[Ord. No. 2954-16]
The Police Department of the Township of Lyndhurst is established pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118 and shall after this be called the "Lyndhurst Township Police Department."
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118, the Commissioner of Public Safety is hereby designated as the "appropriate authority."
The Police Department is established by authority of subsection 2-9.1, of the Township of Lyndhurst Revised General Ordinances, entitled, "Police Department Established."
The Rules and Regulations are adopted pursuant to the Township of Lyndhurst Revised General Ordinances, subsection 2-9.14, Adoption of Police Manual, for the government, discipline, administration and operation of the Lyndhurst Township Police Department.
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118, the right is reserved by the Appropriate Authority to amend or to revoke any of the rules and regulations contained herein.
All rules and regulations previously issued, and policies and procedures that are contrary to the rules and regulations contained herein, are hereby revoked to the extent of any inconsistency. All other policies and procedures shall remain in force.
Each chapter, section and subsection shall be designated by title and Arabic numeral. All numbering breakdowns shall be arranged according to a decimal sequence.
The number preceding the colon shall enumerate the chapter, while the number placed immediately to the right of the colon shall indicate the section.
The number placed to the right of the decimal point, shall designate the subsection.
Letters listed in series under sections and subsections shall be enclosed within parentheses.
This system shall provide a simple and quick method of referral to material in this manual. This format has been designed to make specific reference to particular sections or subsections possible and to facilitate expansion and revision of the contents.
These rules and regulations are applicable to all sworn employees of the Lyndhurst Township Police Department and where appropriate, to all civilian employees of the department.
One copy of these rules and regulations shall be distributed to each employee of the department.
It is the continuing responsibility of each employee to maintain a current copy of the rules and regulations, including all additions, revisions and amendments as issued.
Employees shall thoroughly familiarize themselves with the provisions of the rules and regulations. Ignorance of any provision of these rules and regulations will not be a defense to a charge of a violation of these rules and regulations. It is the continuing responsibility of each employee to seek clarification through the chain of command for any rule and regulation which is not fully understood.
Serving temporarily in a position to which the member is not ordinarily assigned, usually in a position of higher rank. All the authority, responsibilities and duties of the officer in the higher position devolve upon the acting member.
Vacation period granted to all employees annually in accordance with The Township of Lyndhurst Ordinances, current collective bargaining agreement, the Employee Manual of the Township of Lyndhurst or other employment agreements.
The Public Safety Commissioner of the Township of Lyndhurst as defined and designated by authority of the Township Code of Lyndhurst pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:A14-118(e).
The right to issue orders, give commands, enforce obedience, initiate action and make necessary decisions commensurate with rank or assignment as provided for in the department rules and regulations, policies and procedures. Authority may be delegated by those so designated. Acts performed without proper authority or authorization shall be considered to be in violation of the rules and regulations.
A unit immediately subordinate to a Division.
Captain of Police of the Lyndhurst Police Department.
Vertical lines of communication, authority and responsibility within the organizational structure of the department. The unbroken line of authority extending from the Chief of Police through a single subordinate at each level of command down to the level of execution and vice versa.
[Ord. No. 2954-16 § 2]
Chief of Police of the Lyndhurst Police Department.
The Township of Lyndhurst Commissioner of Public Safety shall appoint a Chief of Police who have all the powers set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118 and who shall be directly responsible to the Commissioner of Public Safety for the efficiency and routine day-to-day operations of the Lyndhurst Police Department. The Chief of Police shall, pursuant to policies established by the Commissioner of Public Safety:
a. 
Administer and enforce rules and regulations and special emergency directives for the disposition and discipline of the force and its officers and personnel.
b. 
Have, exercise and discharge the functions, powers and duties to force.
c. 
Prescribe the duties and assignments of all subordinates and other personnel.
d. 
Delegate authority as the Chief may deem necessary for the efficient operation of the force to be exercised under the Chief's direction and supervision.
e. 
