[Adopted 5-14-1969 by Ord. No. 608 (Ch. 17 of the 1969 Code)]
[Amended 12-27-1971 by Ord. No. 691; 5-27-2003 by Ord. No. 03-21; 4-26-2011 by Ord. No. 11-13]
The Police Department of the Borough of Paramus is established pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118. The Paramus Police Department shall hereafter be called the "Department." The Police Department shall also maintain supervisory control, through the Chief of Police or other officer designated by the Chief of Police, over the Paramus Ambulance Corps, which was established and organized under Chapter 9 of the Code of the Borough of Paramus titled "Ambulance Corps" and the Office of Emergency Management.
[Amended 12-27-1971 by Ord. No. 691; 2-27-1975 by Ord. No. 75-4; 5-11-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-17]
The Chairman of the Police Committee of the Borough Council shall, during his or her continuance as such Chairman, be the Police Commissioner and serve as the designated Appropriate Authority consistent with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118.
[Amended 5-11-2004 by Ord. No. 04-8; by Ord. No. 04-15; 12-13-2006 by Ord. No. 06-30; 6-10-2014 by Ord. No. 14-14;[1] 9-10-2019 by Ord. No. 19-24; 10-10-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-47]
The Paramus Police Force shall consist of the following personnel:
A. 
Not more than one Chief of Police.
B. 
Not more than one Deputy Chief of Police.
C. 
Not more than four Captains.
D. 
Not more than nine Patrol Lieutenants.
E. 
Not more than six Detective Lieutenants.
F. 
Not more than 14 Sergeants.
G. 
Not more than one Traffic Sergeant.
H. 
Not more than eight Detective Sergeants.
I. 
Not more than 16 Detectives.
J. 
Not more than six traffic officers.
K. 
Not more than 60 patrol officers.
[1]
Editor's Note: Ordinance No. 2017-12 transferred the position of Park Ranger from the Shade Tree and Parks Commission to the Paramus Police Department.
[Added 3-13-2001 by Ord. No. 01-3; amended 5-11-2004 by Ord. No. 04-8; by Ord. No. 04-15]
There shall be a review of the Paramus Police Force Table of Organization, at least every two years, by the Chief of Police, Police Committee and Borough Attorney to insure that it meets the needs of the Borough, it residents, businesses and visitors and is in compliance with all relevant statutes and judicial decisions. Failure to conduct such a review shall not render this section invalid.
[Amended 12-27-1971 by Ord. No. 691; 2-27-1975 by Ord. No. 75-4]
The Chief of Police shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council, and all other officers, patrolmen and emergency officers of the uniformed force and other personnel shall be appointed by the Mayor and Council.
No person shall be appointed a member of the Police Department unless he possesses the requisite qualifications prescribed by the applicable statutes of New Jersey relating to age, residence and other qualifications and eligibility requirements.
[Added 4-23-2013 by Ord. No. 13-6; amended 9-14-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-32]
A. 
The Borough of Paramus governing body desires to promote the most qualified candidates to the ranks of Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant, Detective Lieutenant, Detective Sergeant, Detective, and Traffic Officer. If, in the future, new positions are added to the table of organization which result in an officer's promotion, the rules set hereto in would govern such promotions.
B. 
The appointment, promotion and assignment of personnel shall be made on the basis of qualifications of those items listed below and without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or personal, familial, or political affiliation. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-129, promotion of any officer shall be made from membership of the Paramus Police Department.
C. 
The officers eligible for any promotion position will presently hold or have held in the past the rank directly preceding the rank of promotion. In the event there are no officers within the preceding rank, then the officers at the next lower rank shall be eligible for promotion, therefore skipping a rank, subject to the minimum year requirements, set forth in Subsection D.
D. 
Candidates being considered for the promotional rank of Sergeant must have a minimum of six years' experience as a sworn officer with the Paramus Police Department. Candidates being considered for promotion to Lieutenant must have attained the rank of Sergeant with prior supervisory duties and have attained a minimum of 10 total years of experience with the Paramus Police Department. Candidates considered to be eligible to be Captain must have attained the rank of Lieutenant with prior supervisory and administrative duties and have attained a minimum of 15 total years of experience with the Paramus Police Department.
E. 
The Department will conspicuously post and will notice of all promotional opportunities for at least 30 days prior to filling any vacancy. The names of the officers who apply for the position will be conspicuously posted at Police Headquarters. At the conclusion of the posting period, a complete list of officers who have submitted will be forwarded to the Borough Administrator's office.
