[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Cranbury 7-25-2005 by Ord. No. 07-05-19. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 7-14-2008 by Ord. No. 06-08-16; 4-24-2017 by Ord. No. 04-17-08]
There is hereby established and continued in and for the Township a Department of Police, also known as the "Cranbury Police Department," consisting of a Chief of Police, a Deputy Chief, up to two Captains, up to two Lieutenants, up to six Sergeants and up to 20 patrol officers as shall be determined from time to time by the Township Committee. All sworn officers, i.e., the Chief, Deputy Chief, Lieutenants, Captain, Sergeants and patrol officers (probationary and permanent), may be referred to as "members." New members are sworn officers who are serving during the first year of their initial appointment. In addition, the Police Department may be supported by civilian employees, including police dispatchers, a public safety technician, up to two administrative assistants, a police records clerk, a secretary and a clerk/typist. The responsibilities of the members and civilian employees shall be as set forth in this chapter and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to § 5-6 of this chapter. Any member or civilian employee (if applicable) of the Police Department may be assigned to patrol, investigative, traffic, detective/plainclothes, administrative or other tasks as determined by the Chief of Police.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118, the Township Committee is designated as the appropriate authority with the powers consistent with the law and with this chapter.
A. 
The Chief of Police shall be the executive head of the Department and shall have complete authority regarding the technical operations, personnel assignments and day-to-day operations of the Police Department in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118. With respect to other matters, the Chief shall consult and cooperate with the Township Administrator as provided in § 3-3A(1) and B of this Code. The Chief shall be responsible to the appropriate authority, which may communicate with the Chief through the Administrator or a designated member of the Township Committee, for the conduct, efficiency and management of the Department, for the enforcement of the rules and regulations governing the Department and for the carrying out of all lawful orders and instructions of the appropriate authority.
B. 
The Chief shall have the authority and duties imposed by law and as set forth in the rules and regulations of the Department. The Chief shall adopt and implement, and amend from time to time, internal affairs guidelines which shall be consistent with the guidelines governing the "Internal Affairs Policy and Procedures" of the Police Management Manual and other directives promulgated by the Police Bureau of the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Public Safety.
[Amended 7-14-2008 by Ord. No. 06-08-16]
A. 
New members shall be initially appointed and all candidates for any office shall be appointed by the Township Committee to serve in a probationary capacity for a period of one year from the date of appointment except when, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:17B-69, said one-year limit may be exceeded. For the purpose of this chapter, members who have probationary appointments shall not be considered to have been permanently appointed to the new office until their appointment has been made permanent by further resolution of the Township Committee.
B. 
Candidates shall be drawn from an eligibility list established through a process posted and promulgated by the Chief of Police set forth in a Department General Order and included in the Standard Operating Procedures. Candidates for and members of the Police Department shall have all other qualifications prescribed by law, including but not limited to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-122.
[Amended 5-29-2018 by Ord. No. 05-18-10]
C. 
Every member of the Police Department shall be a resident of the State of New Jersey while serving in such position, as required by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-122.8. New members appointed shall be residents of the State of New Jersey at the time of their appointment and thereafter, unless otherwise qualified by reason of service in the Armed Services of the United States as provided by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-123.1.
D. 
Members of the Police Department shall have the powers and duties prescribed by law and shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the Department and all other applicable ordinances of the Township.
E. 
Members shall be paid in accordance with the annual Salary Resolution, within the guidelines set forth in the Salary Ordinance, or any applicable collective bargaining agreement.
F. 
No person shall be appointed or promoted to a command or supervisory position above patrol officer unless he or she shall have demonstrated an aptitude for such position. Notices of promotional opportunities to Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain shall be posted and promulgated by the Chief of Police in accordance with procedures set forth in a Department General Order and included in the Standard Operating Procedures. Successful candidates for these positions will be recommended to the Township Committee. If the Township Committee promotes the candidate, the promotion shall be subject to a twelve-month probationary status under which the officer shall be given the title and compensation of the office during which the Chief may return the officer to the lesser rank without notice or hearing.
[Amended 4-24-2017 by Ord. No. 04-17-08; 5-29-2018 by Ord. No. 05-18-10]
A. 
The Township Committee may appoint special law enforcement Officers (also known as special police officers), who shall be qualified and trained as required by N.J.S.A. 40A: 14-146.8 et seq. Special police officers shall be appointed for terms not exceeding one year, subject to the revocation procedures set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A: 14-146.8 et seq.
B. 
Special police officers shall not be regular members of the Police Department and shall perform only such duties as directed by the Chief of Police.
C. 
Special police officers shall be paid in accordance with the annual Salary Resolution within the guidelines set forth in the Salary Ordinance.
A. 
The Township Committee, as appropriate authority, for the purpose of the orderly administration of the Police Department, may, by resolution, adopt by reference, as if set forth at length herein, rules and regulations known as the "Cranbury Township Police Manual," a copy of which shall be kept on file in the office of the Township Clerk and three copies of which shall be kept on file in the office of the Chief of Police. The Police Manual may be amended and supplemented by resolution of the appropriate authority. The Chief of Police shall have the authority to prepare and propose to the appropriate authority such additional rules, regulations and procedures as the Chief shall deem necessary to promote the efficiency of the Department.
