The Police Department shall preserve the public
peace; protect life and property; detect, arrest and prosecute offenders
of the laws of New Jersey and the ordinances of Springfield Township;
direct and control traffic; provide attendance and protection during
emergencies; provide appearances in court; cooperate with all other
law enforcement agencies; and provide training for the efficiency
of its members and officers.
[Added 11-9-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-12]
A. Qualifications. Specific entrance qualifications for persons to be
appointed as regular members of the Police Department shall be as
follows:
(1) United States citizenship.
(2) A resident of the State of New Jersey pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-122.8.
(3) Age of not less than 18 years nor more than 35 years. However, age
restrictions shall not conflict with current state or federal law
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-127.
(4) A minimum of a high school diploma or a GED equivalent shall be required
at the time of the written test.
(5) The applicant must pass a physical agility test which determines
that the applicant has adequate height, weight, strength and endurance
for the performance of essential job functions.
(6) Vision and hearing adequate to perform essential job functions.
(7) If an applicant has a criminal conviction, other than a disqualifying
conviction pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:51-2, the Springfield Township
Police Department shall investigate such record and consider such
factors as may be required by law to determine whether the applicant
is qualified.
(8) The applicant must possess a valid motor vehicle license that is
in good standing and issued by this state.
(9) The applicant must be able to pass a psychological and/or psychiatric
evaluation prior to appointment as a regular police officer.
(10)
The applicant must be able to pass a comprehensive medical examination
prior to appointment as a regular police officer.
B. Application process. All applicants for appointment as regular members
of the Springfield Township Police Department must submit a completed
application for appointment to the Chief of Police. Said application
shall be on a form promulgated by the Chief of Police.
C. Examination process. Each applicant for appointment to the Police
Department shall undergo the following application process, in the
following order:
(1) Written examination.
(a)
A written examination for appointment as a regular police officer
will be conducted by a professional testing company as determined
by the Township Council, which will be established as the Springfield
Township Police Department's choice to conduct written examinations
for appointment, which are job-related and nondiscriminatory.
(b)
The professional testing company as determined by the Township
Council will be responsible for scoring the written test. The written
test is scored on a scale of one through 100.
(d)
Candidates must receive a passing score to continue their eligibility
for the examination process.
(2) Physical agility examination.
(a)
The physical agility test shall be conducted by members of the
Springfield Township Police Department as designated by the Chief
of Police.
(b)
All candidates for appointment who have qualified to participate
in the physical agility examination by obtaining a passing score of
70% or higher on the written examination shall be required to obtain
a certification from a physician, licensed in the State of New Jersey,
stating that the applicant is physically fit and able to engage in
strenuous exercise.
(c)
All exercises performed during the physical agility test shall
be job-related for the position of police officer.
(d)
The Springfield Township Police Department's physical agility
test shall be comprised of six events: push ups, sit ups, long jump
(broad jump), chin ups, a half mile run and an obstacle course.
(f)
Candidates must receive a passing score to continue their eligibility
for the examination process.
D. Scoring. Those individuals who have successfully passed both the
written and physical agility examinations shall have their scores
from both examinations combined and then averaged to produce an overall
score for this portion of the appointment process. Candidates shall
be ranked with the person achieving the highest overall score ranked
number one. The list of eligible candidates for consideration for
appointment will begin with the officer who finished number one in
the process.
E. Background examination: pass/fail.
(1) All background investigations for appointment to the position of
regular patrol officer shall be conducted by the Springfield Township
Police Department.
(2) The names of the top 10 candidates for appointment as established under §
5-61.1D shall be submitted to the Chief of Police for background investigation.
(3) As part of the background investigation process, each applicant shall
have his or her fingerprints taken and forwarded to the New Jersey
State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(4) Considered during the background investigation will include but not
be limited to:
(a)
Applicant's criminal record.
(b)
Applicant's driving history.
(c)
Applicant's prior law enforcement experience.
(d)
Applicant's prior work history.
(e)
Applicant's current and prior credit history.
(f)
Applicant's truthfulness in completing the application.
(5) Candidates must receive a passing result during their background
investigation in order to continue their eligibility for the examination
process.
(6) If any of the top 10 candidates for appointment fails their respective
background investigation, the name of the next candidate on the list
of eligible candidates shall be submitted to the Chief of Police for
background investigation.
