[Adopted 3-21-1996 by Ord. No. 1237]
It is the intention and purpose of this article to update, clarify and codify the many previous ordinances regulating the Police Department of the Borough of Palisades Park and to make those changes necessary as a result of changes in New Jersey Statutes and case law. All ordinances previously adopted by the Borough of Palisades Park regarding the Police Department, including but not limited to Ordinance No. 805, are hereby repealed.
[Amended 6-17-1997 by Ord. No. 1278; 12-18-2007 by Ord. No. 1496; 10-20-2009 by Ord. No. 1541; 2-16-2010 by Ord. No. 1545; 12-21-2010 by Ord. No. 1562; 7-17-2012 by Ord. No. 1578]
A. 
There is hereby created in and for the Borough of Palisades Park a Police Department, which shall consist of the following:
(1) 
Chief of Police: one.
(2) 
Captains: two.
(3) 
Lieutenants: three.
[Amended 7-24-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-7; 11-27-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-16; 2-23-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-1]
(4) 
Sergeants: nine.
[Amended 7-24-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-7]
(5) 
Police officers: in a number to be determined within the sound discretion of the Mayor and Council but not to exceed 36.
[Amended 7-24-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-7; 11-27-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-16]
B. 
The Mayor and Council shall, from time to time, determine the number of police officers, as well as temporary officers and members in an emergency, to be appointed to these positions and shall further determine their compensation.
[Added 2-16-2010 by Ord. No. 1545; amended 9-26-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-6]
In the absence of a Police Director, the appropriate authority shall be the Mayor and Council.
[Added 2-16-2010 by Ord. No. 1545]
The Police Director shall have the authority to:
A. 
Administer and enforce rules and regulations and special emergency directives for the disposition and discipline of the force and its offices and personnel;
B. 
Describe the duties and assignments of all subordinates and other police personnel;
C. 
Delegate such of his/her authority as he/she may deem necessary for the efficient operation of the force to be exercised under his/her direction and supervision;
D. 
Faithfully and promptly have all personnel of the Police Department under him/her to obey all rules and regulations and orders;
E. 
Be responsible for the investigation and adjudication of all complaints concerning performance of service or duties performed by the members of the Department;
F. 
Maintain a constructive relationship with the media and the public;
G. 
Be responsible for the maintenance of a daily police attendance report in which each member shall record his/her rank and time of reporting and leaving duty, complaints and matters pertaining to the Police Department;
H. 
Report at least weekly to the Mayor in such form as shall be prescribed by the Mayor on the operation of the force during the preceding week and make such other reports as may be requested by the Mayor;
I. 
Delegate such of his/her authority as he/she may deem necessary for the efficient operation of the force to be exercised under his/her direction and supervision;
J. 
Recommend to the Mayor the number of officers and personnel of the Police Department;
K. 
Recommend to the Mayor promotions in the Police Department;
L. 
Be responsible for the protection of lives and property in the Borough;
M. 
Organize and direct the Police Department and also all subordinate police personnel;
N. 
Plan, direct and control through subordinates all aspects of the police functions;
O. 
Counsel and train Police Department employees;
P. 
Prepare annual budget requests and recommendations for the Police Department and shall be responsible for all requests for expenditures;
Q. 
Supervise and direct all of the operations of the Police Department, utilizing supervisory personnel in the Police Department;
R. 
Establish work schedules and determine all shifts and make work assignments;
S. 
Take or recommend disciplinary action in accordance with statutory provisions;
T. 
Develop policies and procedures, written manuals and instructions for the Police Department;
U. 
Attend meetings and public gatherings to explain the safety activities and functions and to elicit citizens' support of police projects;
V. 
Plan and organize and direct all public safety operations with respect to personnel and equipment and buildings;
W. 
Work with community groups to foster the community action;
X. 
Respond to the scene of any major criminal activity and other major conditions that affect public safety and may personally direct public safety activities at the scene;
Y. 
Supervise effective programming for streetlights, signing and traffic control to ensure vehicle and pedestrian safety;
Z. 
Recruit and recommend candidates for positions in the Police Department in reference to appointments and promotions, suspensions and other disciplinary actions pursuant to law;
AA. 
Evaluate each member of the Police Department on a semiannual basis, in writing, and report on such evaluations to the Mayor.
[Added 2-16-2010 by Ord. No. 1545]
All functions of the Police Department which a civilian director does not have the authority under New Jersey statutes to exercise shall be performed by the Captain of Police, such as the issuance of a firearm permit pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3(d); internal affairs investigations; however, pursuant to law, the Director, as the appropriate authority of the Police Department, shall have access to all such reports over the scene of the special police to the extent of and limited by N.J.S.A. 48:14-146.14(c).[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.14(c).
[Added 2-16-2010 by Ord. No. 1545]
The position of Police Director shall be a part-time position with such a salary, with or without benefits, as determined by the Mayor and Council.
[Added 2-16-2010 by Ord. No. 1545]
The Police Director shall be nominated by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council. The governing body shall have the authority to enter into a contract with the Police Director for a term not exceeding three years at such salary and benefits as determined by the Mayor and Council.
