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Borough of Allentown, NJ
Monmouth County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[1975 Code § 30-1; Ord. No. 011-75; New; Ord. No. 07-2001 § 1; Ord. No. 02-2018]
There is hereby created a Police Department of the Borough of Allentown, which may consist of the following:
a. 
A Chief of Police.
b. 
As many Lieutenants as may be necessary, as shall be determined by resolution of the Borough Council.
c. 
As many Sergeants as may be necessary, as shall be determined by resolution of the Borough Council.
d. 
As many patrolmen as may be necessary, as shall be determined by resolution of the Borough Council.
e. 
As many matrons, school crossing guards, fire police and clerks as may be necessary, as shall be determined by resolution of the Borough Council.
f. 
As many Special Law Enforcement Officers as may be necessary, as shall be determined by resolution of the Borough Council and in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.10, 40A:14-146.17.
g. 
As many Corporals as may be necessary, as shall be determined by resolution of the Borough Council.
h. 
As many detectives as may be necessary, as shall be determined by resolution of the Borough Council.
[1975 Code § 30-2; Ord. No. 011-75]
All members of the Police Department shall be appointed by the Mayor on the advice and consent of the Borough Council.
[1975 Code § 30-3; Ord. No. 011-75; Ord. No. 5-94; New]
The Mayor and Council are hereby designated as the appropriate authority pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118.
The Police Department of the Borough shall be under the control of the Borough Council. The Chief of Police, or in the absence of the Chief of Police, the Public Safety Director, or his designee, shall report to the Mayor and Council. The Chairman of the Police Committee shall act as the liaison between the Chief of Police and the Mayor and Council. The Chief of Police shall report to the Borough Council in the following form: He shall prepare a monthly report to the Mayor and Council which shall be submitted to the Chairman of the Police Committee who shall forward the same to the Borough Council.
[1975 Code § 30-4; Ord. No. 011-75; New]
The Borough Council shall establish by resolution and may amend and repeal by resolution such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary for the government and efficient working of the entire Department. The rules and regulations, when adopted, shall be posted by the Police Chief, or in the absence of a Chief of Police, the Public Safety Director or his designee, within five days after the adoption thereof in a prominent place in the Police Department headquarters, and a copy thereof delivered to each and every member of the Department within five days after the adoption of the rules or regulations or any amendment or repeal thereof. Such rules and regulations shall, among other things, provide for the breakdown of functions of the Department into bureaus and specific powers and duties of officers and employees.
[1975 Code § 30-5; Ord. No. 011-75; New]
a. 
Each applicant shall comply with all of the laws of the State of New Jersey pertaining thereto.
b. 
No person shall be appointed as a policeman unless he is a citizen of the United States; is able to read, write and speak the English language; is physically and mentally qualified; is of good moral character; and has not been convicted of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude.
c. 
No person shall be given or accept a permanent appointment as a Police Officer in the Borough unless such person has first been given a probationary or temporary appointment to such office for a period of not less than one year after successfully completing a Police Training Commission required Basic Course for Police Officers pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 52:17B-66 et seq.
d. 
Each candidate for appointment to the Police Department shall be and is required to submit to such written and oral examination as may be required by the Borough Council, if applicable, and also submit to a physical and mental examination by a licensed practicing physician of the State of New Jersey designated by the Borough Council for such purpose. The character and scope of such examination shall be for the purpose of revealing the extent to which such applicant may be mentally, physically and otherwise qualified to perform his duties in the Department. Any applicant who shall fail to pass the written or oral examination or who shall fail to meet the physical or mental qualifications as may be set by the Borough Council or who, in the opinion of the examining physician, is incapable of performing the duties of a Police Officer in a safe and efficient manner shall be ineligible for appointment to the Department. A background investigation shall be conducted on an applicant to ensure his acceptance into a Commission-approved Basic Course for Police Officers.
e. 
No person shall be appointed to the Police Department as a regular or probationary member unless he is, at the time of making application, between the ages of 18 and 35 years, except as provided by law in the case of veterans.
