[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Lawnside 4-6-1994 by Ordinance No. 11-FY94. Amendments noted where applicable.]
There shall be a Department of Public Safety. The head of which shall be the Director of Public Safety. Within the Department of Public Safety there shall be the following divisions:
A. 
Division of Police;
B. 
Division of Fire Protection;
C. 
Division of Building Code Enforcement.
The Director of Public Safety shall be required:
A. 
To be the appropriate authority designated by Borough Council through the Mayor to exercise the authority of Council for the proper and efficient conduct of all Public Safety functions of the borough government, including Civil Defense Disaster Control;
B. 
To be responsible for the execution and enforcement of all laws, state and federal, and ordinances pertaining to the safety of the public at large and shall be the head of the Department as generally established in this chapter;
C. 
To direct the operation of the Division of Police and, exclusive of the responsibilities specifically reserved to the Chief Law Enforcement Officer, to promulgate rules and regulations for the efficient operation of the Division and to conduct all police disciplinary hearings;
D. 
To direct the operation of the Division of Fire Protection and, subject to constraints imposed by applicable law, to promulgate rules and regulations for the efficient operation of the Division and to conduct all firefighter disciplinary hearings;
E. 
To direct the operation of the Division of Building Code Enforcement, and exclusive of the duties specifically reserved to the Construction Official, promulgate and enforce rules and regulations for the efficient operation of the Division.
F. 
To initiate budget estimates with the advice and consent of the Police Committee for forwarding to the Borough Administrator and to obtain the approval of the Police Committee chairperson for expenditure of funds within the Police Division;
G. 
To coordinate the operation and management of all divisions within the Department of Public Safety;
H. 
To plan, organize, assign and direct all police, fire, and ambulance operations with respect to personnel, equipment and buildings;
I. 
To take or recommend disciplinary action for any employee within the Public Safety Department in accordance with statutory provisions and with recommendations of subordinate superiors;
J. 
To keep the Borough Administrator informed of all matters concerning the duties of the Director of Public Safety;
K. 
To plan and implement an ongoing program of training and education, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council, for all the members of the Police Department, so that they will be fully apprised of current developments in law enforcement;
L. 
To provide technical information to the Borough Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board or other department heads when required;
M. 
To promote a close liaison with the various agencies of the borough and to attend meetings of the Mayor and Council when necessary to better coordinate the functioning of the Police Department with the work of all municipal agencies;
N. 
To regularly revise the ordinances of the borough dealing with public safety to assure their propriety with the prevailing public safety needs of the borough;
O. 
To work with community groups to foster community action related to public safety activities including personal attendance at public gatherings to explain safety activities and to elicit citizen support.
[Added 4-1-2015 by Ord. No. 02-CY2015]
No person shall be qualified for appointment as Director of Public Safety unless such person shall be of high moral character and shall not have been convicted of a crime as defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4 or shall not have been convicted of a disorderly or petty disorderly offense in the past 10 years. Furthermore, no person shall be qualified for appointment as Director of Public Safety unless such person shall have:
A. 
Ten years' administrative business experience and have a high school diploma or its equivalent; or
B. 
Five years' experience in business administration for a governmental agency and have attained a Master of Business Administration; or
C. 
Three years in rank of lieutenant or greater in law enforcement; and
(1) 
Has a post-secondary education in public administration, criminal/justice studies or similar degree from an accredited institution; and
(2) 
Advanced law enforcement administrator training from a recognized agency.
[Added 4-1-2015 by Ord. No. 02-CY2015]
The office of the Director of Public Safety is hereby declared to be a part-time position. The Director shall devote appropriate time to the Department in order to properly and efficiently discharge his duties.
[Amended 4-1-2015 by Ord. No. 02-CY2015]
A. 
The Director of Public Safety's term of office shall be for one year beginning on January 1 and ending December 31 of each year;
[Amended 9-1-2010 by Ord. No. 03-FY2011]
B. 
The Director of Public Safety shall be compensated in amounts as authorized by Mayor and Council.
[Amended 4-1-2015 by Ord. No. 02-CY2015]
Within the Department of Public Safety, there shall be a Division of Police.
A. 
Chapter 28 of the Revised Ordinances of the Borough of Lawnside (Police Department) shall be amended to substitute Division of Police in every section where the Department of Police is indicated;
B. 
The position of Chief of Police established by Chapter 28, Section 28-1 of the Revised Ordinances of the Borough of Lawnside is hereby abolished;
C. 