(7) This process shall continue until the Chief of Police has established
a list of 10 candidates for appointment who have passed their background
investigation and are now eligible to continue to the oral interview
phase of the appointment process.
F. Oral interview: pass/fail.
(1) The oral interview shall be conducted by an interview board consisting
of the Chief of Police, one additional superior officer holding the
rank of Sergeant or higher within the Springfield Township Police
Department, to be designated by the Chief of Police, and one member
of the Township Council, to be appointed by the Township Council.
(2) No more than 10 candidates for appointment will be eligible to participate in the oral interview phase of the appointment process based on their overall scores pursuant to §
5-61.1D and who have successfully passed their background investigation.
(3) The oral interview shall consist of a review of the applicant's initial
application, background investigation, and a series of situational
questions to test the candidate's overall qualifications. Each member
of the oral interview panel shall consider the following factors when
scoring candidates during the oral interview process. Each factor
shall be uniformly considered and applied to all candidates.
(a)
Appearance, manner and bearing (10% of total score).
(b)
Self expression (10% of total score).
(c)
Judgment (20% of total score).
(d)
Decisiveness (20% of total score).
(e)
In-service and/or specialized training (20% of total score).
(f)
Scope and level of experience, including merit commendations
(20% of total score).
(4) Candidates must receive a passing score to continue their eligibility
for the examination process.
G. Medical examination: pass/fail. Candidates must receive a passing
result to continue their eligibility for the examination process.
H. Psychological and/or psychiatric examination: pass/fail. Candidates
must receive a passing result to continue their eligibility for the
examination process.
I. Mandatory substance abuse test: pass/fail. Candidates must receive
a passing result to continue their eligibility for the examination
process.
J. Training course required. A training course shall be required as
follows:
(1) No person shall be given or shall accept a permanent appointment
as a regular police officer unless such person has successfully completed
a police training course at a school approved and authorized by the
Police Training Commission in the State Department of Law and Public
Safety pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 52:17B-66 et seq.
(2) This subsection shall not prohibit the giving or accepting of a probationary
or temporary appointment as a police officer for a period not to exceed
six months to enable a person seeking a permanent appointment to complete
a police training course as prescribed by the Police Training Commission.
(3) Every person holding a probationary or temporary appointment as a
police officer in Springfield Township shall enroll in a police training
course as prescribed by the Police Training Commission, and such appointee
shall be entitled to a leave of absence with pay during the period
of the police training course.
(4) A person may be given and may accept a permanent, full-time appointment
as a regular police officer if such person has successfully completed
a police training course pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:17B-69.1 et seq.
(a)
The person being appointed or seeking appointment under these
circumstances must have successfully completed a basic course for
police officers from a police training school authorized by the Office
of the Attorney General, Department of Law and Public Safety, Division
of Criminal Justice, Police Training Commission, to conduct the alternate
route basic course for police officers, as that method is defined
and described by the Police Training Commission.
(b)
Such person must have previously completed the basic course
for police officers no more than three years prior to the date of
application for employment with the Springfield Township Police Department.
If such person was employed by a law enforcement agency prior to applying
for employment with the Springfield Township Police Department, there
must be no more than three years in any break in police service. An
individual who completed the basic course for police officers more
than three years prior to the date of application to the Springfield
Township Police Department, or had a break in service of more than
three years, shall be required to undergo retraining from a police
training school authorized by the Police Training Commission.
(c)
The hiring of any person who has successfully completed a basic
course for police officers shall be contingent upon receipt of a Police
Training Commission certificate permitting the exemption or waiver
of training/retraining in the basic course for police officers.
(d)
Any person applying for a position with the Springfield Township
Police Department under these circumstances shall still be required
to undergo any local testing, examination and training given and/or
required by the Springfield Township Police Department.
K. Appointment.
(1) A list of eligible candidates for appointment will be created based
on the candidate's oral interview, with consideration given to the
candidate's performance in the written examination, physical agility
examination and background investigation.
(2) The Chief of Police is not bound to make recommendations based solely
on the numerical rankings of the candidates who have successfully
completed the process.
(3) All recommendations for appointment as regular police officers shall
originate with the Chief of Police as head of the Police Department.
(4) All candidates recommended for appointment by the Chief of Police
must successfully pass a medical examination, psychological and/or
psychiatric examination and substance abuse test prior to appointment
as regular police officers with the Springfield Township Police Department.
