[Amended 4-9-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-06; 5-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-07; 7-5-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-13]
There is hereby created a Police Department for the Township of Lower, County of Cape May, State of New Jersey, the head of which shall be the Chief of Police, and which may consist of one Deputy Chief, up to one Captain; up to four Lieutenants; up to seven Sergeants, and up to 40 full-time patrolmen; and such number of civilian employees as the Township may designate.
[Amended 5-16-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
A. 
The Chief of Police, other superior officers, police officers and employees shall be appointed by the Township Manager from a list of candidates supplied by the Civil Service Commission.
B. 
The appointing authority may also appoint entry-level law enforcement officers in accordance with the Alternate Route Program in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 11A:4-1.3 and N.J.S.A. 52:17B-69.1.
A. 
The appropriate authority, as said term is used in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118, shall be the Township Manager of the Township of Lower.
B. 
The Chief of Police shall be the head of the Police Department and shall be directly responsible to the Township Manager for the efficiency and routine day-to-day operations of the Police Department.
C. 
The Township Manager shall be responsible for the overall performance of the Police Department. The Township Manager, with the advice of the Chief of Police, shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for the government of the Police Department and for the discipline of its members. The Township Manager, with the advice of the Chief of Police, may from time to time amend and repeal such rules and regulations as he may deem necessary for the government and efficient working of the Police Department. Failure to post rules and regulations shall in no way invalidate such rules and regulations.
A. 
The Chief of Police shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(1) 
Administer and enforce the rules and regulations and special emergency directives for the disposition and discipline of the Department, its officers and personnel.
(2) 
Have, exercise and discharge the functions, powers and duties of the Police Department.
(3) 
Prescribe the duties and assignments of subordinates and other personnel.
(4) 
Delegate such of his authority as may be necessary for the efficient operation of the force to be exercised under his direction and supervision.
(5) 
Report at least monthly to the Township Manager, in such form as shall be prescribed by the Township Manager, on the operation of the Police Department during the preceding month, and make such other reports as may be requested from time to time by the Township Manager.
B. 
The Chief of Police shall be responsible for coordinating all public safety functions in the Township. In this role, he shall coordinate with the local Fire Districts regarding services and equipment they obtain from the Township to the extent not otherwise provided by law, resolution or ordinance. The Chief of Police shall be in charge of the Township's emergency dispatch system, and all personnel assigned to the same shall report to him through the Police Department's chain of command.
The Township hereby authorizes and approves the implementation of the attached Lower Township Police Rules and Regulations adopted by the Township Manager for the purpose of providing a general guideline for the Lower Township Police Department.[1] These rules and regulations shall be followed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey and any Lower Township Police Department policies and procedures consistent therewith.
[1]
Editor's Note: A copy of said Rules and Regulations is on file in the Township offices.
A. 
The regular Police Department may be augmented by resolution of the Mayor and Council by the appointment of special officers, to serve at the will of the Mayor and Council during periods of emergency or public necessity.
B. 
During their period of service, such special officers shall serve at a salary determined by the Mayor and Council and shall be governed by and under the rules and regulations of the Police Department, and under the direction and supervision of the Chief of Police.
[Amended 12-18-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-22]
A. 
Prior to any permanent appointment for an indefinite term in the Police Department, any appointee except a police officer must serve a four-month working test period (probationary term), at the expiration of which the appointment shall either be made permanent or terminated or the working test period extended consistent with the then current New Jersey Civil Service statute[1] and implementing regulations. Temporary and probationary appointments shall be distinguished as such by a written communication to the person appointed, setting forth the classification of the appointment, and a copy of the communication shall be entered in the records of the Chief of Police and the Township Clerk.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 11A:1-1 et seq.
B. 
Prior to any police officer receiving a permanent appointment for an indefinite term in the Police Department, an appointee must serve a one-year working test period (probationary term) after graduation from an accredited basic police training academy, at the expiration of which the appointment shall either be made permanent or terminated or the working test period extended consistent with the then current New Jersey Civil Service statute and implementing regulations.
C. 
Alternate Route Program.
(1) 
The Alternate Route Program is a discretionary program that allows the appointing authority to hire individuals who have successfully completed a full Basic Course for Police Officers training course at a school approved and authorized by the New Jersey Police Training (BCPO) Commission. Individuals who are enrolled in or who have successfully completed the academy portion of the Alternate Route Program will be eligible to apply for an entry-level position with the Lower Township Police Department.
(2) 
Initial appointments of entry-level law enforcement officers may also, at the sole discretion of the appointing authority, be made in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 52:17B- 69.1 and N.J.S.A. 11A:4-1.3, which allow for the appointment of entry-level law enforcement officers who have not taken an entry-level law enforcement officer position examination offered by the Civil Service Commission, but who successfully complete a full Basic Course for Police Officers training course at a school approved and authorized by the New Jersey Police Training Commission.
D. 
Pursuant to the provisions of the New Jersey Police Licensure Act, N.J.S.A. 52:17B-66 et seq., effective January 1, 2024, all current and future law enforcement officers employed by the Lower Township Police Department must hold a valid, active license issued by the Police Training Commission (PTC) in order to be employed as a police officer in the State of New Jersey.
All applicants for appointment to or for promotion within the Police Department shall be qualified for appointment or promotion as required by law, ordinance and civil service rules and regulations. All applicants for appointment shall be residents of the Township of Lower and must maintain continuous residency within the Township of Lower until the announced closing date of the Department of Personnel examination.