F. 
The Chief of Police shall consider the following criteria during the promotional review:
(1) 
Seniority;
(2) 
Time in grade;
(3) 
Commendations, awards;
(4) 
Disciplinary history;
(5) 
Confidence in ability to supervise and lead subordinates;
(6) 
Decisionmaking ability;
(7) 
Work experience. To include: proficiency and knowledge of the job, performing the day-to-day duties, department rules, regulations and Attorney General guidelines;
(8) 
Communication skills;
(9) 
Education, training, and skills; and
(10) 
Participation within the organization.
G. 
The Chief of Police shall give due consideration to the list of factors in its totality. Seniority shall be provided the greatest deference with all other criteria weighed equally. Other than seniority and time in grade, the Chief of Police is to assign one of the following ratings: excellent, very good, average, below average, and poor. If any criteria not listed above are used during the promotional review, the Chief of Police shall articulate the specific criteria utilized and its relevancy.
H. 
The Borough of Paramus Mayor and Council shall be responsible for the promotion of all police personnel after receiving the recommendation of the Chief of Police. The Mayor and Council shall retain the right to determine if and when promotions shall be made by the Chief of Police and accepted by the Paramus Mayor and Council; promotions shall be made permanent and with all due speed.
I. 
A candidate evaluation form must be completed for each candidate. The Mayor and Council shall have the right to review the candidate evaluation forms for each candidate prior to taking any action on promotions. Upon final completion of the promotion process, copies of all candidates' evaluation forms will be stored with the office of the Chief of Police.
[Added 4-23-2013 by Ord. No. 13-6]
A. 
Once the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Paramus have certified by resolution that the position of any superior officer rank is vacant and until a superior officer rank is promoted pursuant to § 103-5.1, above, the Mayor and Council may designate an officer who is qualified to perform the functions and duties of any superior officer rank in an acting capacity from the list of eligibles, whether the list is active or expired.
B. 
It is explicitly understood that no office or position of any kind is created by an "acting capacity" designation. Such designation shall also not be considered an appointment to a position, nor constitute a promotion. Such designation shall not entitle the officer to any additional compensation or other emoluments of office unless specifically provided for in a collective negotiations agreement. The officer fulfilling such assignment is not and is not intended to constitute the holding of a de facto office or position within the meaning of N.J.S.A. 40A:9-6 or any other law. The officer designated in an acting capacity shall continue to fulfill the assignment at the pleasure of the Mayor and Council.
[Amended 12-27-1971 by Ord. No. 691; 2-27-1975 by Ord. No. 75-4]
The Chairman of the Police Committee as Police Commissioner, along with the Police Committee and Administrative Assistant, shall:
A. 
Subject to the ordinances of the Borough and instructions of the Mayor and Council, have charge of the conduct and operation of the Police Department.
B. 
Be responsible for the conduct and discipline of the members of the Department and for the due and proper enforcement of the laws of this state and of the ordinances of the Borough.
C. 
Make reports with respect to the conduct and operation of the Department at the regular meetings of the Council.
D. 
Make rules and regulations governing application for membership in the Department and for the regulation and government of the officers and members of the Department. Said rules and regulations shall be approved by the Mayor and Council and notice thereof given to each of the officers and members of the Department.
E. 
Obey and enforce such rules and regulations.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Sec. 17-7, entitled "Appointment of emergency officers," which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 12-27-1971 by Ord. No. 691.
[Amended 8-26-2008 by Ord. No. 08-31]
A. 
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
APPOINTING AUTHORITY
The Mayor and Council.
COMMISSION
The Police Training Commission established in the Department of Law and Public Safety.
SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Any person appointed pursuant to this act to temporarily or intermittently perform duties similar to those performed regularly by members of a police force of a local unit, or to provide assistance to a police force during unusual or emergency circumstances, or at individual times.
B. 
Qualifications: No person may be appointed as a special law enforcement officer unless the person meets the following qualifications:
(1) 
Is able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently and has a high school diploma or its equivalent.
(2) 
Is sound in body and of good health.
(3) 
Is of good moral character.
(4) 
Has not been convicted of any offense involving dishonesty or which would make the person unfit to perform the duties of the office.
(5) 
Has successfully undergone the same psychological testing that is required of all full-time police officers in the municipality.