L. Probationary period.
(1) All appointments to the position of regular police officer shall
be probationary from the date of hire and shall continue for one year
from the date of certification by the Police Training Commission.
However, if the applicant holds a valid certification at the time
of appointment, the probationary period shall be for one year from
the date of appointment by the Township Council.
(2) The probationary period may be extended by the Chief of Police, for
cause, for a period not to exceed one year. Upon the expiration of
the probationary term, the appointment shall become permanent unless,
at any time prior thereto, the probationary appointment is terminated
by the Chief of Police.
M. Oath of allegiance. Any member appointed or hired shall, as a requisite
to becoming a member of the Police Department and before entering
upon his duties as such, take and subscribe to the oath of allegiance,
as set forth in N.J.S.A. 41:1-1, and shall further swear or affirm
to abide by, uphold and enforce the ordinances of the Township, including
the provisions of this article, and to further swear or affirm to
faithfully, impartially and justly perform all the duties of his position
or office to the best of his ability. Such oath or affirmation shall
be filed with the Township Clerk.
N. Waiver of written examination. Notwithstanding other provisions of
this section:
[Added 3-14-2014 by Ord.
No. 2014-02]
(1) Regular police officers currently in good standing with or released in good standing due to a reduction in force from another New Jersey Police Department meeting all of the requirements of Subsections
A and
B may have the requirement for a written examination waived provided that the score from their original written examination, if any, is available for consideration and provided, further, that the candidate has successfully completed the required training pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:17B-66 et seq. The Chief of Police, notwithstanding the lack of a prior written examination or unavailability of the written examination score, may grant a waiver if he is otherwise satisfied that the candidate possesses the requisite knowledge, the candidate has not less than two years of experience as a full-time Police Training Commission certified officer and that a reasonable basis for waiving the written examination exists. Candidates who have had the requirement of a written examination waived, in addition to meeting the requirements of Subsections
A and
B, shall also be required to meet the requirements of Subsection
C(2) and Subsections
D through
J.
(2) Candidates who have received a waiver of the written examination
pursuant to this section and passed their physical agility examination
shall be eligible to proceed to the oral interview phase of the appointment
process upon satisfactory passing of the background examination notwithstanding
that a list of 10 candidates may not have been established.
[Added 11-9-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-12]
A. Promotion eligibility.
(1) A uniformed police officer of this Police Department must serve at
least five years with the department as a basic uniformed police officer
with at least 50% of his or her time as a full time officer before
becoming eligible for promotion to the rank of Sergeant.
[Amended 10-11-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-06]
(2) Supervisory personnel with a rank greater than patrol officer (Sergeants
and Lieutenants) shall not be eligible for additional promotion until
they have completed at least one year of service in that grade.
(3) Candidates for promotion must have completed their necessary year(s)
of service as set forth in this section prior to the start of the
promotional testing procedures.
(4) When the length-of-service standards of this section provide two
or fewer candidates for a promotional examination, the Chief of Police
may open the examination to members of the Police Department in the
next lower rank who meet the criteria set forth in this section.
(5) Candidates who have completed their necessary year(s) of service
with this Police Department as set forth in this section and who are
desirous of competing in the promotional testing shall indicate in
writing their intent to take part in the process and submit same to
the Chief of Police.
(6) In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-129, due consideration shall be
given to the length and merit of service, and preference shall be
given according to seniority of service within this Police Department
during promotional testing procedures.
(7) A candidate for promotion must successfully pass all sections of
the promotional testing procedures prior to being eligible for promotion.
(8) The Chief of Police may designate a patrol officer to act in the capacity of a Sergeant or designate a Sergeant to act in the capacity of Lieutenant until such time as there is an officer who has met the length of service in rank as set forth in §
5-61.2A(1) and
(2).
(9) All promotions in the Police Department shall be made on the basis
of general qualifications, service record and examination to determine
police knowledge, skills, abilities and methods.
(10)
The Chief of Police recognizes, maintains and asserts the right
to recommend for promotion within the top three ranked individuals
after completion of the entire testing process, based on previous
evaluations, job performance, leadership qualities, disciplinary history
and attendance record. The list of eligible candidates for promotion
will be adjusted after each selection by the Chief of Police to maintain
a ranking of first through last based on the overall scores of the
remaining candidates for promotion.
