[Added 12-9-86 by Ord. No. 86-32; amended 2-11-98 by Ord. No. 98-2; 5-27-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-7]
There is hereby created a category of employee within the Secaucus Police Department to be known as "Class Three special law enforcement officer." A Class Three special law enforcement officer can be employed only to assist the Secaucus Police Department with school security duties and shall not supplant full-time law enforcement officers employed pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:17-43. These Class Three special law enforcement officers shall not be members of the regular police force of the Town of Secaucus, and their powers and duties shall cease at the expiration of the term for which they were appointed in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A: 14-146 et seq. Based on this appointment, Class Three special law enforcement officers shall not be eligible for health care benefits or enrolled in any state-administered retirement system.
There shall be not more than four Class Three special law enforcement officers as appointed by the Mayor and Council in accordance with this article.
A. 
Officers of this class shall be authorized to exercise full powers and duties similar to those of a permanent, regularly appointed full-time police officer while providing security at a public school during hours when the public school is normally in session or when it is occupied by students or its teachers. While on duty in the Town of Secaucus, a Class Three special law enforcement officer may respond to offenses or emergencies off of school grounds if they occur in the officer's presence while traveling to a school facility, but a Class Three special law enforcement officer shall not otherwise be dispatched or dedicated to any assignment off of school property.
B. 
The use of a firearm by a Class Three special law enforcement officer shall be authorized pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.14. A Class Three special law enforcement officer shall not be authorized to carry a handgun while off duty unless the officer complies with the requirements set forth in Subsection 1 of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6 authorizing a retired law enforcement officer to carry a handgun.
C. 
A Class Three special law enforcement officer has no restriction on the number of hours that they can work, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.16. A Class Three special law enforcement officer shall not be assigned to an extracurricular or after-school function at a school facility, unless the assignment has first been made available to full-time members employed by the Secaucus Police Department.
No person may be appointed as a Class Three special law enforcement officer unless the person:
A. 
Is a retired law enforcement officer who has previously served as a duly qualified, fully trained, full-time officer in any law enforcement position eligible for participation in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System or in any federal or bistate law enforcement agency or as a member of the State Police, within three years of appointment and must be living in New Jersey at the time of and for the duration of appointment; and
B. 
Is retired from that agency in good standing, as evidenced by a letter of good standing issued by the chief executive officer of the agency from which the officer retired, listing the date and type of retirement. For the purposes of this subsection, "good standing" shall exclude a retirement resulting from injury or incapacity; and
C. 
Possesses a New Jersey Police Training Commission Basic Police Officer Certification, New Jersey State Police Academy Certification, or other proof of basic police training approved by the Police Training Commission; and
D. 
Is able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently and has a high school diploma or its equivalent; and
E. 
Is sound in body and of good health; must pass medical and psychological examinations and drug screening tests as a condition of employment and continued employment; and
F. 
Is less than 65 years of age at the time of appointment; and
G. 
Is of good moral character; has not been convicted of any offense involving dishonesty or which would make such officer unfit to perform the duties of this office, which will be verified by an updated criminal background investigation; and
H. 
Meets any other requirements contained in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.10 and subsequent amendments.
Class Three special law enforcement officers shall be appointed annually for one school year term of the Secaucus School District. The Mayor and Council are not required to reappoint upon expiration of the term.
No person may commence duty as a Class Three special law enforcement officer unless they receive a waiver of training from the New Jersey Police Training Commission. The person shall possess a New Jersey Police Training Commission Basic Police Officer Certification, New Jersey State Police Academy Certification, or other proof of basic police training approved by the Police Training Commission and must complete the training course for safe schools resource officers within 12 months of their appointment.
All Class Three special law enforcement officers shall be issued, prior to commencement of duty, an appropriate uniform, together with such special equipment as may be specified for their position pursuant to the policies of the Secaucus Police Department. Class Three special law enforcement officers shall have the obligation of maintaining said uniform and equipment.