There is hereby established a Division of Code Enforcement within
the Police Department. The division's primary function shall
be enforcement of the ordinances of the Township of Middle, including
but not limited to animal control, property maintenance and zoning
and planning. In executing that function the Division of Code Enforcement
may call upon the sworn Police Department or other law enforcement
officers for such assistance as is necessary.
All civilian code enforcement officers shall be appointed by
the Chief of Police, with the advice and consent of the Township Committee.
The Division of Code Enforcement shall be staffed with such further
civilian code enforcement officers and civilian clerical staff as,
from time to time, are appointed by the Chief of Police with the advice
and consent of the Township Committee. Each code enforcement officer
appointed hereunder shall be considered a "code enforcement officer"
as that term is used in Rule 7:2-2(a)(3) of the New Jersey Court Rules.
All code enforcement officers and clerical staff of the Division
of Code Enforcement shall report to the Chief of Police. The Chief
shall develop a standard operating procedure outlining the respective
duties and responsibilities of the code enforcement officers and setting
operational priorities.
Except as otherwise specifically may be set forth in the ordinances
of the Township of Middle, or by the laws of the State of New Jersey,
all ordinances governing the Middle Township Police Department also
shall govern the Division of Code Enforcement. The Chief of Police,
in his sole and absolute discretion, may exempt the Division of Code
Enforcement from coverage of any or all portions of the Middle Township
Police Department rules and regulations (also known as the "Police
Manual"). The Code Enforcement Official and the subordinate code enforcement
officers and clerical staff of the Division of Code Enforcement shall
not be deemed to be sworn members of the Police Department within
the meaning of any provision of Title 40A, Chapter 14, of the Revised
Statutes of New Jersey.