(11)
The Chief of Police is not bound to make recommendations based
solely on the numerical rankings of the officers who have successfully
completed the process.
(12)
The list of eligible officer(s) for consideration for promotion
will begin with the officer who finished number one in the process.
(13)
A list of those candidates who successfully pass all phases
of the promotional process shall be maintained for a period of two
years from the date of the completion of the written test.
(14)
If a position in the Police Department becomes vacant within
two years from the date of completion of the written test, the Chief
of Police shall make his recommendation from those remaining and available
officers.
B. Promotional criteria.
(1) The promotional criteria for the ranks of Sergeant and Lieutenant
shall include but not be limited to the following:
(a)
Eligibility for promotion.
(f)
Psychological and/or psychiatric examination certifying the
candidate's fitness for the duty.
(2) Each candidate for promotion shall be required to meet all the eligibility
requirements and successfully pass the written examination, oral interview
and psychological and/or psychiatric examination prior to being placed
within the promotion list or actually being promoted.
(3) Review and appeal by employees of adverse decisions for eligibility,
review of written exams and any facets of promotional procedure will
follow the grievance adjustment procedure as outlined in the agreement
between Springfield Township and the current collective bargaining
agreement.
(4) Each candidate shall be permitted a review of the testing key, provided
it is authorized by the testing agency.
C. Examination for promotion for Lieutenant and Sergeant.
(1) Written examination (50% of total weighted score).
(a)
A written examination for the ranks of Lieutenant and Sergeant
will be conducted by a professional testing company, as determined
by Township Council, which will be established as the Springfield
Township Police Department's choice to conduct written examinations
for promotion, which are job-related and nondiscriminatory.
(b)
The professional testing company as determined by the Township
Council will be responsible for scoring the written test.
(c)
The maximum obtainable score for the written examination shall
be 100%.
(d)
The professional testing company as determined by the Township
Council will provide study guides and a book list of sources for study
purposes.
(e)
Each candidate will be allowed a minimum of six weeks from the
date of the promotional announcement to the date when the written
test is given.
(f)
All eligible candidates for the ranks of Lieutenant and Sergeant
who achieve a score of 70% or higher on the written examination will
be eligible to advance in the selection process as detailed below.
(g)
Candidates who receive written test scores of 70% or above and
who want to proceed in the selection process shall submit, in memorandum
form, a memorandum detailing their respective experiences with the
Springfield Township Police Department. This memorandum should reflect
the assignments held by each individual within the Department and
a description of any program or programs that the individual participated
in or initiated. Additionally, such things as productivity, attendance,
experience, education, training and departmental awards should be
mentioned in this writing. This memorandum shall be submitted to the
Chief of Police at least two weeks prior to the date of the oral Interview.
These memoranda will be reviewed for accuracy by the Chief of Police
or his/her designee and will be forwarded to the oral Interview panel
for its review and use during the oral interviews.
(h)
Candidates for the rank of Lieutenant and Sergeant who achieve
a score of 70% or above on the written examination and advise the
Chief of Police that they wish to proceed in the promotional process
will be further evaluated in the following three areas: oral interview,
seniority, and education. Each of these areas and their respective
ranking and weights are defined as follows.
(2) Oral interview (50% of total weighted score).
(a)
Candidates for the position of Lieutenant and Sergeant who achieve
a score of 70% or higher on the written examination will be interviewed
by a panel consisting of the Chief of Police and one active and/or
retired member of the law enforcement community, selected by the Chief
of Police, who possesses a minimum of 20 years of law enforcement
experience and has obtained the rank of Captain or higher, whom the
Chief of Police deems qualified to assist him/her with this selection
process, and one member of the Township Council appointed by the Township
Council. Candidates will be interviewed for a minimum of 45 minutes.
(b)
The scheduling of these interviews will be announced when the
actual number of individuals to be interviewed is determined after
the written examination.
(c)
The posting of the dates and times of the oral interviews shall
contain a list of publications related to the issues of supervision,
organization, and command that each candidate can utilize in preparing
for his/her oral interview.
(d)
Each candidate for promotion shall appear in his/her departmental
Class 1 uniform for his/her scheduled oral interview.