(6) 
Every applicant for the position of special law enforcement officer shall have fingerprints taken, which fingerprints shall be filed with the Division of State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(7) 
No person shall be appointed nor serve as a special law enforcement officer in the Borough if that person is a special law enforcement officer or police officer in any other municipality. No Borough official with responsibility for setting law enforcement policy or exercising authority over the budget of the local unit or supervision of the police department of a local unit shall be appointed as a special law enforcement officer.
(8) 
No person shall be appointed as a special law enforcement officer unless and until the Chief of Police shall ascertain the eligibility and qualifications of the applicant and report these determinations in writing to the appointing authority.
(9) 
Any person who at any time prior to his appointment had served as a duly qualified, fully trained, full-time officer in any municipality of this state and who was separated from that prior service in good standing shall be eligible to serve as a special law enforcement officer consistent with guidelines promulgated by the Commission.
C. 
Permitted class of special law enforcement officers: Special law enforcement officers within the Borough shall only consist of Class I Special Law Enforcement Officers as defined by the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.11. Officers of this class shall be authorized to perform routine traffic detail, spectator control and similar duties. Said special law enforcement officers shall also 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. The use of a firearm by an officer of this class shall be strictly prohibited and no Class I officer shall be assigned any duties which may require the carrying or use of a firearm.
D. 
Uniforms: Every special law enforcement officer prior to the commencement of his duties shall be furnished with a uniform which shall identify the officer's function. The uniform shall include, but not be limited to, a hat and appropriate badges which shall bear an identification number or name tag and the name of the local unit in which the officer is employed. The uniform shall also include an insignia issued by the Commission which clearly indicates the officer's status as a special law enforcement officer and that the officer is a Class I special law enforcement officer.
E. 
Fees: Special law enforcement officers shall be required to reimburse the Borough for fees incurred for equipment and uniforms. The Borough will be responsible for the costs of training, however, no special law enforcement officer shall be compensated for time spent in training.
F. 
Term of appointment: Special law enforcement officers shall be appointed for terms of one year. Nothing herein shall be construed to require reappointment upon the expiration of the term. The special law enforcement officers so appointed shall not be members of the police force of the local unit, and their powers and duties as determined pursuant to this act shall cease at the expiration of the term for which appointed.
G. 
Duties and conduct: A special law enforcement officer shall be under the supervision and direction of the Chief of Police and shall perform his duties only in the local unit except as otherwise provided by law. A special law enforcement officer shall comply with the rules and regulations applicable to the conduct and decorum of the permanent, regularly appointed police officers of the Borough, as well as any rules and regulations applicable to the conduct and decorum of special law enforcement officers.
H. 
Hours of employment: Except in the event of an emergency, no special law enforcement officer shall be employed for more than 20 hours in any week.
All officers and patrolmen of the Police Department shall comply with the rules and regulations adopted for the government of the Department and with the orders of their superior officers not inconsistent therewith. All emergency officers and special policemen shall also comply with the rules and regulations.
[Amended 11-24-1992 by Ord. No. 92-23]
Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-132, the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-132 relating to the hours of employment of uniformed members of any paid police department are adopted and declared operative in the Borough.
[Amended 11-24-1992 by Ord. No. 92-23]
A. 
No member of the Police Department, except officers or men temporarily employed in cases of emergencies or as special policemen, shall be removed from office or employment for political reasons or for any other cause than incapacity, misconduct or disobedience of rules and regulations established for the government of the Police Department.
B. 
No member of the Police Department shall be suspended, removed, fined or reduced from office or employment except for just cause as set forth in Subsection A of this section, and then only after a written charge or charges of the cause of complaint shall have been preferred against him and the opportunity of fair and impartial trial upon said charge or charges afforded him in accordance with the provisions of the New Jersey statutes.
[Amended 12-27-1971 by Ord. No. 691; 2-27-1975 by Ord. No. 75-4; 12-27-1994 by Ord. No. 94-27]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118, the Police Committee is designated as the appropriate authority. The appropriate authority shall possess the right to appoint an independent hearing officer to hear disciplinary charges filed pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147. The party filing the complaint shall designate a hearing date which shall be not less than 10 nor more than 30 days from the date of service of the complaint. If either party requests an adjournment, the statutory time period for holding a hearing is hereby waived. The charged party shall notify the Police Department, in writing, if the charged party requests a public hearing on the disciplinary matter.
