[Adopted 8-12-1986 by Ord. No. 86-12 (Ch. 39, Art. II, of the 1977 Code)]
A Police Department shall be and the same is
hereby established in and for the Township of Hillsborough, under
the name of "Police Department of the Township of Hillsborough."
[Amended 8-8-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-14; 7-13-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-13; 10-24-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-13]
The Police Department of the Township of Hillsborough may include
a Chief of Police, Captains, Lieutenants, Sergeants, Corporals and
such number of Patrolmen and temporary officers and members as may,
from time to time, be deemed necessary by the Township Committee to
properly preserve the peace and good order within the Township. The
Table of Organization for the Police Department shall not exceed a
total force of 77, including the following maximums by rank:
A.
Police Chief: one.
B.
Captain: two.
C.
Lieutenant: five.
D.
Sergeant: eight.
E.
Corporal: as defined under the collective bargaining agreement between
PBA Local 205 and the Township of Hillsborough.
F.
Patrolman: 55.
G.
Civilian personnel assigned to the Police Department in the amount
necessary shall be determined by the Township Committee or designee.
[Amended 5-11-1993 by Ord. No. 93-17]
A.
Appointments.
(1)
Each applicant for appointment to the Department as
a police officer shall comply with the laws of the State of New Jersey
pertaining thereto. No person shall be given or accept a permanent
appointment as a police officer in the Township unless such person
has first been given a probationary/temporary appointment to such
office for a period of one year after successful completion of a police
training course at a school approved and authorized by the Police
Training Commission and Department of Law and Public Safety of the
State of New Jersey. In the event that the police training course
is not taken by the police officer at the start of the probationary
period, the probationary period shall be extended so that a full year
of probation shall follow successful completion of the training course.
Upon the expiration of such probationary period, the appointment shall
become permanent unless, at any time prior thereto, the probationary
appointment has been revoked by resolution of the Township Committee.
(2)
No person shall be appointed to the Police Department
as a regular or probationary police officer unless he:
(a)
Is a citizen of the United States.
(b)
Is not less than 18 years of age.
(c)
Is of sound body and in good health; it shall
be certified at the Township's expense by a physician selected by
the Township that he is in good health, including his hearing and
eyesight, and is physically capable of performing the duties required
of him.
(d)
Is able to read, write and speak the English
language understandably.
(e)
Is of good moral character. No person shall
be appointed who has been convicted of any crime.
(f)
Has successfully completed four years of accredited
high school work or the equivalent thereof of private vocational or
other school credits.
(g)
Is of a weight in proportion to height.
(h)
Shall have been fingerprinted by an authorized
agent of the Township and shall have caused the same to be filed in
the office of the Police Department.
(i)
Shall have filed a verified application, on
forms furnished by the Chief of Police, with all questions answered,
within the time period fixed by the Chief of Police.
(3)
The Township shall employ one of two procedures for
accepting applications for the position of police officer. The Township
reserves the right to utilize either or both of the following procedures
in whatever order of preference it chooses.
(a)
One procedure will be to accept all applicants who meet the standards set forth in § 92-8A(2). In such case, the following tests and screening processes shall be utilized:
[1]
Each applicant for appointment shall take a
written competitive examination. The weight given to the examination
shall be 45% of the total score of 100 for each applicant. Only those
applicants scoring 70% or better on the written examination shall
be permitted to take the subsequent examinations specified herein.
[2]
Each applicant receiving a passing score of
70% or better, as set forth above, may take a physical agility examination.
The physical agility examination shall be 10% of the weight given
to the total score of 100 for each applicant. A passing score on the
physical agility examination shall be 70% or better.
[3]
Upon receiving passing scores on the written
examination and the physical agility test, an applicant shall be permitted
to participate in an oral interview conducted by the ranking officers
within the Police Department designated by the Chief of Police. The
oral interview shall account for the balance of the total score given
to each applicant (45%). A passing score for the oral interview shall
be 70% or better.
[4]
A list of those applicants passing the aforesaid
tests and screening processes shall be established, with the top scoring
candidate at the top of the list and with the remaining candidates
listed thereafter in descending order of scores achieved; said list
shall be maintained for a period of six months, which period may be
extended to one year at the discretion of the Chief of Police. From
time to time, as the need arises for employment of new police officers,
the Chief of Police shall select a sufficient number of candidates
from the top of the list, in descending order, each of whom will be
given a background investigation.