B. 
The provisions of the Police Manual shall be binding upon each member and civilian employee of the Police Department and all special law enforcement officers. Each member and civilian employee of the Police Department and each special law enforcement officer shall be presented with a copy of the Police Manual, together with any amendments or additions thereto as the same are adopted by resolution of the appropriate authority.
C. 
In the event of any inconsistency between this chapter and the Police Manual, the provisions of this chapter shall control.
A. 
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147 et seq., no permanent member or officer of the Police Department shall be removed, suspended or reduced in rank from or in office, employment or position, or fined for political reasons or for any cause other than incapacity, misconduct or disobedience of the rules and regulations established for the government of the Department, and then only upon action by the appropriate authority and written complaint setting forth the charge or charges against each member, which shall be signed by the Chief or designee. This complaint shall be filed in the office of the Chief of Police, and a copy thereof shall be served upon such member with notice of a designated hearing thereon by the appropriate authority. The hearing shall be not less than 10 nor more than 30 days after the service of the complaint; the appropriate authority and the member may agree to reasonable postponements. The member against whom a complaint is made shall be given every reasonable opportunity to make any defense the member has or chooses to make during the hearing by the appropriate authority.
[Amended 7-14-2008 by Ord. No. 06-08-16]
B. 
The appropriate authority shall have the authority to designate a hearing officer to conduct hearings, receive testimony and other evidence, compile a list of exhibits and make findings and recommendations to the appropriate authority. The findings and recommendations of the hearing officer acting for the appropriate authority shall be referred to the appropriate authority for final determination based upon the record established by the hearing officer. The appropriate authority shall have the power and authority to affirm, reverse or modify the findings and recommendations of the hearing officer. All determinations of the appropriate authority shall be final. Review of final determinations may be appealed to the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey as provided by law.
C. 
A complaint charging a violation of the Department's internal rules and regulations shall be filed no later than the forty-fifth day after the date on which the person filing the complaint obtains sufficient information to file the matter upon which the complaint is based. The forty-five-day time limit shall not apply if an investigation of a member for a violation of the rules and regulations is included directly or indirectly in a concurrent investigation of that member for a violation of the criminal laws of New Jersey, in which case the forty-five-day limit shall begin to run on the day after the disposition of the criminal investigation. The forty-five-day requirement of this subsection for the filing of a complaint against a member shall not apply to the filing of a complaint by a private individual. Failure to comply with the above provisions as to service of the complaint and the time within which the complaint is to be filed shall require a dismissal of the complaint.
D. 
In any instance involving a complaint charging a minor infraction of a rule or regulation, or directive of a superior officer, committed in the day-to-day operation of the Police Department, the member charged may, nevertheless, by writing signed by the member and filed in the office of the Chief of Police, admit conduct constituting grounds for disciplinary action, and request a waiver of the right to have a written complaint filed and served and to have a hearing thereon by the appropriate authority, and consent to a summary penalty imposed against the member by the Chief of Police or designee, which penalty shall not exceed a suspension of more than five working days without pay.
E. 
Any member of the Police Department may, by writing signed by the member and filed in the office of the Chief of Police, waive the right to a hearing and appeal the charges directly to any available authority specified by law or regulation, or follow any other procedure recognized by a collective bargaining agreement or as otherwise permitted by law.
F. 
Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, and depending upon the circumstances, a member of the Police Department may, pursuant to the required procedures set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147 et seq. and the rules and regulations of the Police Department, be suspended with or without pay pending a hearing as a result of the charges made against the member.
G. 
Mission statement. The mission of the Cranbury Township Police Department is to provide effective and efficient police services through a partnership with the community, to prevent and deter crime as well as reduce the fear of crime, to protect property and individual rights, and to improve traffic safety through education and enforcement.
[Added 4-8-2013 by Ord. No. 03-13-09]
H. 
Core values.
[Added 4-8-2013 by Ord. No. 03-13-09]
(1) 
Integrity: We are committed to maintaining the trust of our community through honest, moral and ethical behavior that is above reproach.
(2) 
Respect: We are dedicated to being objective, fair, consistent, and compassionate in the treatment of our community and fellow employees in all of our actions.
(3) 
Professionalism: In partnership with the community, we strive to provide responsive, effective and quality service through teamwork, problem solving, and personal accountability.
I. 
Vision statement.
[Added 4-8-2013 by Ord. No. 03-13-09]
(1) 
The Cranbury Township Police Department is staffed with the finest men and women in law enforcement.
(2) 
We will provide a level of service which is second to none. We will deliver a progressive and cost-effective law enforcement service as well as identifying and meeting the challenges of our community. We will continue to seek input from our citizens and employees in hopes of improving the lives of our Township residents and guests.
(3) 
To achieve this vision, the Cranbury Township Police Department is dedicated to sustaining a quality and equitable work environment that is based on merit, and developing its members through effective training and leadership.
[Amended 12-20-2010 by Ord. No. 12-10-19; 5-23-2022 by Ord. No. 05-22-06; 9-29-2025 by Ord. No. 09-25-11]
A. 