[Amended 12-23-1976 by Ord. No. 76-21; 2-22-1979 by Ord. No. 79-4; 10-13-1987 by Ord. No. 87-34; 3-12-1991 by Ord. No. 91-8]
The following charges for services rendered by the Police Department of the Borough of Paramus are hereby established, fixed and amended as follows:
A. 
Fingerprint sets.
(1) 
Each individual set of fingerprints, consisting of from one to three cards, taken for the benefit of other than law enforcement or governmental agencies: $10 per set.
(2) 
Provided, however, that in the event that any one order requests the fingerprinting of more than 10 individual sets at any one sitting: $0.50 per set in excess of 10.
B. 
Letters attesting to length of residence, character, criminal record checks and the like: $2 per copy.
C. 
Each eight-inch-by-ten-inch enlargement of a police photograph: $10.
D. 
Identification cards.
(1) 
Each passport-size (or smaller) identification card: $1.
(2) 
Each wallet-size identification card: $1.
(3) 
Each wallet-size identification card, accompanied with photograph and identified data: $2.
(4) 
Each wallet-size identification card, accompanied with photograph and identifying data, if laminated: $3.
E. 
Signs (handicap parking with legend, "Parking without permission of owner" and other signs such as "no dumping") can be purchased from the Borough at a cost of $3.25 per square foot of sign.
F. 
Photocopying police reports:
[Amended 2-23-1993 by Ord. No. 93-6]
(1) 
In person:
Editor's Note: See Open Public Records Act for fees for copies.
Number of Pages
Fee per Page
1 to 10
$0.50
11 to 20
$0.25
Over 20
$0.10
(2) 
Other than in person, the following administrative fees will be added:
(a) 
First three pages: $5.
(b) 
All pages over three: $1 per page.
[Added 4-25-2000 by Ord. No. 00-13; amended 8-6-2014 by Ord. No. 14-22; 11-12-2014 by Ord. No. 14-25; 5-19-2015 by Ord. No. 15-17; 12-20-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-30]
A. 
Borough of Paramus police personnel shall be employed by private employers only in the capacity of a police officer and only during off-duty hours, at such times as will not interfere with the efficient performance of regularly scheduled and/or emergency duty for the Borough, generally within the boundaries of the Borough of Paramus. Such availability of the Borough police personnel will be subject to Borough needs which might require the withdrawal of such officers at any time.
B. 
Any employer wishing to employ off-duty police must make such a request to the Police Department and obtain the approval of the Chief of Police or his designee, which approval shall be granted, if in the opinion of the Chief or his designee, such employment will not be inconsistent with the efficient functioning and good reputation of the Police Department and would not unreasonably endanger or threaten the safety of the officers who are to perform the work.
C. 
An agreement shall be signed by the private employer as to such employment and filed with the Borough of Paramus Police Department and Borough Clerk.
D. 
Charges. The charges to private employers for the extraneous employment of off-duty members of the Borough of Paramus police personnel shall be as set forth below for the years indicated:
(1) 
The rate of salary for police services for all police officers shall be 1 1/2 times the regular hourly pay of the current schedule for a top patrolman (rounded). The only exception to this salary guide is when multiple officers are required and supervisors are hired and their sole purpose is supervision. The salary then for rank above patrolman will be 1 1/2 times the regular hourly pay of the current salary of the supervisor performing the duty (rounded).
(a) 
2023: The sum of $138 shall represent the following: $112 per hour for police personnel, as well as an administrative/equipment/vehicle rate of $26 per hour. Said sum shall be paid in accordance with this section.
(b) 
2024: The sum of $142 shall represent the following: $115 per hour for police personnel, as well as an administrative/equipment/vehicle rate of $27 per hour. Said sum shall be paid in accordance with this section.
(c) 
2025: The sum of $145 shall represent the following: $117 per hour for police personnel, as well as an administrative/equipment/vehicle rate of $28 per hour. Said sum shall be paid in accordance with this section.
(d) 
2026: The sum of $148 shall represent the following: $119 per hour for police personnel, as well as an administrative/equipment/vehicle rate of $29 per hour. Said sum shall be paid in accordance with this section.
(e) 
2027: The sum of $152 shall represent the following: $122 per hour for police personnel, as well as an administrative/equipment/vehicle rate of $30 per hour. Said sum shall be paid in accordance with this section.