[Amended 4-27-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-04]
[5]
The aforesaid applicants passing the background
investigation shall undergo an oral interview by the Chief of Police
and members of the Township Committee. A list will be compiled from
that interview from most qualified applicant at the top to least qualified
in descending order. The most qualified applicant(s) will be offered
a tentative position as police officer.
[6]
The person(s) accepting the tentative offer
shall undergo a medical and psychological examination, which shall
be conducted by a licensed physician and licensed psychologist selected
by and paid for by the Township.
[7]
The applicant passing the aforesaid examinations
shall be selected to fill police officer vacancies.
(b)
The second procedure will allow the Township to limit applicants to only persons who are PTC (Police Training Commission) certified or who are presently attending a certified police training school at the time the applications are being accepted. These applicants must meet the standards set forth in § 92-8A(2). In such case, the following screening processes shall be utilized:
[1]
All applicants will be required to participate
in an oral interview given by ranking officers from within the Police
Department designated by the Chief of Police. This will account for
100% of the applicant's score. A passing score for the oral interview
shall be 70% or better.
[2]
A list of those applicants passing the oral
interview shall be established, with the top scoring candidate at
the top of the list and with remaining candidates listed thereafter
in descending order of scores achieved; said list shall be maintained
for a period of six months, which period may be extended to one year
at the discretion of the Chief of Police. From time to time, as the
need arises for employment of new officers, the Chief of Police shall
select a sufficient number of candidates from the top of the list,
in descending order, each of whom will be given a background investigation.
[Amended 4-27-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-04]
[3]
The aforesaid applicants passing the background
investigation shall undergo an oral interview by the Chief of Police
and members of the Township Committee. A list will be compiled from
that interview from most qualified applicant at the top to least qualified
in descending order. The most qualified applicant(s) will be offered
a tentative position as police officer.
[4]
The person(s) accepting the tentative offer
shall undergo a medical and psychological examination, which shall
be conducted by a licensed physician and licensed psychologist selected
by and paid for by the Township.
[5]
The applicants passing the aforesaid examinations
shall be selected to fill police officer vacancies, provided that
they have completed and received PTC certification at the time of
hire.
B.
Promotions.
(1)
A promotion of any member or officer of the Police
Department or force to a superior position shall be made from the
membership of such Department or force. Due consideration shall be
given to the member so proposed for promotion and to the length and
merit of his service.
(2)
Promotion of members of the Department shall occur, except as noted below, in the following steps: Police Officer to Sergeant; Sergeant to Lieutenant; Sergeant to Captain and Lieutenant to Captain or Police Chief. The Township Committee can promote a Sergeant to the position of Captain once they have achieved at least one year of permanent status as a Police Sergeant, excluding the probationary period for Sergeant as set forth in § 92-8B(4) as to the definition of probationary period. The Township Committee can promote other members of the Department more than one rank at any time above the rank of Lieutenant, i.e., from Lieutenant to Chief.
[Amended 6-23-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-12; 4-23-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-09; 10-15-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-18]
(3)
No police officer shall become eligible for promotion
to the rank of Sergeant within the Department until after he shall
have served in the capacity of police officer for at least three full
years, exclusive of his probationary period and exclusive of his period
of attendance at police academy or school.
(4)
No Sergeant shall become eligible for a promotion to the rank of
Lieutenant until he/she shall have served in the capacity of Sergeant
for at least one full year exclusive of his/her probationary period.
A Sergeant shall serve for a probationary period of six months before
his/her appointment as Sergeant shall be deemed permanent.
[Amended 9-10-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-17]
(5)
No Sergeant or Lieutenant shall be eligible for promotion to the
rank of Captain within the Department until he/she shall have served
in the capacity of Sergeant or Lieutenant for at least one full year,
exclusive of his/her probationary period as a Sergeant or Lieutenant.
No Lieutenant shall be eligible for promotion to the rank of Police
Chief within the Department until he/she shall have served in the
capacity of Lieutenant for at least one full year, exclusive of his/her
probationary period. The probationary period for a Lieutenant shall
be six months before his/her appointment to that rank shall be permanent.