[1975 Code § 30-6; Ord. No. 011-75]
Each member of the Police Department shall, before entering upon the performance of his duties, take and subscribe an oath to bear true faith and allegiance to the government established in this State, to support the Constitution of the United States of America and the State of New Jersey and to faithfully, impartially and justly discharge and perform all duties of his office, which oath or affirmation shall be filed with the Borough Clerk.
[1975 Code § 30-7; Ord. No. 011-75; Ord. No. 5-94; New]
a. 
The Chief of Police shall be the head of the Police Department and shall be responsible to the Mayor and Council as the appropriate authority for the efficiency and routine day-to-day operations of the Department. The Chief of Police shall be responsible to:
1. 
Administer and enforce rules and regulations and special emergency directives for the disposition and discipline of the force and its officers and personnel; and administer and enforce special orders, general orders, standards of performance, directives and other operational directives as deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the Department.
2. 
Have, exercise, and discharge the functions, powers and duties of the force;
3. 
Prescribe the duties and assignments of all subordinates and other personnel;
4. 
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; and
5. 
Report monthly to the appropriate authority in such form as shall be prescribed by the Mayor and Council on the operation of the force during the preceding month, and make such other reports as may be requested by the appropriate authority.
b. 
The control of the Police Department shall be vested in the Police Chief and the discipline of the members of the Department shall be governed by the Rules and Regulations of the Borough of Allentown Police Department. The Chief of Police shall enforce all rules and regulations of the Borough of Allentown Police Department and any general and special orders or instructions which he may promulgate, provided that such general or special orders or instructions do not conflict with the rules and regulations, orders or instructions issued by resolution of the Mayor and Council. He shall enforce all rules and regulations, orders or instructions, whether promulgated by him or by the Mayor and Council.
c. 
The Chief of Police shall recommend to the Mayor and Council the purchase of new equipment or the repair or rearrangement of such old equipment as will increase the efficiency of the Department. He shall have full charge and control of all the apparatus and equipment of the Department and its assignment and use shall be held responsible for its care, cleanliness and safekeeping.
[1975 Code § 30-8; Ord. No. 011-75; New]
The Police Department, through its Chief, shall:
a. 
Preserve the public peace; protect life and property; prevent crime; detect and arrest offenders against the penal laws and ordinances effective within the Borough; suppress riots, mobs and insurrections; disperse unlawful or dangerous assemblages and preserve order at all elections and public meetings and assemblages.
b. 
Administer and enforce laws and ordinances to regulate, direct, control and restrict the movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and use of the streets by vehicles and persons, to protect the safety and facilitate the convenience of motorists and pedestrians, and to make and enforce rules and regulations not inconsistent with the ordinances and resolutions of the Borough for such purposes.
c. 
Remove or cause to be removed all nuisances in the public streets, parks and other public places of the Borough, inspect and observe all places of public amusement or assemblage and all places of business requiring any State or municipal license or permit, and report thereon to the appropriate department; and provide proper police attendance and protection at fires in the Borough.
d. 
Provide for the attendance of its members in court as necessary for the prosecution and trial of persons charged with crimes and offenses, and cooperate fully with the law enforcement and prosecuting authorities of Federal, State and County governments.
e. 
Operate a training program to maintain and improve the police efficiency of the members of the Department; to insure officers receive required mandated training courses and advanced training to insure the efficiency of the Department.
[1975 Code § 30-9; Ord. No. 011-75; New]
a. 
The Mayor, with the advice and consent of Council, may appoint special policemen for a term not exceeding one year and revoke such appointments in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.14.
b. 
The Special Law Enforcement Officers shall carry out their duties and responsibilities under the supervision of the Chief of Police or in the absence of the Chief of Police, other Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the Local Unit, and their duties shall be specifically defined by the Chief of Police in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.11.
c. 
Their powers, rights and duties, however, shall immediately cease at the expiration of the term for which they were appointed, or upon revocation of their appointment in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.11 and 40A: 14-146.14.
d. 