Chapter 28 of the Revised Ordinances of the Borough of Lawnside shall be amended to substitute the Chief Executive Officer in each section of said chapter wherein duties and/or authority are given to the Chief of Police;
D. 
In conjunction with the Division of Police the Public Safety Director shall:
(1) 
Develop a traffic control program which includes:
(a) 
A program for the supervision, development and coordination of the erection of traffic signs and to ensure vehicle and pedestrian safety.
(b) 
Recommendations to the proper authorities to correct or alleviate traffic problems.
(c) 
A program for provision of crossing guards including personal service or substitutions if necessary.
(d) 
A program to oversee and administer the removal and storage of abandoned vehicles, disabled vehicles or contraband vehicles towed or impounded either by independent contract or by direct municipal action.
(2) 
Ensure proper files and accurate crime statistics so as to permit uniform crime reporting.
(3) 
Organize and develop a safety program for the children within the schools and other organizations within the borough.
[Amended 4-1-2015 by Ord. No. 02-CY2015]
Within the Department of Public Safety, there shall be a Division of Fire Protection.
A. 
Within the Fire Department shall be the Volunteer Ambulance Squad.
[Amended 4-1-2015 by Ord. No. 02-CY2015]
Within the Department of Public Safety, there shall be a Division of Building Code Enforcement.
[Amended 4-1-2015 by Ord. No. 02-CY2015]
A. 
Overall responsibility.
(1) 
Authority to supervise and direct Police, Fire and Building Code Enforcement Division, hereafter referred to as the Department of Public Safety.
(a) 
Responsible for the protection of lives and property in the borough and for the organization and direction of all borough activities concerned with the Police, Fire and Building Code Enforcement.
(2) 
Powers.
(a) 
Under the general directions of the Borough Administrator acting as agent for the Mayor and Borough Council, the Director of Public Safety shall have control over the Division of Police in such manner as may be consistent with all applicable statutes, ordinances and regulations and shall be responsible for the administration and regulation of the Department of Public Safety.
(3) 
Reportability.
(a) 
Shall keep the Borough Administrator informed of all matters concerning the duties of the Director of Public Safety.
(b) 
Provide technical public safety information to the Borough Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board or other department heads when required.
(4) 
Compensation.
(a) 
The Director of Public Safety shall be paid an annual salary as established by the Mayor and Council.
B. 
Division of Police.
(1) 
As head of the Department of Public Safety shall administer the work subject to the supervision and direction of the Borough Administrator.
(a) 
Organize and direct, through subordinates, the activities of the Division of Police through planning, evaluating, and coordinating.
(b) 
Report to the Borough Administrator from time to time such matters as may require the attention of the Borough Council, with the recommendation of the Director thereon, relating to conditions of the Department and its improvements and needs.
(c) 
Perform such other matters in connection therewith as may be prescribed by the Borough Council.
(d) 
Examine all applicants with the Police Committee for positions on the police force and recommend for positions on the police force such persons as the Director may deem proper, from time to time.
(e) 
Prefer charges against and, in his discretion, pending a final hearing on the charges, suspend any officer or member of the force and otherwise exercise control over all subordinates, subject to law.
(2) 
Shall be on call and available for service at all times.
(a) 
Promote a close liaison with the various agencies of the borough and to attend all meetings of the Mayor and Council when necessary to better coordinate the functioning of the Division of Police with the work of all municipal agencies.
(b) 
Regularly review the ordinances of the borough dealing with public safety to assure their propriety with the prevailing public safety needs of the borough.
(c) 
Plan and implement an ongoing program of training and education, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council, for all members of the Division of Police, so that they will be fully apprised of current developments in law enforcement.
C. 
Traffic.
(1) 
As head of the Department of Public Safety shall administer the work subject to the supervision and direction of Borough Administrator.
(a) 
Supervise, develop and coordinate programs for signing and traffic control to ensure vehicle and pedestrian safety.
(b) 
Monitor traffic conditions within the borough and make appropriate recommendations to the proper authorities to correct or alleviate traffic problems.
(c) 
Direct pedestrian traffic as necessary, i.e. to fill-in for crossing guards and or police staff.
D. 
Safety.
(1) 
As head of the Department of Public Safety shall administer the work subject to the supervision and direction of the Borough Administrator.
(a) 
Organize and develop a safety program for the children in the schools and other organizations within borough.