[Amended 9-10-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-17]
(6)
Any promotional appointment can be revoked by resolution
of the Township Committee during the course of the probationary period
attached to that particular appointment.
(7)
Selection process for promotion to Sergeant.
(a)
The selection process for the promotion of a candidate from
police officer to Sergeant shall be based on the following components:
[Amended 6-23-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-12]
[1]
Written exam administered by the New Jersey State Chiefs of
Police Association or other organization selected by the Chief of
Police. This exam shall be scored on a pass/fail basis. An employee
must score at least 70 points on the examination to pass. A pass score
is necessary to be considered for the remaining provisions of the
promotional selection process for Sergeant, which is set forth below.
The results of the examination will be effective for three years from
the date of the examination.
[Amended 4-23-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-09; 12-14-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-24]
[2]
Supervisory officers (Sergeants and Lieutenants), other than
Police Chief and Captains, promotional evaluation: 20 points. Sergeants
shall evaluate all eligible patrolmen.
[3]
Captains and Chief of Police's promotional evaluation: 20 points.
[4]
Oral interview. Both members of the Township Police Committee
and the Chief of Police shall interview each candidate for promotion:
55 points.
(b)
A passing score will require the candidate to
receive at least 21 points on the written exam and a total of 70 points
cumulatively for all four components delineated above. Point accreditation
for seniority, delineation of the subcomponents of the promotional
evaluation as well as the procedure for development of the eligibility
list shall be as set forth below.
(8)
Selection process for promotion to Lieutenant.
(a)
The selection process for promotion of a candidate to the position
of Lieutenant shall be based on the following components:
[Amended 6-23-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-12]
(b)
To achieve a passing score, a candidate must
obtain at least 70 points cumulatively on three components delineated
above. The specific methodology for the accreditation of seniority
points, the subcomponents of the promotional evaluation and the components
of the oral interview shall be as set forth below.
(9)
Selection process for promotion to Captain or Police
Chief.
[Amended 6-23-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-12]
(a)
The selection process for promotion of a candidate to the position
of Captain or Police Chief shall be based on the following components:
(b)
Candidates above the passing score of 70 shall be considered
for the promotion. The component parts of the oral interview, promotional
evaluation and personnel record, as well as the methodology for crediting
seniority points for years of service, shall be as set forth below.
The ultimate determination as to promotion to the position of Sergeant,
Lieutenant, Captain or Police Chief shall be that of the Township
Committee.
(10)
The criteria to be utilized, each of which shall be
given equal weight in evaluations performed by the supervisory officer,
the Police Chief, staff officers and the Township Committee, in making
promotions to all positions other than that of Chief of Police shall
consist of 20 criteria set forth on the attached Schedule A.[1] Each criterion shall be given in a high score ranging
from one to five, based upon how well the applicant meets that criterion.
The resulting number of points thus achieved (at the total possible
100 points so achievable) shall be expressed as a percentage and shall
be multiplied by the number of points attributed to this portion of
the promotional evaluation in order to determine the candidate's score.
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule A is on file in the
office of the Police Department.
(12)
The following points shall be given for seniority:
|
Numbers of Years
|
Points
| |
|---|---|---|
|
20 or more
|
5
| |
|
16 to 19
|
4
| |
|
12 to 15
|
3
| |
|
8 to 11
|
2
| |
|
4 to 7
|
1
|
(13)
Once a list for promotion has been created identifying the candidate(s)
who achieved a passing score for the rank in question, the results
of the written examination only, where applicable, shall remain in
effect for three years from the date of the examination. The promotion
list(s) created by the scoring provisions above shall remain in effect
for six months after the promotion(s) is (are) made. However, the
Township Committee can, at its sole discretion, prior to the expiration
of the six months set forth above, extend one or more promotion lists
for up to an additional six-month period. Thereafter, any scoring/interviews,
other than the examination where applicable, must be done for each
and every promotion.
[Added 6-23-2015 by Ord.
No. 2015-12; 4-23-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-09; 12-14-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-24]
[Added 9-10-1996 by Ord. No. 96-15]
The Police Manual is adopted pursuant to the
ordinances of the Township of Hillsborough for the government, discipline,
administration and operation of the Department of Police and its members.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Police Manual containing
the rules and regulations of the Police Department, adopted by reference
by Ordinance 96-15, may be found on file in the Township offices.