Report at least monthly to the Commissioner of Public Safety in such form as shall be prescribed by the Commissioner of Public Safety on the operation of the force during the preceding month, and make such other reports as may be requested by the Commissioner of Public Safety.
Any officer appointed to the rank of Captain or higher.
Those days determined by the Chief of Police, or designee, on which a given employee is excused from Duty.
The Township of Lyndhurst, Department of Police.
A temporary assignment of personnel for a specialized activity.
A police officer promoted to conduct criminal investigations while in uniform or in civilian clothing. All employees promoted to the position of Detective must have served as a police officer for more than three years.
A document detailing the performance of a specific activity or method of operation.
A functional unit having jurisdiction-wide coverage whose commanding officer reports directly to the Chief of Police or designee, as designated by the department's rank structure.
All employees of the department, whether sworn regular, special police officers or civilian employees.
Use of the masculine gender herein shall also include the female gender, when applicable.
Includes those attributes of an employee that enhance their value to the organization and to public service that include honesty, integrity, truthfulness, obedience to the oath of office, mission of the organization and code of ethics, respect for authority, and respect for the rights of others.
The building that house the civilian and sworn employees of this department.
Incapable of satisfactory performance of duties for non-medical reasons.
Failure or deliberate refusal of any employee to obey a lawful order given by a supervisor. Ridiculing a supervisor or their order, whether in or out of their presence. Disrespectful, mutinous, insolent, or abusive language directed toward a supervisor.
Any written or oral directive issued by a supervisor to any subordinate or group of subordinates in the course of police duty which is not in violation of any law, ordinance or any rule and regulation.
The period of time during which an employee is excused from active duty and during which time no pay is received as approved by the governing body or pursuant to Township Policy, or State and Federal Law.
Lieutenant of Police of the Lyndhurst Police Department.
As used herein words may shall mean that the action indicated is permitted.
Any duly appointed police officer of the Department.
The period of time during which an employee is excused from duty by reason of serving the armed forces of the United States in an active capacity as provided by law.
Failure to give suitable attention to the performance to duty. Examples include, but are not limited to: failure to take appropriate action on the occasion of a crime, disorder, or other act or condition deserving police attention; absence without leave; failure to report to duty at the time and place designated; unexcused absence from their assignment; failure to conform to the department operating procedures. Neglect also connotes a deviation from normal standards of conduct.
The status of an employee during the period when they are free from the performance of specified duties.
Ranking member of the department on duty. Rank is determined by grade first and by seniority second. Any member up to and including the rank of Captain in charge of a shift, detail, etc.
Through the chain of command.
The status of a member during the period of day when actively engaged in the performance of duty. A police officer is subject to call at all times.
Any written or oral directive issued by a supervisor to any subordinate or group of subordinates in the course of duty.
A functional unit subordinate under the immediate direction of the Chief of Police. It may be commanded by any rank, depending on its size and the nature and importance of its function.
The singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular.
A sworn employee of the Police Department below the rank of Sergeant.
Any member of the Police Department serving a satisfactory police apprenticeship prior to permanent appointment to police officer, as pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:17B-66 et seq. and Lyndhurst Township Revised Ordinances subsection 2-9.4.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:17B-66 et seq. and as defined in Lyndhurst Township Revised General Ordinances subsection 2-9.4, all new members of the Police Department or all newly promoted police officers are required to serve a one year probationary period before receiving permanent appointment.
A member in any given rank with the longer service in that rank. Seniority in the department is established first by the hiring date. Where conflict occurs because of identical hiring dates, or identical service or dates of appointment, the member with the lowest badge number will be the first appointed and deemed to be the senior. In situations requiring decision or control where the officers are of equal rank, the first appointment made to the rank will make the decision and exercise control unless otherwise directed by a higher ranking officer.
Sergeant of Police of the Lyndhurst Police Department.
The words shall and will, as used herein, shall indicate that the action required is mandatory.