Police officers of the Cranbury Township Police Department shall be available for private duty service for special events, road closings, traffic duties, security at private parties or events or similar functions. Payment for services shall be as follows:
(1) 
The fee to be paid to the Township for such services shall be $105 per hour. Of this amount, $90 per hour shall be paid to the police officer providing the service and $15 per hour shall be retained by the Township.
(2) 
The minimum amount of time for which police officers may be hired shall be four hours per officer. Employees who work in excess of eight hours per day for the same person shall be paid 1 1/2 times the rate for hours worked in excess of eight hours.
(3) 
A request for a marked or unmarked police vehicle is $50 per day up to eight hours and an additional $25 for over eight hours.
B. 
A four-hour charge at $105 per hour will be assessed if a job cancellation notice is not received and time stamped by the Cranbury Township Police Headquarters at least three hours prior to the scheduled starting time.
C. 
The scheduling of officers for private duty shall be subject to the approval of the Chief, Captain or Lieutenant.
The Chief of Police or designee shall establish a drug screening procedure for applicants and employees of the Police Department. The drug testing policy shall be reviewed and approved by the Office of the Middlesex County Prosecutor. The policy shall be adopted as a part of the Police Department's rules and regulations and shall be amended from time to time so as to insure that applicants to said Department and the Department's sworn law enforcement and other personnel are drug free.
A. 
Where the Township Committee determines that the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-155 require that the Township provide a means of defense or reimburse a police officer for legal costs, the hourly rate for which the Township will be responsible shall not exceed the hourly rate charged by the Township Attorney for litigation matters.
B. 
All statements for professional services submitted by attorneys representing police officers under this section shall be subject to review and approval by the Township Attorney and the Township Administrator.
[Added 1-28-2008 by Ord. No. 01-08-02]
A. 
Creation of Office. Within the Department of Police there shall be an Office of Emergency Management, which will be supervised by the Emergency Management Coordinator.
B. 
Emergency Management Coordinator. The Emergency Management Coordinator shall have such powers and duties as are established by the Department of Police. The Emergency Management Coordinator shall be the Chief of Police, who shall receive no additional compensation for said title. In the event that the Chief of Police is not a resident of Middlesex County, then the next-highest-ranking officer in the Department of Police shall serve as the Emergency Management Coordinator.
C. 
Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.). General orders issued by the Chief of Police, as same may be amended and supplemented from time to time, shall establish the duties and responsibilities of C.E.R.T. members. When performing said duties and responsibilities, the C.E.R.T. members shall be under the supervision, and respond to the direction of, the Emergency Management Coordinator.
[Added 9-8-2008 by Ord. No. 08-08-18]
A. 
Establishment. There is hereby established in the Township a volunteer Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.). C.E.R.T. shall consist of up to 50 members. C.E.R.T., and its members, shall be under the supervision, and respond to the direction of, the Township's Emergency Management Coordinator.
B. 
Appointments. Members shall be appointed to C.E.R.T. by the Township Committee and shall serve terms of one year. C.E.R.T. members serve at the will of the Chief of Police.
C. 
Duties and responsibilities.
(1) 
The duties and responsibilities of C.E.R.T. members shall include:
(a) 
Active members: C.E.R.T. members that are physically able and willing to commit to field operations (directing traffic, administering first aid and other physical activity).
(b) 
Auxiliary members: C.E.R.T. members that can assist with clerical and logistical duties (answering telephones, serving food and other logistical activities).
(c) 
Trained-only members: C.E.R.T. members who only wish to receive C.E.R.T. training at this time.
(2) 
The members shall perform such further duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Township's Emergency Management Coordinator or his/her designee.
D. 
Insurance coverage. When performing their duties and responsibilities for the Township, C.E.R.T. members shall be included in, and covered by, the Township's general liability and workers' compensation insurance plans as emergency management volunteers, to the extent permissible under New Jersey law, as same may be amended from time to time.
[Added 4-8-2024 by Ord. No. 03-24-06]
A. 
The position of Police Chaplain for the Township of Cranbury is hereby created in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-141. The position will be a volunteer position. The Police Chaplain shall be under the supervision of the Chief of Police.
B. 
The Chaplain shall have basic training and shall be a certified Police Chaplain and qualified in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-141.
C. 
The duties of the Police Chaplain shall include, but not be limited to, assisting the Cranbury Police Department in critical incident debriefing, death notifications, and/or any other duties that may be assigned by the Chief of Police.
D. 
Any person appointed as Chaplain shall serve in that capacity without rank or salary.
E. 
Every three years, the Chief of Police shall recommend to the Mayor any qualified individual pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-141 for the position. All applicants for the position shall be reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Chief of Police shall make the recommendation to the governing body. The Mayor shall appoint the Police Chaplain accordingly with the advice and consent of the Township Committee.
F. 
A person appointed as Chaplain shall serve for a period of three years from the date of appointment. The Chaplain may resign at any time after providing the Township with 30 days' notice. The Township can terminate the Chaplain at any time and may reappoint the Chaplain upon expiration of the term with the recommendation of the Chief of Police.