The Township Committee shall establish and may,
from time to time, amend or appeal such rules and regulations as it
may deem necessary for the government and efficient working of the
entire Department and to secure the greatest possible protection to
persons and property and the supremacy of law, peace, health, order,
morality and temperance throughout the Township.
It shall be the duty of said Police Committee to carefully examine or cause to be examined the educational, mental, moral and physical fitness of any candidate which it would be willing to recommend for appointment or promotion to any office or position within the Department in accordance with § 92-8 hereinabove.
Each person hereafter appointed to the Department or promoted to any office within the Department shall first serve a probationary period of one year for a patrolman and six months for any superior rank in accordance with § 92-8 hereinabove. During the probationary period, he shall be known as an "acting officer" or a "special policeman," as the case may be. At the termination of said probationary period, the appointment as an officer or police officer, as the case may be, shall become final upon the recommendation of the Police Committee and the consent of a majority of the members of the Township Committee present and voting.
In the event that the Police Committee shall
fail, for a period of 30 days after the results of any selection process
are reported to the Police Committee, to recommend a candidate for
appointment to or promotion within the Police Department or a majority
of the members of the Township Committee present and voting fail,
within said 30 days, to consent to such appointment or promotion as
may be recommended by the Police Committee, then, after the expiration
of said 30 days, an appointment to or promotion within the Police
Department may be made by a majority of the members of the Township
Committee present and voting without the recommendation of the Police
Committee.
Every member of the Police Department, before
entering upon the performance of his duties, shall take and subscribe
an oath or 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 office, which oath or affirmation
shall be in the form provided by law and shall be filed with the Township
Clerk.
The Chief of the Police Department shall be
the executive head of the Department and shall be responsible to the
Police Committee and, through the same, to the Township Committee
for the conduct, efficiency and management of the Department. The
hours of employment of the members of the Police Department and of
special policemen shall be determined by the Chief of Police. In case
of an emergency, the Chief of Police or other officer in charge shall
have full power and authority to summon and keep on duty any and all
members of the Police Department, including special policemen, during
the period of the emergency. In the absence or disability of the Chief
of Police, his duties shall be performed by his designated representative,
who shall be chosen from the ranks of Lieutenant and above.
The members of the Police Department shall be
held responsible for the proper enforcement of all the ordinances
of the Township of Hillsborough and the laws of the State of New Jersey
and of the United States.
The Chief of Police, with the assistance of
other members of the Department as shall be detailed for that purpose,
shall keep a complete record as prescribed in the rules and regulations
to be adopted by the Township Committee.
The Chief of Police shall report, in writing,
to the Police Committee at the first regular meeting in each month
on all matters pertaining to the Department, giving a complete record
of all arrests and complaints, together with the disposition of the
same, and such recommendations as, in his opinion, will increase the
efficiency of the Department.
No person shall be removed from office or employment
in the Police Department for political reasons or for other such causes
than incapacity, misconduct, nonresidence or violation of the terms
of this article or of the rules and regulations of the Department.
Charges preferred against a member or employee
of the Police Department shall be in writing and signed by the person
making such charges, said charges to be filed with the Police Committee,
which shall thereupon proceed as speedily as possible to investigate
said charges and, after such investigation, shall report to the Township
Committee, in writing, making such recommendations to it as shall
seem right and just in view of all circumstances. The Township Committee
shall thereupon cause a notice, in writing, to be served upon the
member or employee of the Police Department against whom the charges
are preferred to appear before the Township Committee, at a time and
place to be specified therein, to answer said charges, and, after
hearing said member or employee of the Police Department in his own
defense or without hearing such member in case he fails to appear,
the Township Committee may, by resolution, reprimand, suspend, reduce
in rank, fine or dismiss said member or employee of the Police Department
from the service of the Township of Hillsborough or exonerate him
from said charges. The Chief of Police, with the approval of the Police
Committee, may suspend any member or employee of the Department from
active duty pending the determination of such charges.
The compensation of the members of the Police
Department shall be determined by duly adopted resolution of the Township
Committee and shall be paid at such times as the Township Committee
may designate.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 92-22, Special policemen, was
repealed 3-12-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-01.
