There is hereby established within the Town of Secaucus, County of Hudson, a Department to be known as the "Police Department of the Town of Secaucus."
The purpose of the Police Department shall be to cause the public order to be preserved and to protect life, liberty and property within the limits of the Town of Secaucus by the enforcement of all laws and ordinances relating thereto.
[Amended 4-9-85 by Ord. No. 85-10; 8-22-06 by Ord. No. 2006-18; 2-9-10 by Ord. No. 2010-6; 3-13-12 by Ord. No. 2012-3; 9-24-13 by Ord. No. 2013-28; 3-23-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-9]
The Police Department of the Town of Secaucus shall consist of no more than:
A. 
One Chief of Police;
B. 
One Deputy Chief of Police;
C. 
Three Captains;
D. 
Ten Lieutenants;
E. 
Fourteen Sergeants; and
F. 
Fifty-five Police Officers.
The Chief of Police, Deputy Chief of Police, Captains, Lieutenants, Sergeants, and Police Officers shall be appointed to these positions by resolution of the Mayor and Council.
[Added 9-24-13 by Ord. No. 2013-28]
All necessary orders and directives for the management and regulation of the Police Department shall be given through the chain of command. The chain of command shall be as follows:
A. 
The Mayor and Council.
B. 
The Appropriate Authority.
C. 
The Chief of Police.
D. 
The Deputy Chief of Police.
E. 
The Captains.
F. 
The Lieutenants.
G. 
The Sergeants.
H. 
The Police Officers.
I. 
The Special Police Officers.
[Added 9-24-13 by Ord. No. 2013-28]
The Mayor and Council shall annually select a three-member committee, which shall serve as the Appropriate Authority as provided in the New Jersey Statutes. This committee shall also serve as the Appointing Authority as defined in N.J.A.C. 4A:1-1.3. The Appropriate Authority shall adopt and promulgate Rules and Regulations for the government of the Police Department and for the discipline of its members. Nothing in this section shall prevent the Chief of Police from proposing rules and regulations to the Appropriate Authority, which shall be considered by the Appropriate Authority, and the Appropriate Authority may approve or reject such proposals.
[Added 9-24-13 by Ord. No. 2013-28]
Each member of the Police Department shall be furnished with a copy of the Rules and Regulations adopted by the Appropriate Authority, which shall be binding upon the member, and any neglect or failure to carry out the same shall be grounds for imposition of penalties as provided in this chapter and in the Rules and Regulations. All Rules and Regulations currently in effect as of the date of this section shall remain in full force until amended or replaced by the Appropriate Authority.
[Amended 12-9-03 by Ord. No. 2003-26]
The members of the Police Department shall receive such salary as is designated in the annual Salary Ordinance[1] or such separate ordinance as is periodically ordained in accordance and in conformance with the labor agreements as may be in effect from time to time for the various ranks covered thereby.
[1]
Editor's Note: As specified in Chapter 32, Salaries and Compensation, a copy of the Salary Ordinance and subsequent amendments can be found on file in the office of the Town Clerk.
[Amended 9-24-13 by Ord. No. 2013-28]
The Chief of Police shall be the head of the Police Department and shall be directly responsible to the Appropriate Authority for its efficiency and day-to-day operations. Pursuant to policies established by the Appropriate Authority, the Chief of Police shall:
A. 
Administer and enforce the rules and regulations of the Police Department established by the Appropriate Authority and any special emergency directives 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 subordinates and other personnel;
D. 
Delegate such authority as may be deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the Police Department to be exercised under the Chief's direction and supervision; and
E. 
Report at least monthly to the Appropriate Authority in such form as shall be prescribed by such authority on the operation of the force during the preceding month, and make such other reports as may be requested by such authority.
[Added 8-22-06 by Ord. No. 2006-18; amended 2-9-10 by Ord. No. 2010-6; 3-13-12 by Ord. No. 2012-3; 9-24-13 by Ord. No. 2013-28]
The Deputy Chief, as the second in command of the Police Department, shall:
A. 
Rank next below the Chief of Police and assist the Chief to perform the duties of the Chief.
B. 
During the absence of the Chief of Police, assume the duties of the Chief of Police and, during such period, exercise the same powers, perform the same duties, and be subject to the same rules and regulations as the Chief of Police.
C. 
Have the supervision over all members of the Department, excepting the Chief of Police.
D. 
Make such personal inspection of the Town of Secaucus and the Police Department at such irregular and unusual hours as will be sufficient to be thoroughly informed of all the existing conditions and to determine whether all members of the Department are efficiently performing their duties.
E. 
Cause a daily record to be kept in Police headquarters of all the transactions of the Department.
F. 
Report to the Chief of Police, in writing, all complaints against subordinates in the Department made by citizens or other members of the Department.
G. 
Handle the scheduling of all Department personnel and provide such scheduling details to the Chief of Police.
H. 
Hold conferences with the superior officers and such other officers or clerks as deemed necessary and proper for the purpose of discussing efficiency and cooperation for the mutual help and better enforcement of the law and the prevention of crime and report the results of same to the Chief in writing.
I. 
Prepare, each September, a complete report for the Chief of Police as to the conduct and efficiency of all subordinate members of the Department. Said report shall include such recommendations pertaining to changes in the personnel of the command as may be deemed advisable to the best interests of the Department.
J. 
Be responsible for the conduct and efficiency of the members of the Police Department; for the condition and discipline of the members; for the care and proper use of all apparatus and equipment; and for the proper carrying out of the rules and regulations governing the Police Department.
K. 
Take the lead in establishing and maintaining helpful, cooperative relations with civic, recreation, and business organizations, school and court officers, recreation and other groups, police authorities in other jurisdictions, and other interests in maintenance of law and order.
L. 
Make provision for police assistance at the time and places where traffic is heavy.
