate authority upon demand;
(3) From time to time, and at least once a year, submit suggestions and
recommendations for the improvement of law enforcement in the community.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord.
No. 01-2010; 3-19-2013 by Ord. No. 01-2013]
A. Captains.
Captains shall serve as command personnel and shall be responsible
for the supervision of the personnel of the Police Division. Captains
shall perform all duties and perform such duties as the Chief of Police
may assign, and all other duties as listed by the title of Captain
pursuant to the Civil Service Commission of the State of New Jersey.
B. Lieutenants. Lieutenants shall serve as command personnel and shall
be responsible for the supervision of the personnel of the Police
Division. The Lieutenants shall also perform such other duties as
the Captain and Chief of Police may assign.
C. Sergeants. Under the supervision of a Lieutenant, a Sergeant shall
be responsible for police activities intended to provide assistance
and protection for persons, safeguard property, and assure observance
of the law. The Sergeants shall also perform such other duties as
Lieutenants, the Captain or the Chief of Police may assign.
[Amended by Ord. No. 08-2002]
A. Creation of position. The Common Council, as it deems necessary,
shall appoint special law enforcement officers sufficient to perform
the duties and responsibilities permitted by this chapter and authorized
by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118. No such appointment shall be made until the
Chief of Police or, in the absence of the Chief, the chief law enforcement
officer designated by the Chief of Police, shall have certified, in
writing, that an applicant for the position of special law enforcement
officer is both eligible and qualified to hold the position.
B. Qualifications. No person may be appointed as a special law enforcement
officer unless such person:
(1) Is a resident of the State of New Jersey during the term of the appointment;
(2) Is able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently
and has a high school diploma or its equivalent;
(3) Is sound in body and of good health;
(4) Is of good moral character;
(5) Has not been convicted of any offense involving dishonesty which
would make him/her unfit to perform the duties of the office of special
law enforcement officer;
(6) Has successfully undergone the same psychological testing that is
required of all full-time police officers;
(7) Complies with all other requirements set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8
et seq., the administrative rules and regulations of the Department
of Law and Public Safety and the general ordinances of the City of
Burlington;
(8) A hiring preference shall be given to a resident of the City.
C. Classification. Special law enforcement officers shall be classified
as belonging to either Class One or Class Two, based upon the duties
to be performed by each class, as follows:
(1) Class One. Officers of this class shall be authorized to perform
routine traffic detail, spectator control and similar duties as may
be assigned by the Chief of Police or, in the absence of the Chief,
the law enforcement officer designated by the Chief of Police. Class
One officers shall have the power to issue summonses for disorderly
persons and petty disorderly persons offenses, violations of City
ordinances and violations of N.J.S.A. 39:1-1 et seq. The use of a
firearm by a Class One special law enforcement officer shall be strictly
prohibited. No Class One officer shall be assigned any duty which
may require the carrying or use of a firearm.
(2) Class two. Officers of this class shall be authorized to exercise
full powers and duties similar to those of a permanent, regularly
appointed full-time police officer. The use of a firearm by a Class
Two special law enforcement officer may be authorized only after the
officer shall have been fully certified as successfully completing
training, as prescribed by the Police Training Commission established
in the Department of Law and Public Safety.
D. Training course. No person shall commence duties as a special law
enforcement officer until having successfully completed a training
course approved by the Police Training Commission. In addition, no
Class Two special law enforcement officer shall be issued a firearm
prior to having successfully completed the basic firearms course required
by the Police Training Commission for permanent, regularly appointed
police and annual requalification examinations.
E. Persons ineligible for appointment. No person shall be eligible to
serve as a special law enforcement officer in the City if that person
intends to serve as a special law enforcement officer in another municipality;
nor shall any permanent, regularly appointed full-time police officer
be permitted to simultaneously serve as a special law enforcement
officer in the City. No public official with responsibility for setting
law enforcement policy or exercising authority over the budget of
the City or supervision of the Police Department shall be appointed
as a special law enforcement officer.
F. Fingerprints. Every applicant appointed to the position of special
law enforcement officer shall have fingerprints taken, which fingerprints
shall be filed with the Division of State Police and the Federal Bureau
of Investigation.
G. Continuation in position of existing officers. All persons appointed
and in service as special law enforcement officers on January 13,
1986, may continue to hold that position if within 24 months of such
date they will have completed all training and certification requirements
of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8 et seq.
H. Powers and authority. The Chief of Police or, in the absence of the
Chief, such other law enforcement officer designated by the Chief,
may authorize special law enforcement officers when on duty to exercise
the same powers and authority as permanent, regularly appointed police
officers, including, but not limited to, the carrying of firearms
and the power of arrest, subject to rules and regulations not inconsistent
with the certification requirements of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8 et seq.,
as may be established by this chapter.