(e)
Subject matter for these interviews will include, but will not
be limited to, general principles of supervision, command, leadership,
organization, planning, budgeting, criminal law, state and federal
court decisions, the United States Constitution and the New Jersey
State Constitution, rules of evidence, court rules, Title 39, Title
40, and Title 2C of the statutes of the State of New Jersey and the
Springfield Township Police Departmental rules, regulations, policies
and procedures, the Springfield Township Borough municipal ordinances
and current policies, procedures and directives of the State of New
Jersey Attorney General and the Burlington County Prosecutor.
(f)
During the oral interview, candidates will be asked questions based the subject matter outlined in §
5-61.2C(2)(e) and graded on the response given.
(g)
Each member of the oral interview panel will be provided with a copy of each candidate's memorandum as referenced in §
5-61.2C(1)(g) to be utilized as part of the oral interview process.
(h)
The oral interview panel will also have access to the information
contained in each candidate's personnel file, including but not limited
to prior evaluations by supervisors, disciplinary action, commendations
and awards, and any other information commonly available in the candidate's
personnel file.
(i)
Each candidate shall be interviewed by the oral interview panel
under similar conditions in order to evaluate the merit and fitness
of such candidate for promotion.
(j)
Each member of the oral interview panel shall consider the following
factors when scoring candidates during the oral interview process.
Each factor shall be uniformly considered and applied to all candidates.
[1]
Appearance, manner and bearing (10% of total score).
[2]
Self expression (10% of total score).
[3]
Judgment (20% of total score)
[4]
Decisiveness (20% of total score).
[5]
In-service and/or specialized training (20% of total score).
[6]
Scope and level of experience, including merit commendations
(20% of total score).
(k)
Each member of the oral interview panel shall assign a score
between one and 100 to each candidate. These three scores will then
be combined and then averaged to obtain the candidate's overall score
for the oral interview.
(l)
Candidates for the position of Lieutenant and Sergeant must
achieve a score of 70% or higher during their oral interview to be
considered eligible for promotion and continue in the promotional
process.
(3) Seniority and educational background. Additional points will be added to the candidate's overall score, independent of the possible top score of 100 in the written examination and oral interview as referenced in §
5-61.2C(1) and
(2), based on the candidate's seniority and educational background, utilizing the following criteria:
(a)
Seniority.
[1]
Seniority for the rank of Sergeant is defined as time with the
Springfield Township Police Department at the rank of patrolman. Candidates
with equal time at the rank of patrolman will receive equal rankings.
[2]
Seniority for the rank of Lieutenant is defined as time with
the Springfield Township Police Department at the rank of Sergeant.
Candidates with equal time at the rank of Sergeant will receive equal
rankings.
[3]
Seniority points will be given for fully completed years of
service on the Springfield Township Police Department as of the announced
closing date for eligibility to take the written test as follows:
|
Completed Year of Service
|
Seniority Points
|
---|
|
5
|
0.25
|
|
6
|
0.50
|
|
7
|
0.75
|
|
8
|
1.00
|
|
9
|
1.25
|
|
10
|
1.50
|
|
11
|
1.75
|
|
12
|
2.00
|
|
13
|
2.25
|
|
14
|
2.50
|
|
15
|
2.75
|
|
16
|
3.00
|
|
17
|
3.25
|
|
18
|
3.50
|
|
19
|
3.75
|
|
20
|
4.00
|
|
21
|
4.25
|
|
22
|
4.50
|
|
23
|
4.75
|
|
24
|
5.00
|
|
25
|
5.25
|
|
26
|
5.50
|
|
27
|
5.75
|
|
28
|
6.00
|
|
29
|
6.25
|
|
30
|
6.50
|
[4]
Candidates for promotion who have 31 or more years of completed
service will receive 0.25 seniority point for each additional fully
completed year of service.
(b)
Education.
[1]
Candidates shall be ranked against competing candidates based
upon the level of education attained. Candidates will receive the
following ranking for their respective levels of education:
[a] High school diplomas or GED equivalent: one.
[b] Associates degree(s) or in excess of 63 college
credits accumulated towards a bachelor's degree: two.
[c] Bachelor's degree: three.
[d] Master's degree(s): four.
[e] Ph.D. or J.D. degree(s): five.
[2]
The ranking for any category shall not exceed the number at
the end of each category. By way of example, if a candidate has two
associates degrees, his ranking will be two and not four.
[3]
For degrees or college credits accumulated towards a bachelor's
degree, said degree or college credits must be received from a college
whose accreditation meets the standards set for college accreditation
by the State of New Jersey.