[Added 2-16-2010 by Ord. No. 1545]
In order to be qualified for the position of Police Director, the person shall have served in the capacity of a superior administrative officer of a police department, law enforcement agency, or similar capacity for not less than 25 years or have sufficient higher education training in the field of administrative, executive and/or financial background with a minimum of a post-graduate degree in a related field.
[Added 6-22-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-8]
The position of Police Assistant Administrator in the Palisades Park Police Department is hereby established and who shall be appointed by the Mayor and Council.
A. 
Job duties.
(1) 
Make recommendations to update, adopt and promulgate standard operating procedures and general orders for the operation of the Police Department.
(2) 
Make recommendations to adopt and promulgate such policies and procedures necessary for the supervision and discipline of the personnel of the Police Department.
(3) 
Conduct a comprehensive review of the Department's Rules and Regulations to ensure compliance with the Attorney General Guidelines, current best practices and standards, labor and employment laws, and all applicable rules for all Borough employees.
(4) 
Assess and make recommendations to improve existing systems, processes and policies within the Department.
(5) 
Make recommendations to instill a community policing mindset throughout the Department and work to build relationships of trust and mutual respect with the community.
(6) 
Make recommendations to utilize quantitative data-driven policing strategies to foster smarter and more efficient allocation of law enforcement resources.
(7) 
Make recommendations on establishing a structured chain of command which will help provide for the orderly flow of communications and directions and an adherence to the hierarchical structure of the organization.
(8) 
Make recommendations to embrace inclusiveness and diversity in the workplace.
(9) 
Make recommendations to establish a communication system through which the Department routinely exchanges information, ideas and suggestions to best serve the Department.
(10) 
Make recommendations to establish protocols regarding when and how notifications are made to the Chief, Mayor and Borough Council.
(11) 
Assist in the review of all mandated and available training courses to both ensure compliance with the NJ Attorney Guidelines as well as presenting an opportunity for all officers to attend in-service training classes.
B. 
Qualifications. No person shall be appointed as Police Assistant Administrator unless:
(1) 
In order to be qualified for the position of Police Assistant Administrator, the person shall have served in the capacity of a superior administrative officer of a Police Department, Law Enforcement agency or similar capacity for not less than 25 years or have sufficient higher educational training in the field of administration, executive and/or financial background with a minimum post graduate degree in a related field.
(2) 
They are a citizen of the United States and of the State of New Jersey.
(3) 
They shall possess a valid New Jersey driver's license.
C. 
Compensation. Compensation for the Police Assistant Administrator in the Palisades Park Police Department shall be set forth in the Annual Salary Ordinance.
D. 
Term. The term of this office shall be one year.
The Police Department shall:
A. 
Preserve the public peace.
B. 
Protect life and property.
C. 
Detect, arrest and prosecute offenders of the laws of the State of New Jersey and all ordinances of the Borough of Palisades Park.
D. 
Direct and control traffic.
E. 
Provide attendance and protection during emergencies.
F. 
Provide appearances in court.
G. 
Cooperate with all other law enforcement agencies.
H. 
Provide training for the efficiency of its members and officers.
[Amended 2-16-2010 by Ord. No. 1545; 12-21-2010 by Ord. No. 1562; 1-26-2016 by Ord. No. 1659; 7-24-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-9; 2-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-3; 9-26-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-6]
In the absence of a Police Director, the appropriate authority shall be the Mayor and Council.
The Chief of Police shall be the head of the Police Department and shall be directly responsible to the Police Committee for its efficiency and day-to-day operations. Pursuant to policies established by the Police Committee, the Chief of Police shall:
A. 
Administer and enforce the rules and regulations of the Police Department and any emergency directive for the disposition and discipline of the Department and its members and officers.
B. 
Have, exercise and discharge the functions, powers and duties of the Police Department.
C. 
Prescribe the duties and assignments of all members and officers.
D. 
Delegate such authorities as may be deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the Police Department, to be exercised under the Chief's direction and control.
E. 
Report at least monthly to the appropriate authority in such form as shall be prescribed on the operation of the Police Department during the preceding month and make such other reports as may be requested by the appropriate authority.
No member of the Police Department shall be suspended, removed, fined or reduced in rank other than for incapacity, misconduct or disobedience as provided in the New Jersey Statutes and the Police Department's rules and regulations.
No person shall be appointed to the Police Department who is not qualified as provided in the New Jersey Statutes. All applicants for appointment to the Police Department shall successfully complete a physical, mental and psychological examination prior to appointment.
The Borough of Palisades Park may appoint, from time to time, special law enforcement officers in accordance with New Jersey Statutes and for terms not exceeding one year. They shall possess and exercise all of the powers and duties provided by said statutes during their terms in office but shall not be continued as regular members of the Police Department and shall not be entitled to tenure. The Chief of Police may authorize special law enforcement officers when on duty to exercise the same powers and authority as regular members of the Police Department, including the carrying of firearms and the power of arrest, provided that same is in accordance with the requirements of state law.