Terms defined. The terminology listed in this section has been defined to provide uniformity in usage and to clarify meanings when these terms are used:
APPROPRIATE AUTHORITYPursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118, the Police Committee Chairman is hereby designated for purposes of this chapter as the "appropriate authority."
[Added 5-16-1988 by Ord. No. 650]
A unit immediately subordinate to a division.
CHAIN OF COMMANDThe unbroken line of authority extending from the Chief of Police through a single subordinate at each level of command down to the level of execution and vice versa.
DAYS OFFThose days, determined by the Chief of Police, on which a given member is excused from duty.
DETAILA temporary assignment of personnel for a specialized activity.
DETECTIVEA police officer assigned to conduct criminal investigations while in civilian clothing.
DIVISIONA functional unit having jurisdiction-wide coverage, whose commanding officer reports directly to the Chief of Police.
EMPLOYEECivilian employee of the Department.
GENERAL ORDERSWritten directives issued by the Chief of Police. "General orders" remain in full force and effect until amended, superseded or canceled by the Chief of Police. Department "general orders" establish policy, procedure or regulations governing matters which affect the entire Department or two or more subordinate units. They are the most authoritative directive issued on the Department and may be used to amend, supersede or cancel any other order.
HEADQUARTERSThe police building that houses the headquarters staff and the members of this Department.
INCOMPETENCEIncapable of satisfactory performance of police duties.
INSUBORDINATIONFailure or deliberate refusal of any member or employee to obey a lawful order given by a superior officer, ridiculing a superior officer or his order and disrespectful, mutinous, insolent or abusive language directed toward a supervising officer, whether in or out of his presence.
LAWFUL ORDERAny written or oral directive issued by a superior officer to any subordinate or group of subordinates in the course of police duty which is not in violation of any law, ordinance or any Department rule or regulation.
MEMBERAny duly appointed police officer of the Department.
MEMORANDAInformation bulletins which are primarily designed to inform and secondarily to direct issues at Departmental and divisional level. Such "memoranda" are not official orders but express the thinking of the issuing authority on the subject under consideration.
MILITARY LEAVEThe period of time during which an officer is excused from duty by reason of serving in the Armed Forces of the United States in an active capacity as provided by law.
NEGLECT OF DUTYFailure to give suitable attention to the performance of duty. Examples include but are not limited to the following: failure to take appropriate action on the occasion of a crime, disorder or other act or condition deserving police attention; absence without leave; failure to report to duty at the time and place designated; unnecessary absence from the beat during a tour of duty; failure to perform duties or comply with provisions prescribed in the police manual; or failure to conform to the Department operating procedures.
OFF DUTYThe status of a member during the period he is free from the performance of specified duties. Also may be known as "rest period," "day off" or an "annual leave."
ON DUTYThe status of a member during the period of the day when he is actively engaged in the performance of his duties. Technically, a police officer is subject to call at all times.
ORDERAny written or oral directive issued by a superior officer to any subordinate or group of subordinates in the course of police duty.
PERSONNEL ORDERSAppointment, assignment or any other status change of personnel within the Department accomplished by Department personnel order issued by the Chief of Police.
POLICE MANUALReference guide specifying the rules and regulations governing the conduct of personnel and the operation of the Department, as well as specifying Department policies and procedures. Department orders will be incorporated into the "police manual" after a provisional period of operation. This manual is issued by authority of the Chief of Police and carries the weight of a general order.
PROCEDUREThe official method of dealing with any given situation prescribed by Chief's order or procedural guide.
RULES AND REGULATIONSDepartment legislation consisting of detailed directives binding members and employees of all ranks in terms of authority, responsibility and conduct.
SECTIONA functional unit subordinate to a bureau or under the immediate direction of the Chief of Police. It may be commanded by any rank, depending on its size and the nature and importance of its function.
SENIORITY"Seniority" in the Department is established first by rank and second by time served in this Department, whether on a regular, assigned or temporary basis. In situations requiring decision or control where the officers are of equal rank, the senior will make the decision and exercise control unless otherwise directed by a higher ranking command or supervisory officer.
SHIFTAn eight-hour tour of duty.
SICK LEAVEThe period of time during which an officer is excused from active duty by reason of illness or injury.
SPECIAL DUTYPolice service, the nature of which requires that the member be excused from the performance of his regular duties.
SPECIAL ORDERSWritten directives issued by the Chief of Police which specify instruction governing particular situations. "Special orders" are automatically canceled when their objectives are achieved.
SUPERVISORY OFFICERMember of the Department assigned to a position requiring the exercise of immediate supervision over the activities of other members and employees.
TOUR OF DUTYThe number of days of work on a given shift during which an individual member is on duty.
TRAINING BULLETINBulletins published and designed to keep officers of the Department abreast of current police techniques and procedures. The bulletins and their presentation act as a continuous training program and as a stimulus for further study. The information contained therein constitutes official Department policy on the subject matter under consideration in the absence of other instruction to the contrary.