A.
Reasons for disciplinary action.
(1)
Employees, regardless of rank, shall be subject to disciplinary
action, according to the nature or aggravation of the offense, for:
(a)
Committing an offense punishable under the laws or statutes
of the United States, the State of New Jersey or any other state or municipal
ordinances; or
(b)
Failure, either willfully or through negligence or incompetence,
to perform the duties of their rank or assignment; or
(c)
Violation of any rule, policy, procedure or directive
of the Department; or failure to comply with the Chief's orders, directives,
regulations, etc., oral and written, and also those of superiors and supervisors;
or
(d)
Failure to obey any lawful instruction, order or command
of a supervisor.
B.
Repeated violations. Repeated violations of the rules
of conduct shall be indicative of an employee's disregard for his duty
and may cause for dismissal. This shall apply regardless of the type or severity
of the offenses. A violation shall constitute a Class 1 offense.
A.
Disciplinary procedure. The disciplinary procedure for
the Robbinsville Township Police Department is contained within the Policy
and Procedures Manual of the Robbinsville Township Police Department.
B.
Disciplinary guide. The offenses herein shall guide the
Chief of Police or hearing officer in administering fair and uniform penalties
for violations of the Robbinsville Township Police Department's Rules
of Conduct.
C.
Offenses omitted. Offense not specifically listed, or
included by omission, shall result in penalties similar to those specified
for similar offenses of comparable seriousness.
D.
Potential penalties. A violation of the rules and regulations
of the Robbinsville Township Police Department shall expose the member to
the penalties listed below. Penalties for offenses listed shall in no way
limit any penalty which the Chief of Police or hearing officer may impose.
|
CLASS 1
|
1st Offense
|
Reprimand to Dismissal
| |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd Offense
|
Charges to Dismissal
| ||
|
3rd Offense
|
Charges to Dismissal
|
|
CLASS 2
|
1st Offense
|
Reprimand to 10 days
| |
|
2nd Offense
|
Reprimand to 20 days
| ||
|
3rd Offense
|
Charges up to 30 days
|
|
CLASS 3
|
1st Offense
|
Reprimand to 5 days
| |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd Offense
|
Reprimand to 10 days
| ||
|
3rd Offense
|
Charges up to 15 days
|
|
CLASS 4
|
1st Offense
|
Reprimand to 3 days
| |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd Offense
|
Reprimand to 5 days
| ||
|
3rd Offense
|
Charges up to 10 days
|
|
CLASS 5
|
1st Offense
|
Reprimand to 1 day
| |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd Offense
|
Reprimand to 2 days
| ||
|
3rd Offense
|
Reprimand to 3 days
|
A.
All evidence as well as the recommendations of the investigating
officer shall be considered at the time of the hearing officer imposing penalties
after the adjudication of the matter.
B.
Reprimand; performance notice; informal reprimand. Certain
offenses are sufficiently minor in nature that they may be handled by supervisory
personnel for a first offense. Though not serious in nature, the appropriate
form shall be filed with a copy to be forwarded to the offender's commanding
officer, and the office of the Chief of Police. This form shall be filed in
the member' personnel jacket. If there are no reoccurrences within six
months it shall be removed from the file. Any subsequent offense is then considered
to be the first.
C.
Written reprimand. A performance notice to document certain
offenses as required under the guidelines establishing penalties for violations
of the rules and regulations. These violations shall be documented and filed
by supervisory personnel, utilizing the appropriate form, and forwarded to
offender's commanding officer for approval. The approved form shall then
be forwarded to the office of the Chief of Police for placement in the member's
personnel file. Written reprimands are permanent in nature.
D.
Formal charges. Formal charges are specific offenses
to be heard by the Chief of Police, or designated hearing officer, with recommendations
of potential penalties, by the member bringing the charge(s). All second offenses
shall require the filing of formal charges. These violations shall be documented
and filed by supervisory personnel, utilizing the appropriate form, and forwarded
to the offender's commanding officer for approval. The approved form
shall then be forwarded to the office of the Chief of Police for placement
in the member's personnel file. Formal charges are permanent in nature.
The issuance and adoption of this guide of conduct, in accordance with
the New Jersey State Attorney General's Guidelines, supersedes all previously
issued rules and regulations. The reissuance and modification of the Robbinsville
Township Police Department's Rules and Regulations is not intended to
diminish or dismiss any prior pleas or convictions for previous disciplinary
code violations. Any previous convictions or violations documented under previously
issued versions of the Robbinsville Township Police Department's Rules
and Regulations are not waived, purged or reduced in any manner and remain
in effect. Past findings or pleadings of guilty for offenses similar to those
listed above may be considered by the hearing officer relative to the imposition
of sanction and in determining whether a course of conduct constitutes a first,
second, third, etc., offense.