[4]
Candidates who intend to assert their level of education attained
as part of this promotional process shall be required to have an original
copy of their college transcripts forwarded to the Chief of Police
from their respective college or university. The early submission
of this information will allow for the resolution of any conflicts
prior to the start of the selection process and will avoid any delay
in the final tabulation of overall scores.
(4) Scoring.
(a)
Those individuals who have successfully passed both the written
examination and oral interview shall have their scores from both examinations
combined. Additional points for seniority and educational background
will then be added to establish each candidate's combined score to
produce an overall score for the promotional process. Candidates shall
be ranked with the person achieving the highest overall score ranked
number one. The list of eligible officer(s) for consideration for
promotion will begin with the officer who finished number one in the
process.
(b)
The Chief of Police shall certify the composite score of each
candidate and shall post the same in a conspicuous place in police
headquarters, indicating the order of finish of the candidates; such
list shall be posted within 30 days after the completion of all tests
and interviews.
(c)
Any candidate, upon written request to the Chief of Police within
five working days of the posting of such results, shall be entitled
to a review of his/her test scores and ranking with the Chief of Police
or his/her designee.
(d)
For each promotion, the Chief of Police shall consider the first
three names of candidates standing highest on the list of eligible
candidates. The Chief of Police shall select one of the three eligible
candidates. In the event that the candidates have the same score,
preference shall be given to Borough of Springfield Township residents,
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-122.6.
D. Procedure for promotion to the rank of Chief of Police.
(1) Eligibility requirements. All candidates for promotion to the rank
of Chief must meet the following eligibility requirements:
(a)
A member of this Police Department must serve at least five
years with this Police Department before becoming eligible for promotion
to the rank of Chief.
(b)
Supervisory personnel with a rank greater than patrol officer
(Sergeants and Lieutenants) shall not be eligible for additional promotion
until they have completed at least one year of service in that grade.
Candidates may participate in the selection process but shall not
be promoted until they have completed one year of service in the present
rank.
(c)
When the length-of-service standards established in this section
provide two or fewer candidates for the promotional selection process
to the rank of Chief, the Township Manager may open the selection
process to members of the Police Department in the next lower rank
who meet the criteria set forth in this section.
(2) Promotional selection process.
(a)
Personnel eligible for promotion to the rank of Chief who wish
to participate in the promotional selection process shall provide
written notification to the Manager of their intention to compete
for the vacant position. This notice of intent shall be completed
on a Springfield Township Police Department official report form and
shall be submitted to the Manager no later than 10 days from the date
of the promotional procedure announcement.
(b)
All eligible candidates for promotion to the rank of Chief shall
also be required to submit, in memorandum form, a memorandum detailing
their respective experiences with the Springfield Township Police
Department. This memorandum should reflect the assignments held by
each individual within the Department and a description of any program
or programs that the individual participated in or initiated. Additionally,
such things as productivity, attendance, experience, education, training
and departmental awards should be mentioned in this writing. This
memorandum shall be submitted to the Manager no later than four weeks
from the date of the promotional procedure announcement.
(c)
Candidates will be evaluated by the Manager and a reviewing
committee appointed by the Manager. The Manager and reviewing committee
shall consider the length of service and the merit and fitness of
all eligible candidates for possible promotion to the rank of Chief
as required and in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118 et seq. After
completion of the examination process, the Manager shall recommend
the candidate of his/her choice to be promoted to the rank of Chief
by the Township Council.
(3) Examination for promotion to Chief of Police.
(a)
The Township Manager shall appoint the reviewing committee,
which shall consist of at least three members, including one former
or current Chief of Police.
(b)
The testing procedure for the Chief of Police shall consist
of a written exam and an oral exam in which all candidates will be
given the same questions and a review of the candidate's service record,
education, merit and seniority.
[1]
Written examination. The written examination shall be supplied
and administered by a professional testing company, professional law
enforcement organization or such other written examination approved
by the Township Manager. To proceed to the oral portion of the examination
procedure, a candidate must achieve a minimum score of 70%.
[2]
Oral interview.
[a] Candidates shall be notified in writing of their
successful or unsuccessful completion of the written portion of the
exam by the Township Manager.