Special Law Enforcement Officers shall not carry a revolver or other weapon at any time, except as otherwise directed by the Chief of Police.
e. 
No person shall be appointed as a Special Law Enforcement Officer unless he is a citizen of the United States; is able to read, write and speak the English language; is physically and mentally qualified; is of good moral character, and has not been convicted of any crime. Every such special policeman shall be fingerprinted, and his fingerprints shall be filed with the Division of the State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Reports shall be made by the Chief of Police to the Borough Council concerning the eligibility and qualifications of any person proposed to be appointed as a Special Law Enforcement Officer.
[1975 Code § 30-10; Ord. No. 011-75; New]
The hours of employment of uniformed members of the Police Department shall be determined by the Chief of Police or in his absence the Director of Public Safety with approval from the Borough Council. In case of an emergency, the Mayor, the Chief of Police or the Chairman of the Police Committee of the Borough Council shall have full authority to summon and keep on duty any and all such members during the period of emergency.
[1975 Code § 30-11; Ord. No. 011-75]
a. 
Each person hereafter appointed to the Department shall be known as a probationary patrolman and shall serve as a probationary patrolman for a period not less than one year from the date of his appointment.
b. 
Each person appointed or promoted to the position of Sergeant, Lieutenant or Chief of Police shall likewise serve a probationary period in such capacity for a period of one year from the date of his appointment or promotion.
c. 
At the termination of the probationary period and provided that the candidate or person promoted satisfactorily meets all the requirements of the position to which he has been appointed or promoted for the probationary period, the appointment or promotion as patrolman, Sergeant, Lieutenant or Chief of Police, as the case may be, shall be final.
[1975 Code § 30-12; Ord. No. 011-75; Ord. No. 5-94; New]
a. 
Each member of the Department shall hold his office and continue in his employment during good behavior, and efficiency in office and no person shall be removed from office or employment for any cause other than just cause, incapacity, misconduct, neglect of duty, conduct unbecoming a Police Officer, or disobedience of the rules and regulations of the Borough Police Department.
b. 
Any member of the Department may be suspended, removed, fined or reduced from his office or employment therein, for just cause, incapacity, misconduct, neglect of duty, conduct unbecoming a Police Officer, or disobedience of the rules and regulations of the Borough of Allentown Police Department upon due notice and service of written charges and a hearing in the form prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Borough and in accordance with the appropriate Statutes of the State of New Jersey.
[1975 Code § 30-13; Ord. No. 011-75]
All members of the Police Department shall provide and maintain in a clean and serviceable condition such wearing apparel and equipment as shall be prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Police Department. The uniform shall be furnished at the expense of the Borough.
[1975 Code § 30-14; Ord. No. 011-75]
All firearms which may be provided by the Borough shall remain the property of the Borough.
[1975 Code § 30-15; Ord. No. 011-75; New]
a. 
Each full-time active uniformed member of the Police Department, including the Chief of Police, shall receive an annual vacation.
b. 
The annual vacation shall be scheduled with approval of the Chief of Police so as not to interfere with the efficiency of the Department.
[1975 Code § 30-16; Ord. No. 011-75; Ord. No. 09-76; New]
a. 
Necessity for Appointment. In the event that there exists a vacancy in the office of the Chief of Police, the Mayor, with the consent of the Borough Council, shall appoint a Director of Public Safety.
b. 
Term. The Director of Public Safety shall be appointed for up to one year, which term may be extended if the Mayor, with the consent of Borough Council, shall deem the health and safety of the citizens to be best served by a longer appointment time, to serve until a Chief of Police is appointed and takes office.
c. 
Salary. The Director of Public Safety shall be paid such salary as is provided in the Salary Ordinance.
d. 
Duties. The Director of Public Safety is the administrative head of the Police Department and shall be responsible for the direct operation of the Police Department and make all necessary reports, at least monthly, to the Mayor and Council. He shall perform all the administrative duties of the Chief of Police. He shall be responsible for the discipline of the members of the Police Department, shall enforce the rules and regulations of the Police Department and shall be accountable for all activities of the Department.
