[Adopted 6-24-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-08]
There is hereby created in and for Maple Shade a Police Department,
known as the "Maple Shade Police Department," which shall consist
of one Chief of Police, one Captain, up to two Lieutenants, up to
five Sergeants, up to five Corporals, up to 26 patrol officers, and
part-time special law enforcement officers including up to two Class
I officers, two Class II officers and three Class III officers. As
used in this chapter, all sworn officers, i.e., Captain, Lieutenants,
Corporals, Sergeants and patrol officers, may be referred to as "members."
In addition, the Police Department may be supported by such civilian
employees as may be deemed necessary by the Township Manager. Such
Department shall be governed by the applicable laws of the state,
this chapter and other applicable laws and ordinances of the municipality
and rules and regulations adopted pursuant hereto.
This section establishes and sets forth the line of authority
for the administration and operation of the Maple Shade Police Department.
A. The Township Manager shall constitute the "appropriate authority"
as required by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118 and shall thereby have the powers
as provided by state law, including the authority and duty to:
(1) With the advice of the Chief of Police, adopt and promulgate rules
and regulations for the government of the police force and for the
discipline of its members; and
(2) Coordinate with the Chief with regard to the day-to-day operations
of the Police Department; and
(3) Handle police disciplinary matters; and
(4) Approve the promotion of police personnel and the hiring of new officers;
and
(5) Appoint Police Chaplains, crossing guards and such other civilian
employees and volunteers, as deemed necessary.
B. Reference to the Township Manager in this article shall be in his
or her capacity as the "appropriate authority."
C. Except as provided in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118, the governing body and
individuals thereof shall act in all matters relating to the police
function as a body, or through the Township Manager.
D. The Chief of Police shall be the highest ranking sworn law enforcement
officer in the police force and shall be directly responsible to the
Township Manager to ensure the efficient and routine day-to-day operations
of the Department, including the authority and duty to:
(1) Assist the Township Manager in the formulation of rules and regulations;
(2) Administer and enforce rules and regulations and special emergency
directives for the disposition and discipline of the force and its
officers and personnel;
(3) Have, exercise, and discharge the functions, powers and duties of
the force;
(4) Give assignments/instructions to subordinate members of the Police
Department and other personnel in conjunction with the Township Manager;
(5) Delegate such of his authority as he may deem necessary for the efficient
operation of the force to be exercised under his direction and supervision;
(6) Report at least monthly to the Township Manager, in such form as
shall be prescribed by the Township Manager, on the operation of the
Police Department and make such other reports as may be requested
from time to time by the Township Manager; and
(7) Such other duties as outlined in the Police Department Personnel
Rules and Regulations.
E. The Township Council shall:
(1) Review and conduct investigations of the operations of the Police
Department when necessary; and
(2) Review and establish from time to time the size and rank structure
within the Department; and
(3) Fix the compensation of the members of the Department consistent
with the terms and conditions of any applicable collective negotiations
agreements; and
(4) Approve the appointment of the Chief of Police.
Discipline of police officers will be imposed consistent with
the Civil Service Commission regulations, New Jersey State statutes
and the Rules and Regulations of the Maple Shade Township Police Department. Employees may be subject to discipline for violating laws,
statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations and written directives.
Local disciplinary hearings shall be conducted by the Township Manager
or their designee. Pursuant to Civil Service regulations, the imposition
of major discipline may be appealed to the Commission.
[Adopted 5-9-2019 by Ord.
No. 2019-06]
The Township of Maple Shade authorizes the use of special law enforcement officers to assist the regular police department in the performance of its duties and responsibilities subject to the eligibility criteria and limitations set forth in the Special Law Enforcement Officers Act, N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.10 et seq., and further subject to the Maple Shade Police Department Rules and Regulations incorporated herein by reference pursuant to §
36-2. No special law enforcement officers shall be appointed
to any term exceeding one year.
A. "Special law enforcement officer (SLEO)" shall mean any person appointed
annually by the Township Manager pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8
et seq., to temporarily or intermittently perform duties similar to
those performed regularly by members of a municipal police department,
or to provide assistance to a police department during unusual or
emergency circumstances, and to provide security in a school system
within Maple Shade. Nothing herein shall be construed to require reappointment
at the expiration of the term.
[Amended 6-24-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-05]
B. No special law enforcement officer, by virtue of his/her appointment
as such, shall be or become a regular member of the Police Department.
C. Special law enforcement officers are considered at-will part-time
employees and can be terminated 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 (N.J.S.A.
40A:14-146.14).
D. The number of SLEO Class II officers employed by the Maple Shade
Police Department shall not exceed 25% of the total number of regular
police officers pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.17.
[Amended 6-24-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-05]
E. Every special law enforcement officer, while on duty, shall abide
by the Police Department Rules and Regulations and those policies,
general order or standard operating procedures established by the
Chief of Police.
[Amended 6-24-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-05]
The Township Manager shall make appointments upon recommendation
by the Chief of Police or his/her designee. The Chief of Police or
his/her designee shall certify the eligibility and qualifications
of all applicants, in writing, to the Township Manager prior to appointment.