[b] Candidates that have achieved a score of 70% on
the written exam shall be permitted to sit for an oral interview by
the reviewing committee. The oral interview shall take place after
the receipt of the written examination scores.
[3]
Interview with Township Council.
[a] Candidates must score at least 70 out of 100 in
the oral interview in order to proceed to the next step of the promotional
process.
[b] An interview with the Township Council shall focus
on leadership and management skills, knowledge of Springfield Township's
form of government, knowledge of the Police Department Ordinance,
familiarity with the municipal budget process and knowledge of N.J.S.A.
40A:14-118.
[4]
Record review.
[a] Candidates that successfully achieved 70% on the
written exam and 70% on the oral exam shall proceed to the next step
in the promotional process, the review of service record.
[b] The reviewing committee shall examine the length
and merit of the candidate's service. The examination process shall
give specific weight to performance evaluations, seniority, military
service, demonstrated leadership ability, education and disciplinary
history.
[c] The weight or percentage of each portion of the
process shall be as follows:
|
Type
|
Weight
|
---|
|
Written test
|
30%
|
|
Oral exam
|
30%
|
|
Interview with Township Council
|
30%
|
|
Record review
|
10%
|
E. Promotion notifications.
(1) Whenever any promotional examination is to be conducted, the Manager
shall notify the eligible members of this Police Department of the
vacancy and the promotional examinations, criteria, evaluations and
procedures to be employed in filling the vacancy.
(2) This notification shall be contained in a written announcement that
shall either be posted in a prominent location within the Police Department
available to all personnel and/or shall be issued to each eligible
candidate personally.
(3) This written notification shall be issued at least six weeks prior
to the date of the written examination.
(4) This written notification will include but not be limited to the
job title opening, date, time and location of the exams, eligibility
requirements and the process to be used. These notices will include
the numerical weight(s) assigned to each part of the promotional procedure.
(5) Personnel eligible for promotion who wish to participate in the promotional
process shall provide written notification to the Manager of their
intention to compete for the vacant position. This notice of intent
shall be completed on a Springfield Township Police Department official
report form and shall be submitted to the Manager no later than 10
days from the date of the promotional procedure announcement.
(6) This preliminary notice of intent shall include the officer's hiring
date as a police officer with Springfield Township and the level of
education that he/she intends to assert during this selection process
and should be submitted to the Manager no later than four weeks prior
to the date of the written examination. The early submission of this
information will allow the Chief of Police or his/her designee to
verify the information contained in the individual's personnel file.
The early submission of this information will allow for the resolution
of any conflicts prior to the start of the selection process and will
avoid any delay in the final tabulation of overall scores.
(7) Upon completion of promotional testing procedures, all eligible candidates
for promotion shall be notified in writing of their score and of their
ranking within those eligible for promotion to the vacant position.
F. Preference to residents. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-122.6,
when a resident and a nonresident of Springfield Township have achieved
the same final score in the promotional testing procedures, the resident
of Springfield Township shall be ranked above the nonresident.
(1) If a tie still exists because two or more candidates are residents,
the officer's written test score will be used as a tiebreaker.
(2) If a tie still exists after utilizing the officer's written test
score, the officer's oral interview score will be used as a tiebreaker.
(3) If a tie still exists after utilizing the officer's written test
and oral interview scores, the officer's date of hire in the Police
Department will be used as a tiebreaker.
G. Psychological and/or psychiatric examination. All candidates for
promotion must pass a psychological and/or psychiatric examination
certifying the candidate's fitness for duty prior to being recommended
for promotion by the Chief of Police.
H. Promotional appointments.
(1) The Chief of Police recognizes, maintains and asserts the right to
recommend for promotion to the Council one of the top three ranked
individuals for each vacancy after completion of the entire testing
process, based on previous evaluations, job performance, leadership
qualities, disciplinary history and attendance record. The list of
eligible candidates for promotion will be adjusted after each selection
by the Chief of Police to maintain a ranking of first through last
based on the overall scores of the remaining candidates for promotion.
(2) The Chief of Police shall only recommend for promotion from the list
of candidates who have successfully completed and passed all aspects
of the promotional testing procedures.
(3) The Chief of Police is not bound to make recommendations based solely
on the numerical rankings of the officers who have successfully completed
the process.
(4) All recommendations for promotion will originate from the Chief of
Police, who shall forward the names of the recommended candidate(s)
to the Township Council for appointment.