I. Appointment; term; revocation. A special law enforcement officer
may be appointed for a term not to exceed one year. The powers and
duties of a special law enforcement officer shall cease at the expiration
of the term to which the special law enforcement officer shall have
been appointed. At the expiration of such term, the Common Council
shall have absolute discretion in determining whether to reappoint.
The appointment of a special law enforcement officer may be revoked
by the Common Council for cause after adequate hearing, unless the
appointment is for four months or less, in which event the appointment
may be revoked without cause or hearing.
J. Duty times. A special law enforcement officer shall be deemed to
be on duty only while performing the public safety functions on behalf
of the City pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8 et seq., and when receiving
compensation, if any, from the City at the rates or stipends as established
by ordinance. A special law enforcement officer shall not be deemed
to be on duty while performing private security duties for private
employers which duties are not assigned by the Chief of Police, or
his/her designee, or while receiving compensation for those duties
from a private employer. A special law enforcement officer may, however,
be assigned by the Chief of Police, or his/her designee, to perform
public safety functions for a private entity if the Chief, or his/her
designee, supervises the performance of the public safety functions.
If the Chief of Police, or his/her designee, assigns a public safety
duty and supervises the performance of those duties, then, notwithstanding
that the City is reimbursed for the cost of assigning a special law
enforcement officer at a private entity, the special law enforcement
officer shall be deemed to be on duty.
K. Hours of employment. Upon the recommendation of the Chief of Police,
the Common Council shall designate one special law enforcement officer
who may be employed for more than 20 hours per week. Except in periods
of emergency, in which event there shall be no limitation as to hours
per week, no special law enforcement officer may be employed for more
than 20 hours per week. An emergency shall be defined as any sudden,
unexpected or unforeseeable event requiring the immediate use or deployment
of law enforcement personnel, as shall be determined by the Chief
of Police, or his/her designee. Vacations, shortages in police personnel
caused by vacancies unfilled by the Common Council for more than 60
days or any other condition which could reasonably have been anticipated
or foreseen shall not constitute an emergency. However, an emergency
may continue when a vacancy remains unfilled for more than 60 days
and when, on application of the Common Council, the County Prosecutor
grants an extension for one or more sixty-day period upon a showing
by the Common Council of a diligent, good faith effort to fill the
vacancy.
L. Supervision; conduct. A special law enforcement officer shall be
under the supervision and direction of the Chief of Police, or his/her
designee, and shall perform all duties solely with the City, unless
in fresh pursuit of any person pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:156-1 et seq.
A special police officer shall comply with the rules and regulations
applicable to the conduct and decorum of the permanent, regularly
appointed police officers of the City, as well as all rules and regulations
applicable to the conduct and decorum of special law enforcement officers.
M. Uniforms; cost; compensation for training time.
(1) Uniforms. A special law enforcement officer, prior to the commencement
of duty, shall be in uniform, properly displaying the appropriate
insignia. At a minimum, the uniform shall include, but not be limited
to, a hat and appropriate badge which shall contain the name of the
City of Burlington and the identification number or name tag of the
special law enforcement officer. The uniform shall also include an
insignia issued by the Police Training Commission identifying the
officer's status as either a Class One or Class Two special law enforcement
officer.
(2) Cost of uniforms and equipment. The Common Council shall charge a
special law enforcement officer a reasonable fee for all equipment
and uniforms which it supplies.
(3) Cost of training; compensation. A fee shall not be imposed for the
cost of training or issuing a certificate of appointment. A special
law enforcement officer shall not be compensated for time spent in
training.
N. Firearms. A Class Two special law enforcement officer may only carry
a firearm while engaged in the actual performance of the officer's
official duties and when specifically authorized by the Chief of Police,
or his/her designee, to carry a firearm and provided that the officer
has satisfactorily completed the basic firearms course required by
the Police Training Commission for regular police officers and the
annual requalification examination. Any firearm utilized by a special
law enforcement officer shall be returned at the end of the officer's
workday to the officer in charge of the station house.
O. Number of special law enforcement officers. The number of Class One
special law enforcement officers employed by the City shall not exceed
the number of regular police officers employed by the City. The maximum
number of Class Two special law enforcement officers employed by the
City shall not exceed 25% of the total number of regular police officers
employed by the City. Special law enforcement officers may be employed
only to assist the Police Division but may not be employed to replace
or substitute for full-time, regular police officers or in any way
diminish the number of full-time officers employed by the City.