(b) 
Attend meetings and public gatherings to explain safety activities and functions and to elicit citizen support.
(c) 
Develop and supervise crime prevention programs for the community.
(d) 
Work with community groups to foster community action relating to public safety activities.
E. 
Crime.
(1) 
As head of the Department of Public Safety shall administer the work subject to the supervision and direction of Borough Administrator.
(a) 
Respond to the scene of all major criminal activity and coordinate through subordinates the action to be taken.
(b) 
Be responsible for and ensure accomplishment of police investigations of criminal activity within the borough.
(c) 
Ensure proper files and accurate crime statistics are maintained so as to permit evaluation and uniform crime reporting.
F. 
Personnel.
(1) 
As head of the Department of Public Safety shall administer the work subject to the supervision and direction of the Borough Administrator.
(a) 
Evaluate with the administrator and Police Committee candidates for positions in the Division of Police.
(b) 
With recommendations of subordinate supervisors, take or recommend disciplinary action in accordance with statutory provisions.
G. 
Planning, organizing, budgeting.
(1) 
As head of the Department of Public Safety shall administer the work subject to the supervision and direction of the Borough Administrator.
(a) 
Plan, organize, assign and direct all police, fire, and ambulance operations with respect to personnel, equipment and buildings.
(b) 
With the advice and consent of the Police Committee, initiates budget estimates for forwarding to the Borough Administrator and is responsible for obtaining the approval of the Police Committee chairperson for the expenditures of funds with the department budget.
H. 
Building code enforcement.
(1) 
As head of the Department of Public Safety shall administer the work subject to the supervision and direction of the Borough Administrator.
(a) 
Direct the operations of the Division of Building Code Enforcement, and exclusive of the duties specifically reserved to the Construction Official, promulgate and enforce rules and regulations for the efficient operation of the Division.
I. 
Training.
(1) 
As head of the Department of Public Safety shall administer the work subject to the supervision and direction of Borough Administrator.
(a) 
Direct and may participate in the training of subordinates in the law and in the techniques and procedures of the various functions.
J. 
Scheduling.
(1) 
As head of the Department of Public Safety shall administer the work subject to the supervision and direction of Administrator.
K. 
Community relations.
(1) 
As head of the Department of Public Safety shall administer the work subject to other supervision and direction of administrator.
(a) 
Work with the community groups to foster community action related to public safety activities.
L. 
Ambulance squads.
(1) 
As head of the Department of Public Safety shall coordinate the activities of the Volunteer Ambulance Squad, subject to the supervisions and direction of the Administrator.
(a) 
Provide such assistance as may be necessary for their proper functioning.
M. 
Division of Fire.
(1) 
As head of the Department of Public Safety shall coordinate the activities of the Division of Fire, subject to the supervision and direction of the Administrator.
(a) 
Provide such assistance as may be necessary for their proper functioning.
N. 
Emergency management.
(1) 
Shall provide assistance as may be necessary for their proper functioning.
O. 
Authorization of Council to establish rules and regulations.
(1) 
The Borough Council shall establish, by resolution and may from time to time amend and repeal, by resolution, such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary for the government and efficient working of the entire Department. Such rules and regulations and the amendment or repeal of such rules or regulations, when adopted by the resolution of the Borough Council, shall be posted by the Borough Administrator within five days after the adoption thereof in quarters in the Municipal Building assigned to the Division of Police and a copy thereof delivered to each and every member of the Department within five days after the adoption of such rules or regulations or any amendment or repeal thereof.
[Added 1-3-2004 by Ord. No. 05-FY2004; amended 4-1-2015 by Ord. No. 02-CY2015]
A. 
Training education and uniforms:
(1) 
All members of the Public Safety Department shall be provided with uniforms and all members shall maintain in clean and serviceable condition such wearing apparel and equipment as is prescribed by the Public Safety Director.
(2) 
All members of the Public Safety Department shall be provided with appropriate training as mandated by the New Jersey Police Training Commission and/or prescribed by the Public Safety Director.
(3) 
If a Public Safety employee leaves the employment in the Public Safety Department prior to two full years of service, then such shall reimburse the Borough of Lawnside for all costs incurred by the Borough of Lawnside for training or education and uniforms.
(a) 
Training or education includes but is not limited to: Agency Training, Academy Training, Probationary Training and In-Service Training and Specialized Training.
(b) 
The resigning individual shall also be responsible for reimbursing the Borough for expenses of the Borough expended for medical, psychological and drug testing.