[Ord. No. 2017-63]
(a)
As authorized by N.J.S.A. 15:8-4, each company of the department
may provide for the appointment of certain of its members to perform
certain police duties at fires and fire drills, for a term of office
not exceeding five years from the date of the appointment. The appointed
members shall, before entering upon their duties, qualify by:
(1)
Successfully completing a basic fire police training course
formulated or approved by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety.
(2)
Taking and subscribing an oath that they will justly, impartially
and faithfully discharge their duties according to the best of their
ability and understanding. The oath shall be administered by the municipal
clerk and subscribed to in duplicate. The original copy of the oath
shall be filed with the municipal clerk and a copy thereof filed with
the secretary of the fire company making the appointment and with
the director of emergency and safety services.
(b)
After appointment, a qualified member shall be eligible as a fire
police officer and shall have full power and authority to act as a
fire police officer in Mercer County or other county in which the
fire police officer may be called upon to act.
[Ord. No. 2017-63]
The chief shall appoint a captain of the fire police. The captain
shall hold the position for the term of one year and until a successor
is appointed.
[Ord. No. 2017-63]
(a)
The fire police shall be under the direct command of the captain
of the fire police, subject to the supervision and control of the
fire chief, deputy chief, assistant chief or other superior officer.
(b)
It shall be the duty of a member of the fire police to perform police
duties under the supervision of the fire department officer in charge
of the fire or fire drill, until the arrival of a duly authorized
police officer, who shall assume responsibility for the supervision
of the performance of traffic duties, preservation of evidence and
all other law enforcement duties.
(c)
The duties of said fire police subject to the supervision aforesaid
shall be to:
(1)
Protect property and contents.
(2)
Establish and maintain fire lines.
(3)
Perform such traffic duties as necessary, from the fire station
to and at the vicinity of the fire, fire drill or other emergency
call, until the arrival of a duly authorized police officer, or in
place of police officers at the request of the police department or
direction of the fire officer in charge; or at any public event where
fire police services may be requested to protect the public, subject
to the approval of and supervision by the Princeton chief of police
or the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which
the public event takes place.
(d)
Nothing in this section shall give the fire police the right to supersede
a duly authorized police officer.
(e)
Nothing in this section shall diminish the powers of the chief or
other superior officer of any volunteer fire company in the exercise
of their duties pursuant N.J.S.A. 40A:8-54.1.
[Ord. No. 2017-63]
If any person shall unreasonably refuse to obey the orders of
the fire police, a fire police officer may arrest the person and keep
the person under arrest until the fire is extinguished or the drill
completed. If the offender is found guilty by a municipal court or
superior court, the offender shall be sentenced to pay a fine not
exceeding $200 and costs.
