[Adopted 6-28-2022 by Ord. No. 2941]
[Amended 1-24-2023 by Ord. No. 2976]
Individuals who are enrolled in or who have successfully completed the academy portion of the Alternate Route Program will be eligible to apply for a regular full-time position under this provision of the Garfield City Code. This enables the City of Garfield to consider candidates already trained without incurring the significant financial and time commitment to train officers to supplement the City of Garfield Police Department ranks. This process will allow the Chief of Police and the Mayor and Council to target and recommend to hire individuals who will contribute to overall Police Department excellence and have an immediate impact on the manpower and/or diversity of the department. The Alternate Route Program is purposely flexible so as to allow for consideration of many varied candidates and allows this premises on the need to diversify the City of Garfield Police Department and maintain an appropriate number of officers on the street.
[Amended 1-24-2023 by Ord. No. 2976]
A. 
All appointees must meet the following standards at the time of hire to be eligible under this section:
(1) 
A citizen of the United States who is 18 years of age or older;
(2) 
Be of sound in body and of good health sufficient to satisfy the Board of Trustees of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System of NJ as to eligibility for membership in the retirement system;
(3) 
Be able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently;
(4) 
Is of good moral character and has not been convicted of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude;
(5) 
Minimum of 60 academic credits or individuals who have served in the military and have not earned 60 credits, but can substitute two years of full-time, active-duty military service, or combination of college credits and full-time, active-duty military service to satisfy the education requirements. All educational and/or military requirements must be met at the time of hire; and
(6) 
Pass a rigorous selection process, including a written examination, a physical fitness test, oral interview, psychological evaluation, medical exam, and a full background check prior to attending.
B. 
All candidates hired under the Alternate Route Program must receive the Police Training Commission BCPO certificate from the school director within the probationary period as so designated by the Chief of Police or the employment will be terminated on or before the one-year anniversary;
C. 
Candidates who are currently SLEO II certified and eligible for a BCPO waiver from the Police Training Commission (PTC) shall also be considered under the Borough's Alternate Police Testing/Hiring Program;
D. 
The Civil Service Commission shall exempt from the requirement to take an examination for an entry-level law enforcement officer position a person who successfully completes a full basic course for police officers training course or a full basic course for correction officers training course at a school approved and authorized by the New Jersey Police Training Commission within nine months from the date of hire as a temporary entry-level officer, as directed by provisions of N.J.S.A. 11A:4-1.3.
A. 
With the permission of the Mayor and Council, the Chief of Police shall advertise for the hiring of qualified police candidates and provide the appropriate application form.
B. 
Alternate hiring candidates, upon submission of an application and invitation from the Chief of Police, will participate in the oral interview process with the Chief of Police and his/her two designees.
C. 
Upon completion of said interviews, the Chief of Police will recommend up to 10 candidates to the Mayor and Council for interviews.
D. 
Upon completion of the Mayor and Council interviews, the candidates will be ranked one up to 10.
E. 
Upon completion and ranking of candidates by the Mayor and Council and before being offered a position, each candidate must pass a background investigation, including a physical examination, a medical examination, and a psychological examination.
F. 
Any alternate hiring applicant failing any phase of the hiring process as outlined above will cease to be a candidate for the position of police officer in the City of Garfield Police Department.
G. 
The Alternate Route Program was established pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:17B-69.2, which allows a person who completes a training course pursuant to Section 2 of P.L. 1998, c. 146 (N.J.S.A. 52:17B-69.1) shall only be eligible for appointment as a permanent full-time member of a department or force.
H. 
Notwithstanding the eligibility hiring list process, the Council, upon written recommendation from the Chief of Police, may make appointments to fill vacancies in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 52:17B-69.1 and N.J.S.A. 52:17B-69.2.