A.
There shall be a School Safety Section within the Civil Affairs Division
consisting of Class III special law enforcement officers, who shall
be under the command and control of the Chief of Police and who shall
report through the chain of command to the commanding officer of their
respective bureau and division as promulgated in this chapter, to
enhance the services and protection provided by the Department's sworn
police officers.
B.
The authority and operations of the School Safety Section and the
appointment, training, deployment and performance of its Class III
special law enforcement officers shall be governed by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.10,
40A:14-146.11, 40A:14-146.15 and 40A:14-146.16, as well as the provisions
established in this chapter and the rules and regulations of the Wood-Ridge
Police Department.
C.
The number of Class III special law enforcement officers shall be
determined by the Mayor and Council. All Class III special law enforcement
officers shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent
of the Council, subject to the policies and procedures established
in this chapter.
A.
A. Class III special law enforcement officers shall be responsible
for providing armed security at all public schools and facilities
within the Borough and at all official school functions attended by
students outside of school facilities, as may be directed by the Chief
of Police, or his or her designee, subject to the provisions of N.J.S.A.
40A:14-146.11 and 40A:14-146.5.
B.
When on duty, all Class III special law enforcement officers shall
exercise the full powers and duties, including the carrying and use
of a firearm and other mechanical force devices as prescribed by the
Chief of Police, as sworn police officers of the Police Department.
Class III special law enforcement officers are authorized to respond
to offenses and emergencies off school property if they occur in their
presence.
C.
In times of disaster and/or emergency, the Chief of Police, or his
or her designee, may activate, recall and/or otherwise assign any
Class III special law enforcement officer to any duty in support of
the operations of the Wood-Ridge Police Department's response to said
disaster and/or emergency.
D.
Class III special law enforcement officers shall be issued a firearm,
mechanical force devices and any such other equipment or supplies
necessary to perform their duties as determined by the Chief of Police,
who shall also prescribe uniforms that the special officers are responsible
for acquiring. Class III special law enforcement officers shall be
responsible for the care and maintenance of their uniforms and equipment
and shall wear the uniform of the day and carry a firearm and other
mechanical force devices and equipment as prescribed by the Chief
of Police at all times when on duty.
A.
All Class III special law enforcement officers shall meet the qualifications
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.10, which require that they:
(1)
Be a retired law enforcement officer who is less than 65 years of
age and whose retirement date and length of separation comply with
the rules and regulations for a bona fide retirement.
(2)
Have served as a duly qualified, fully trained, full-time officer
in any municipality or county of the State of New Jersey or as a member
of the New Jersey State Police and was separated from that prior service
in good standing within three years of appointment.
(3)
Be physically capable of performing the functions of the position,
as determined in accordance with the Police Training Commission guidelines.
(4)
Possess a New Jersey Police Training Commission basic police officer
certification or New Jersey State Police Academy certification.
(6)
Be hired in a part-time capacity.
B.
In addition to the qualifications required by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.10
as listed in this section, all Class III special law enforcement officers
shall:
(1)
Be under the age of 60 at the time of appointment.
(2)
Be a retiree of the Wood-Ridge Police Department.
(3)
Be a resident of the State of New Jersey.
(4)
Possess a valid New Jersey driver's license.
(5)
Be of good moral character.
(6)
Be physically and mentally fit.
(7)
Be able to successfully complete all required pre-appointment and
post appointment screening, evaluation and training processes.
(8)
Be subject to annual appointment for a term that matches the beginning
and ending dates of school days for faculty in an academic year.
(9)
Be subject to any and all training and/or continuing education, including
firearm qualification, as may be prescribed by the Chief of Police.
A.
All qualified persons desiring to be appointed as Class III special
law enforcement officers shall apply by sending a letter of interest
and resume to the Chief of Police.
B.
All applicants will be subject to a background check, a motor vehicle
driving record check and medical, physical, psychological, and/or
drug screening examinations.
C.
All applicants will be evaluated based upon their resume, qualifications,
education, service record with the Wood-Ridge Police Department and
interviews with, and recommendations of, the Chief of Police and the
Borough Administrator, as well as any other sworn officers and/or
Borough officials involved in the evaluation and hiring process.
D.
The Chief of Police and the Borough Administrator shall recommend
the most qualified applicants to the Mayor for appointment with the
advice and consent of the Council.
E.
After appointment by the Mayor and Council, all appointees shall
swear or affirm an oath of office as a Class III special law enforcement
officer of the Borough of Wood-Ridge, shall be issued a badge and
identification and shall report as ordered to the Chief of Police
for training and deployment.
F.
The term of appointment shall match the beginning and ending dates
of school days for faculty in an academic year. Appointments shall
be made yearly and an appointment made for any given academic year
shall not be construed nor implied to constitute an offer for, or
guarantee of, employment for a subsequent academic year.
G.
Appointees who fail to successfully complete any training, continuing
education, or weapons qualification, as mandated by state statute,
the rules and regulations of the Wood-Ridge Police Department or the
Chief of Police, shall be immediately terminated.
A.
The terms of employment for all Class III special law enforcement
officers shall be governed by the provisions of this chapter, the
Borough of Wood-Ridge Employee Personnel Policy Handbook and any other
such ordinances or resolutions as may be adopted by the Mayor and
Council.
B.
Notwithstanding any other provisions to the contrary, Class III special
law enforcement officers shall not be eligible, as a result of their
employment as a special officer, for the following benefits:
C.
The salary and wages of all Class III special law enforcement officers
shall be established as an hourly wage pursuant to the Salary Ordinance
adopted annually by the Mayor and Council. Wages will be paid only
for hours worked, including hours attending mandated training, continuing
education and weapon qualification, unless otherwise specified in
this chapter.
D.
During each term of appointment, Class III special law enforcement
officers shall be permitted paid sick days equal to five working days,
shall receive a uniform allowance, the amount of which shall be determined
by the Mayor and Council, and may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses,
subject to the approval of the Chief of Police and the Borough Administrator.
E.
Class III special law enforcement officers shall be available for
work on all official school days in the academic calendar when faculty
is working in the school buildings. The work schedule and post for
all Class III special law enforcement officers shall be established
by the Chief of Police or his or her designee.
F.
Any and all policies and rules governing the hiring, employment,
performance, conduct, deployment, scheduling, and/or duties of Class
III special law enforcement officers, not otherwise provided for in
this chapter, shall be governed by the Borough of Wood-Ridge Employee
Personnel Policy Handbook, the Salary Ordinance adopted annually by
the Mayor and Council, the rules and regulations of the Wood-Ridge
Police Department and the policies and decisions of the Chief of Police
and the Borough Administrator.