[Ord. No. 04-2012]
a. 
Off-duty assignments of municipal police officers. Whenever the terms "off-duty," "special duty," or "extra-duty" are utilized in this section, they refer to duty assignments made by the Police Department assigned Officer at the request of private citizens for special projects of a private, quasi-public, or school nature.
b. 
Extra duties. Whenever the Police Department assigned Officer or his designee determines that extra-duty assignments shall be performed for a party requesting private or quasi-public duty, the Police Department assigned Officer or his designee shall enter into an agreement providing for extra-duty assignments for which the Borough shall be compensated at the rate set by this subsection. Such agreement shall be in accordance with the following standards and provisions:
1. 
The party requesting the assignment shall execute and deliver an agreement in a form approved by the Allentown Police Department.
2. 
The Borough shall be responsible to provide all necessary insurance coverage as required by law including but not limited to, worker's compensation, public liability, personal injury (including death) or damage to property which may arise or result from the extra-duty services performed pursuant hereto.
3. 
Officers engaged in special duty assignments shall be deemed on-duty and shall conform to all Police Department rules, regulations and procedures.
4. 
Any and all extra-duty assignments shall be determined and approved by the Police Department assigned Officer or his designee, who may assign a patrol vehicle for use in performing extra duty if and in the event it is determined that the use of a patrol vehicle is necessary to perform the contracted duty.
5. 
All special duty assignments shall be within the municipality, except in the case of assignments on behalf of the UFT Regional schools for which officers may be assigned to any location(s) the Officer-In-Charge deems necessary for public safety.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Ord. No. 14-2019]
6. 
The work to be performed shall be considered "special assignment from independent contractors" and will not be considered direct assignment or duty on the job through the Borough. The taking of any and all extra-duty assignments shall be on a voluntary basis.
7. 
Any private persons or entities requesting the services of police officers will be required to submit payment based on estimates of the work to be done and relative administrative expenses in advance of services rendered except in the case of an emergency or as it relates to the school. The municipality would "escrow" the monies in the dedicated fund to ensure timely payment to the police officers.
c. 
Hourly Rates for Off-Duty Employment.
That the hourly rate per person be paid to the Allentown Borough Police Officers for outside employment/extra duty as set forth in this section shall be as follows:
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Ord. No. 14-2019; 9-24-2019 by Ord. No. 17-2019]
1. 
$75 per hour with the amount billed public and private individuals or organizations being $95 per hour, except where the outside employment/extra duty assignments are being paid for by the Borough or the Upper Freehold Township Regional School District.
2. 
When outside employment/extra duty assignments are being paid for by the Borough and/or the Upper Freehold Township Regional School District, the hourly rate per person shall be $55 per hour with the amount billed to the Upper Freehold Township Regional School District being $65 per hour.
[Amended 2-11-2020 by Ord. No. 01-2020]
3. 
That the hourly rate per person be paid to Allentown Special Police/Crossing Guards shall be $25 per hour and the amount billed public and private individuals or organizations being $35 per hour.
4. 
That the hourly rate for the use of police vehicles, except UFT Regional schools, for outside employment shall be $125 for the first eight hours. If the project requires more than eight hours, then use of the police vehicle is billed at $35 per hour for time in excess of the first eight hours. Minimum charge is $125 for any off-duty use of police vehicle.
[Ord. No. 01-2013]
The Borough of Allentown hereby creates the position of Class 2 Special Officer.
[New]
There shall be a Department of Finance of the Borough, which shall have jurisdiction over all business pertaining to finance.
[New]
The Borough shall have a Department of Finance which shall be headed by the Borough Treasurer, who may be the Chief Financial Officer of the Borough. The Treasurer so appointed shall possess all qualifications required by law for a Municipal Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer and which may be imposed by the Council by resolution. He shall serve for a term of four years.