Any assigned tour of duty pursuant to existing collective bargaining agreements.
The supervisory officer on a shift.
A recommended course of action or conduct; advice; an obligation as well as an expectation. Personnel must be able to justify a deviation.
The period of time during which an employee is excused from active duty by reason of illness or injury by the Commanding Officer or Officer in Charge in absence of the Commanding Officer.
Police service, the nature of which requires that the member be reassigned from the performance of regular duties to perform other duties, as required from time to time by the Chief of Police.
An advisory relationship, outside the regular hierarchy of command and responsibility, in which a supervisor may review the work of another employee who is responsible to another superior officer.
A member lower in rank than his superior officer.
A person holding a rank of Sergeant or above.
Member of the department assigned to a position requiring exercise of immediate supervision over the activities of members and employees.
Suspension is the act of temporarily denying an employee the privilege of performing their duties, and relieving them from the duty with or without pay for a period of time, in consequence of alleged dereliction or violation of any law, ordinance or any rule and regulation.
The words used in the present tense include the future.
The shift during which an individual member is on duty.
Township of Lyndhurst, New Jersey.
Any number of members and/or employees of the department regularly grouped together under one head to accomplish a law enforcement task.
A geographical area administratively designated for purposes of investigation, supervision or patrol.
All personnel shall read and abide by the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.
AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEE, my fundamental duty is to serve the community; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the constitutional rights of all to liberty, equality and justice.
I WILL keep my private life unsullied as an example to all and will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to me or to my agency. I will maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed both in my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the law and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.
I WILL never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, political beliefs, aspirations, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.
I RECOGNIZE the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of police service. I will never engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor will I condone such acts by other police officers. I will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and their representatives in the pursuit of justice. I know that I alone am responsible for my own standard of professional performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve my level of knowledge and competence. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession. . .LAW ENFORCEMENT.
Our mission is to work harmoniously with all the citizens to create and augment a work environment, mutual respect, trust and dignity. We will protect the lives, property and rights of all people, proactively address the social issues that create the opportunity of crime and to be sensitive to the needs of the community. With unwavering faith and honor, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to the safety and posterity of our community.
The Lyndhurst Police Department will be guided by our core values in pursuit of our mission. Our core values are:
LEADERSHIP — We will ensure that our members are dedicated, highly trained and capable of handling the daily demands of the law enforcement profession. We promote a collaborative environment for sharing information, resources, assistance and expertise.
YES WE CAN — We believe in a "Yes We Can" attitude. We will exercise physical courage by reacting appropriately to threats even when faced with physical risk. We will demonstrate moral courage by doing the right thing even if it's not popular with others.
NOBLE — We are proud of the reputation our department has built over the years and are committed to continuing this through diligence and hard work.
DEDICATION — We are dedicated to ourselves, our department, and to the community and citizens that we serve. We will treat all persons in a dignified and courteous manner, and exhibit understanding of ethnic and cultural diversity, in both our professional and personal endeavors.
HONOR — We are committed to the highest ideals of honor and integrity to maintain the respect and confidence of government officials, subordinates, the public and fellow police officers.
UNIFIED EFFORTS — We believe in a partnership of support between the police and the community that we serve. We will continue to strengthen that support by developing new outreach programs and expand existing ones.
RESPECT — We will treat all persons in a dignified and courteous manner, and exhibit understanding of ethnic and cultural diversity, in both our professional and personal endeavors. We guarantee to uphold the principles and values embodied in the constitutions of the United States and the State of New Jersey.
SERVICE — We provide service in a courteous, efficient, and accessible manner. We foster community and employee involvement through problem-solving partnerships. Recognizing and responding with sincerity to those in need of our services.
TRUST — We have committed ourselves to elevated standards of trust, responsibility and discipline while promoting justice in a fair and impartial manner. We will earn the trust, and support of the citizens through active partnership, involvement and service to the community we serve.