[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.[1] 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.
[1]
Editor's Note: A copy of the Maple Shade Police Department Rules and Regulations is included as an attachment to this chapter.
A. 
No person shall be appointed as a special law enforcement officer unless the person meets the criteria of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.10, including but not limited to the provision that the person:
(1) 
Is legally permitted to work in the United States.
(2) 
Is a resident of the State of New Jersey during the term of appointment.
(3) 
Is at least 18 years of age.
(4) 
Shall possess and maintain a valid New Jersey driver's license.
(5) 
Shall be able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently and have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
(6) 
Shall be sound in body and of good health and be able to perform the physical functions of the duties assigned.
(7) 
Shall be of good moral character and shall not have been convicted of any crime or offense involving moral turpitude (dishonesty) or a crime or offense that would render him/her unfit for duty.
(8) 
Shall successfully undergo the same psychological testing that is required of full-time police officers.
B. 
Additionally, SLEO III personnel:
(1) 
Must be retired law enforcement officers who are less than 65 years of age. For the purposes of this subsection, a law enforcement officer shall not be considered retired if the officer's return to employment violates any federal or state law or regulation, which would deem the officer's retirement as not being bona fide;
(2) 
Must have served as a duly qualified, fully trained, full-time officer in any municipality or county of this state or as a member of the New Jersey State Police and was separated from that prior service in good standing, within three years of appointment. "Good standing" means to exclude a retirement resulting from injury or incapacity.
(3) 
Must be physically capable of performing the functions of the position, determined in accordance with PTC guidelines.
(4) 
Must possess a valid New Jersey PTC basic police officer certification or New Jersey State Police Academy certification.
(5) 
Must be hired only in a part-time capacity.
A. 
SLEO Class I (SLEO I) are authorized to perform only certain duties of a regular full-time police officer. SLEO I duties shall include foot and bicycle patrol, community engagement and such other duties as specified by the Chief of Police.
[Added 6-24-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-05[1]]
(1) 
SLEO I shall not be assigned any duties which may require the carrying or use of a firearm.
(2) 
SLEO I duties shall include foot and bicycle patrol, community engagement and such other duties as specified by the Chief of Police.
(3) 
SLEO I are authorized to carry designated mechanical force weapons while on duty and must qualify and demonstrate proficiency with the same frequency as regular police officers.
(4) 
SLEO I are authorized to utilize handcuffs and other restraining devices consistent with this Department's policies upon demonstrating proficiency in the use of these devices.
(5) 
SLEO I shall have the power to issue summonses for disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons offenses, violations of municipal ordinances, and violations of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also redesignated former Subsections A and B as Subsections B and C, respectively.
B. 
SLEO Class II (SLEO II) are authorized to perform all duties of regular full-time police officers subject to the authorization of the Chief of Police.
(1) 
SLEO II are authorized to carry firearms and must qualify and demonstrate proficiency with the same frequency as regular police officers.
(2) 
SLEO II are authorized to carry designated mechanical and enhanced mechanical force weapons while on duty and must qualify and demonstrate proficiency with the same frequency as regular police officers.
(3) 
SLEO II are authorized to utilize handcuffs and other restraining devices consistent with this department's policies and only after demonstrating proficiency in the use of these devices.
(4) 
SLEO II have the power of arrest and the authority to issue summonses and uniform traffic tickets the same as regular full-time police officers. SLEO II can enforce crimes, disorderly person offenses, petty disorderly person offenses and Township ordinances.
C. 
SLEO Class III (SLEO III) are authorized to exercise full powers and duties similar to those of a permanent, regularly appointed full-time police officer while providing security at a public or nonpublic school premises while occupied by the public or nonpublic school students and/or its staff.
(1) 
SLEO III personnel are authorized to carry a handgun and must qualify and demonstrate proficiency with the handgun and any other authorized firearms with the same frequency as regular police officer but must first comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6 authorizing a retired law enforcement officer to carry a handgun.
(2) 
SLEO III are authorized to carry designated mechanical and enhanced mechanical force weapons while on duty and must qualify and demonstrate proficiency with the same frequency as regular police officers.
(3) 
SLEO III are authorized to utilize handcuffs and other restraining devices consistent with this department's policies and only after demonstrating proficiency in the use of these devices.
(4) 
SLEO III personnel are not eligible for health care benefits or enrollment in any state-administered retirement system.
(5) 
Specific SLEO III duties are contained within the Police Department Rules and Regulations.[2]
[2]
Editor’s Note: A copy of the Maple Shade Police Department Rules and Regulations is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[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.