There is hereby created and established within the organizational structure of the Township of Union, in the County of Union, a Department of Public Safety.
[Amended 8-11-1992 by Ord. No. 4210; 2-9-1993 by Ord. No. 4229; 3-22-1994 by Ord. No. 4303; 12-9-2008 by Ord. No. 5078; 2-23-2010 by Ord. No. 5127]
The Department shall consist of three divisions, namely the Division of Police, the Division of Fire and the Division of Administration. The Division of Police shall be operated under the control of the Police Director and the Division of Fire shall be operated under the direction and control of a Chief. The Division of Administration shall be operated under the direction and control of the Director of Public Safety. These divisions shall be comprised of as many officers, patrolmen, firefighters, civilians, part-paid personnel and/or volunteers as may be directed by the Township Committee. Further allocations of duties into respective bureaus or assignments shall be determined as needs require, in the discretion of the Police Director or Fire Chief regarding the Police and Fire Divisions and the Director of Public Safety regarding the Administrative Division, except that the Director shall not have assignment powers regarding sworn personnel.
[Amended 2-14-1995 by Ord. No. 4371; 12-9-2008 by Ord. No. 5078]
The Director of the Public Safety shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Township Committee and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Township Committee. The Director may be a full-time or contract employee of the Township. The Director shall be knowledgeable, by reason of education and experience, in administering a department of the size, type and complexity of the Department of Public Safety. Direct experience in one of the disciplines included in the Department is required. In the absence of a Director, the Township Administrator will assume the administrative duties of the Director.
[Amended 2-12-1991 by Ord. No. 4134; 8-11-1992 by Ord. No. 4210; 2-9-1993 by Ord. No. 4229; 3-22-1994 by Ord. No. 4303; 11-27-2007 by Ord. No. 5033]
A. 
The Police Director is designated hereby as the appropriate authority and shall be responsible for the overall performance of the Division of Police, including the promulgation and adoption of the rules and regulations for the government of the Police Division and for the discipline of its members.
[Amended 12-9-2008 by Ord. No. 5078]
B. 
The Appropriate Authority, or his/her designee, shall sit as Hearing Officer for the Township on any complaint against a permanent or probationary police officer charging violation of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147, or N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.3, or violation of the internal rules and regulations of the Police Department. In the event the Appropriate Authority does not act as Hearing Officer, the individual so designated to hear the disciplinary matter shall, at the conclusion of the hearing, forward his/her findings and recommendations to the Appropriate Authority, who shall make the final determination. The Appropriate Authority's decision shall be reviewable as provided by N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.8, as amended from time to time, or through a collective negotiations agreement procedure. In the event an individual not employed by the Township is considered by the Appropriate Authority to act as the Hearing Officer, the alternate Hearing Officer shall be appointed by the Township Committee.
C. 
The Division of Police shall be under the supervision and control of the Police Director and the Division of Fire shall be under the supervision and control of a Chief. The Chief of Fire shall implement the policies established by the Director of Public Safety and be accountable to the Director of Public Safety, who in turn shall report to the Township Committee through the Township Administrator. The Police Director shall implement the policies established by the Township Committee, and be accountable to and report to the Township Committee. The Division of Administration shall be under the supervision and control of the Director of Public Safety, who in turn shall report to the Township Committee through the Township Administrator.
[Amended 12-9-2008 by Ord. No. 5078; 2-23-2010 by Ord. No. 5127]
D. 
The second in command of the Police Division shall be the Deputy Chief of Police, and the second in command of the Fire Division shall be the Deputy Chief of the Fire Division. The Deputy Chief of each division shall perform such duties as are assigned to him or her by the Chief.
[Amended 2-12-1991 by Ord. No. 4134; 8-11-1992 by Ord. No. 4210; 2-9-1993 by Ord. No. 4229; 2-23-2010 by Ord. No. 5127]
The Fire and Administrative Divisions and all their personnel shall be under the direction of the Director of Public Safety, subject to the terms of this chapter and applicable state law and such rules and regulations as may from time to time be promulgated by the Township Committee with reference to the discipline of members of the Divisions, the training and efficiency of the personnel thereof and the use and care of equipment and apparatus. The Director of Public Safety is hereby authorized to administer and enforce such rules as may be delegated, except that he may delegate, in his discretion, such administration and enforcement thereof to the Division head. The rules, as herein authorized, and all other Division ordinances, rules and regulations and orders, both verbal and written, shall apply to all paid personnel, but also to all volunteers and civilian personnel. The Police Division shall report to the Director of Public Safety on routine personnel matters, budgetary issues and all other non-police matters necessary for the internal administrative functions for the operation of local government. In order to carry out these responsibilities, the Director of Public Safety may:
A. 
Direct the preparation of annual budget requests to the Township Administrator and monitor budget expenditures.
B. 
Coordinate the preparation and submission of monthly and annual reports, when appropriate.
C. 
Coordinate training of the Divisions in a variety of matters with respect to the duties of said Divisions.
D. 
Coordinate drills with any or all Divisions.
E. 
Develop plans and programs for dealing with public safety issues and emergency situations.
F. 
Keep records and review and analyze the performance of all Divisions of the Department.
G. 
Coordinate emergency activities with the Department of Emergency Management.
H. 
Direct the preparation of quarterly financial status reports.
I. 
Keep the Township Administrator advised of significant issues affecting the Department.
J. 
Communicate the Township Committee's goals and objectives to the Department.
K. 
Develop the long-term capital planning needs for the Department.
L. 
Facilitate the setting of goals and objectives for the Department.
M. 
Serve as an advocate for the departmental needs to the Township Administrator.
N. 
Interface with area departments and represent the Township at professional conferences.
O. 
Identify new technologies and the implementation of new approaches to law enforcement and fire services.
P. 
Facilitate resolution of problems which cannot be resolved within or between the Police and Fire Divisions.
Q. 
Coordinate research and development necessary for policy formulation.
R. 
Perform such other duties as shall be assigned by the Township Administrator.
Annually, the Township Committee shall designate one of its members to be Commissioner of the Division of Police and one to be Commissioner of the Division of Fire. Subject to administrative control and practice, the Commissioner shall become knowledgeable about the general functioning of the Division and act as a liaison between the Division, Department and the Township Committee.