M. 
Promptly and fully investigate all violations of the rules and regulations of the Department or any neglect of duty that might occur and shall make a prompt and full report thereon to the Chief of Police.
N. 
Report to the Chief of Police and reason rendering the Deputy Chief unable to perform duties of Deputy Chief.
O. 
Be responsible to the Appropriate Authority and comply with its Rules and Regulations issued under N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118, paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) thereof.
[Added 2-9-10 by Ord. No. 2010-6; repealed 3-13-12 by Ord. No. 2012-3]
[Amended 9-24-13 by Ord. No. 2013-28]
All police officers of every rank shall be responsible for the performance of all duties assigned to them, including but not limited to the protection of life and property, enforcement of criminal and traffic laws, prevention of crime, preservation of public peace and the apprehension and arrest of violators of the laws or ordinances of the Town of Secaucus. These responsibilities are to be carried out under the direction of officers of superior rank and as prescribed by the Rules and Regulations of the Department established by the Appropriate Authority.
[Added 9-24-13 by Ord. No. 2013-28]
All members of the Police Department shall dress in such uniforms and apparel as shall be prescribed by the Appropriate Authority in the Rules and Regulations. The members shall also be issued a badge and identification card and other supplies and equipment as may be required by the Town. The badge, identification card, and all other equipment shall be returned to the Town at the termination of the appointment. Failure to wear proper uniform, badge, or other required insignia shall result in discipline under the Rules and Regulations of the Department established by the Appropriate Authority.
[Amended 11-13-84 by Ord. No. 84-46; 4-24-90 by Ord. No. 90-11; 5-12-09 by Ord. No. 2009-6; 2-8-11 by Ord. No. 2011-2]
A. 
All applicants to the police force must:
[Amended 9-25-90 by Ord. No. 90-25; 4-27-93 by Ord. No. 93-21; 12-9-03 by Ord. No. 2003-26; 7-28-15 by Ord. No. 2015-33]
(1) 
Be able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently;
(2) 
Be a citizen of the United States and resident of the State of New Jersey, unless exempted from citizenship by law;
(3) 
Have distant visual acuity of 20/30 or better in each eye without corrective lenses, or visual acuity of 20/100 or better in each eye which has been separately corrected to 20/30 and have the ability to properly distinguish colors;
(4) 
Must be sound in body and mind, in good health, in sound physical condition and have no physical disorders, which shall be more particularly evaluated by the physician during the applicant's physical examination;
(5) 
Must be of good moral character, and never convicted of any crimes or other offenses involving moral turpitude;
(6) 
Be no less than 21 years of age at the time of entrance examination or over 35 years of age at the time of appointment, and meet the maximum age requirements to satisfy the Board of Trustees of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System of New Jersey that such person is eligible to membership in the retirement system;
(7) 
Possess a high school diploma or equivalent and earned not less than 60 credits from an accredited college or university; or, alternatively, the prospective applicant may substitute full-time service in the United States Military with each year of military service being the equivalent of 30 college credits; service in a Reserve Component or National Guard of the United States military shall be equivalent to 2.5 college credits for every month served on "active duty" status plus .25 college credits for every full day on "drill or annual training" status.
(8) 
Possess a valid driver's license with no more than four points in the three years previous to the date of application if a New Jersey license, or if the applicant holds a driver's license from a different state than New Jersey, have no more than what would be the equivalent of violations totaling four points in the State of New Jersey, during the three years previous to the date of application, and must have had no conviction for driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol within 10 years previous to the date of the application, or more than one such conviction at any time.
B. 
All applicants for appointment shall pay a $145 fee for the competitive testing to defray the administrative costs of such examinations.
[Amended 8-23-94 by Ord. No. 94-24; 11-7-01 by Ord. No. 2001-26; 2-8-11 by Ord. No. 2011-2; 2-27-18 by Ord. No. 2018-9]
[Added 5-12-09 by Ord. No. 2009-6; amended 2-8-11 by Ord. No. 2011-2; 2-27-18 by Ord. No. 2018-9]
A. 
All initial appointments to the position of police officer shall be made in accordance with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-123.1a.
B. 
Before any person shall be appointed as a member of the Secaucus Police Department, the Town shall classify all duly qualified applicants for the position or positions to be filled in the following classes:
I. 
Residents of the Town of Secaucus, New Jersey.
II. 
Other residents of the County of Hudson, New Jersey.
III. 
Other residents of the State of New Jersey.
IV. 
All other qualified applicants.
C. 
Within each classification, qualified applicants who meet the minimum scoring requirement who are veterans in accordance with the definitions set forth in N.J.S.A. 11A:5-1 shall have five additional points added to their total score and shall be ranked accordingly. Aside from the purpose of defining veteran and disabled veteran, it is not the intention of this Chapter to incorporate any other provisions of Chapter 11A, unless specifically referenced herein.
D. 
The classes of duly qualified applicants defined in this section shall be considered separate and successive lists. The Mayor and Council shall first appoint all those in Class I, and then those in each succeeding class in the order above listed. The Mayor and Council shall appoint a person or persons in any such class only to a vacancy or vacancies remaining after all qualified applicants in the preceding class or classes have been appointed or have declined an offer of appointment.
E. 
For classification in Class I as a resident of the Town of Secaucus, an applicant must reside within the Town of Secaucus as of the announced test application closing date for the position and maintain such residency continuously up to and including the date of appointment. Should an applicant in Class I discontinue their residency, said applicant will be subject to removal from that class of the eligibility list and shall be placed in the appropriate class in order of their respective scores.
F. 
Should an applicant in Class II or III discontinue their residency prior to or on the date of appointment, said applicant will be subject to removal from that class of the eligibility list and shall be placed in the appropriate class in order of their respective scores.