[New]
By virtue of N.J.S.A. 40A:9-140.1, the New Jersey Legislature mandated that the Governing Body of each municipality must, by ordinance, create the position of Chief Financial Officer.
[New]
There is hereby created the position of Certified Municipal Financial Officer of the Borough of Allentown in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:9-140.1. The Chief Financial Officer shall be appointed by the Governing Body for a four year term commencing January 1 of the year in which he/she is appointed. The Governing Body may appoint such Assistant or Deputy Municipal Financial Officers as it sees fit.
[New]
The Chief Financial Officer shall:
a. 
Receive funds entrusted, received or under the control of any department and deposit all funds received by him/her in depositories authorized by the Governing Body by resolution.
b. 
Have custody of all investments and invested funds of the Borough or in possession of the Borough in a fiduciary capacity, except as otherwise provided by law, and keep such funds and all moneys of the Borough not required for current operations safely invested or deposited in interest bearing accounts.
c. 
Have the safekeeping of all bonds and notes of the Borough and the receipt and delivery of the Borough bonds and notes for transfer, registration or exchange.
d. 
Keep a full account of all cash receipts and disbursements of the Borough and at least once each month, or more often if the Governing Body requires, furnish the Governing Body with a statement of all moneys received and expended by him/her.
[New]
The Chief Financial Officer and any Assistants or Deputies shall receive such compensation as shall be prescribed in the Salary Ordinance of the Borough.
[New]
a. 
Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, any person who has served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Borough for four consecutive years and who is reappointed as the Borough's Chief Financial Officer shall be granted tenure of office upon filing with the Borough's Clerk and with the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs a notification evidencing his compliance with this section.
b. 
Thereafter, the person shall continue to hold office during good behavior and efficiency, and shall not be removed therefrom except for just cause and then only after a public hearing upon a written complaint setting forth the charge or charges against him pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:9-140.9 or upon expiration or revocation of certification by the Director pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:9-140.12.
[New]
There is hereby created the position of Treasurer in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:9-152. The appointment shall run concurrent with the CFO appointment.
[New]
The Treasurer shall have, perform and exercise all the functions, powers and duties as provided by general law and Borough ordinances. He shall keep and maintain books and records of all financial transactions of the Borough in accordance with the standards and requirements of the Division of Local Finance in the Department of Community Affairs of the State of New Jersey. He shall have custody of all public moneys of the Borough and shall make monthly reports to the Council of all receipts, expenditures, commitments and unexpended appropriations. All moneys received from any source by or on behalf of the Borough or any department, board, office or agency thereof, except as otherwise provided by Borough ordinance, shall be paid to the Treasurer, who shall, by the next ensuing bank day after their receipt, deposit them in the authorized public depository of the Borough to the credit of the proper account.
[New]
Disbursements in payment of bills and demands and the Borough payroll shall be made by the Treasurer upon preaudit and approval of Borough Council.
[1975 Code §§ 25-8—25-11]
a. 
Office Established. There is hereby established the office of Deputy Borough Treasurer.
b. 
The Deputy Borough Treasurer shall hold office during the pleasure of the Borough Council and, unless sooner removed, shall hold office for a term of one year commencing January 1 and ending 12:00 midnight December 31 in any year and until a successor or successors shall have qualified, and shall be appointed at the annual meeting of the Mayor and Council.
c. 
Powers and Duties. The duties of the Deputy Borough Treasurer shall specifically include the following, but the recital thereof as set forth below shall not be exclusive, and the Mayor and Borough Council may, by resolution, set forth other duties appropriate to the office.
1. 
To sign checks.
2. 
To perform other related duties in connection with the office of the Treasurer during the absence of the Treasurer.
d. 
Salary of Deputy Borough Treasurer. The compensation of the Deputy Borough Treasurer shall be as established in the Salary Ordinance.
[Ord. No. 01-2013]
The Borough of Allentown hereby creates the position of Assistant to the Certified Municipal Finance Officer.