(2) 
The Borough of Paramus municipal service rate shall be the regular hourly pay of the current schedule for a top patrolman (rounded). The only exception to this salary guide is when multiple officers are required and supervisors are hired and their sole purpose is supervision. The salary then for rank above patrolman will be regular hourly pay of the current salary of the supervisor performing the duty (rounded).
(a) 
2023: The sum of $75 the fee for police personnel and not be subject to the administrative rate as set forth in this section.
(b) 
2024: The sum of $76 the fee for police personnel and not be subject to the administrative rate as set forth in this section.
(c) 
2025: The sum of $78 the fee for police personnel and not be subject to the administrative rate as set forth in this section.
(d) 
2026: The sum of $79 the fee for police personnel and not be subject to the administrative rate as set forth in this section.
(e) 
2027: The sum of $81 the fee for police personnel and not be subject to the administrative rate as set forth in this section.
(3) 
All employers shall provide the Borough with an insurance certificate naming the Borough as an additional insured in the limits periodically established by the Borough's Insurance Administrator.
(4) 
Prior to the performance of police services by the Paramus law enforcement officer, the person or entity requesting such services shall agree, in writing, to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Borough of Paramus, its officers, officials, agents and employees from any and all liability, claims, losses, suits, actions, demands, damages, costs and attorneys' fees that may arise as a result of activities or actions of such officers which arise from the police officers' employment. A certificate of insurance is required to be submitted to the Borough naming the Borough additionally insured.
(5) 
General police services.
(a) 
The Borough shall, upon request, provide police services to any person conducting business within the municipality, the cost to be borne by the business requesting the police service. The police officer shall be paid by the Borough and the Borough reimbursed by the business. The police service shall be limited to service where the good and welfare and safety of the general public is involved. The Chief of Police or his designee shall be the sole deciding factor on whether or not the request for services meets these standards.
(b) 
The rate of pay for police services for all police officers shall be 1 1/2 times the regular hourly pay of the current schedule for a top patrolman (rounded). The only exception to this salary guide is when multiple officers are required and supervisors are hired and their sole purpose is supervision. The salary then for rank above patrolman will be 1 1/2 times the regular hourly pay of the current salary of the supervisor performing the duty (rounded).
(c) 
The Borough shall have the right to cease services to any business which fails to reimburse the Borough within 30 days after receipt of an invoice for service previously rendered.
E. 
The Borough Chief of Police shall initiate and forward to the Chief Financial Officer an identification of the hours worked by and earnings due to appropriate police personnel using a form established by the Borough Chief Financial Officer or designee.
F. 
An invoice from the Borough of Paramus for any charge for such police personnel as set forth herein shall be issued by the Borough's Chief Financial Officer. Such payments due from private employers shall be paid within 10 calendar days of receipt of the invoice and sent to:
Borough of Paramus
Chief Financial Officer
One Jockish Square West
Paramus, New Jersey 07652
G. 
Such payment shall be deposited in a trust account entitled "Police, Extraneous Employment." The Borough shall remit to the member of the Borough Police Department performing such extraneous off-duty service the established amount on the next normal biweekly pay cycle following receipt of such payment. The balance shall be retained by the Borough for administrative and equipment expenses, where applicable.
[Added 11-9-2004 by Ord. No. 04-23]
A. 
All requests for discovery in matters pending in the Paramus Municipal Court shall be submitted through the Municipal Prosecutor.
B. 
The following fees shall be payable by the requestor to the Borough of Paramus for the discovery provided:
(1) 
Seventy-five cents per page for each of the first 10 pages photocopied.
(2) 
Fifty cents per page for each of the next 10 pages photocopied.
(3) 
Twenty-five cents per page for each of the pages photocopied thereafter.
(4) 
Actual postage for any discovery sent by mail.
(5) 
Twenty-five cents for the envelope for any discovery sent by mail.
(6) 
Photographs will be photocopied at the rates established herein. If requests are made for duplicate photographs, the actual cost of making the photographs shall be charged.
(7) 
Duplication of videotapes constitute an extraordinary duplication process and will be charged at the rate of $5 per videotape.
(8) 
On any item that cannot be photocopied on the Township copy machine or not otherwise provided for in this schedule, the actual cost incurred in making the copy shall be charged.
Editor's Note: See Open Public Records Act for fees for copies.
C. 
Where the discovery must be obtained from an entity other than the Borough Of Paramus, e.g., another police department, the actual costs paid to the other entity shall be paid by the requestor.