[Amended 3-16-1987 by Ord. No. 6-87; 3-2-1987 by Ord. No. 7-87; 1-19-1988 by Ord. No. 2-88; 3-21-1988 by Ord. No. 10-88; 6-16-1988 by Ord. No.
20-88; 9-19-1988 by Ord. No. 45-88; 1-3-1989 by Ord. No. 70-88; 2-6-1989 by Ord. No. 3-89; 9-5-1989 by Ord. No. 30-89; 12-4-1989 by Ord. No.
45-89; 3-2-1992 by Ord. No. 4-92; 6-1-1992 by Ord. No. 21-92; 3-13-1995 by Ord. No. 10-95; 8-28-1995 by Ord. No. 49-95; 3-10-1997 by Ord. No.
7-97; 12-8-1997 by Ord. No. 43-97; 11-24-1997 by Ord. No. 45-97; 1-26-1998 by Ord. No. 11-98; 2-9-1998 by Ord. No. 14-98; 4-6-1998 by Ord. No. 22-98; 10-13-1998 by Ord. No. 76-98; 2-22-1999 by Ord. No. 7-99; 10-23-2000 by Ord. No. 49-00; 1-28-2002 by Ord. No. 04-02; 1-26-2004 by Ord. No. 03-04; 1-24-2005 by Ord. No. 02-05; 1-9-2006 by Ord. No. 38-2005; 9-24-2007 by Ord. No.
2007-20]
There shall be a Department of Police in accordance
with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118. The Director of the Department shall be
appointed by the Mayor with advice and consent of the Council.
A.
Personnel.
(1)
The Department of Police shall consist of the following
sworn personnel, within the guidelines of the budget:
[Amended 10-4-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-26]
(a)
A Chief of Police.
(b)
Captains, not to exceed four in number.
(c)
Lieutenants not to exceed eight in number.
[Amended 2-27-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-07]
(d)
Sergeants not to exceed 17 in number.
[Amended 2-27-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-07; 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-19; 7-12-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-17]
(e)
Patrol officers not to exceed 87 in number.
[Amended 2-27-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-07]
(2)
Nothing herein shall be deemed to compel the termination
(by layoff or otherwise) of any sworn officer.
B.
Appointment to the position of police officer shall
be made by the Director in accordance with the procedures in this
article. The Director shall select from the list of qualified candidates
established in accordance with this article, in order of ranking.
All promotions to the rank of Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Chief
of Police shall be made in accordance with this article.
C.
All civilian employees performing police functions
within the Department of Police shall be hired by the Director.
D.
The Chief of Police shall report to the "appropriate
authority," who shall be the Mayor, and as the appropriate authority
shall promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with N.J.S.A.
40A:14-118.
The Emergency Management Coordinators shall
be appointed by the Mayor in accordance with N.J.S.A. Appendix A:9-33
et seq. and shall operate under the Police Department.
[Amended 7-28-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-12]
A.
Eligibility.
(1)
No person shall be appointed as a member of the Old Bridge Township
Police Department unless he or she:
(a)
Is a citizen of the United States and a resident of New Jersey and
meets the age requirements pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-127.
(b)
Is sound in body and of good health sufficient to satisfy the Board
of Trustees of the Police and Fireman's Retirement System of New Jersey
as to his or her eligibility for membership in the retirement system.
(c)
Is able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently.
(d)
Is of good moral character and has not been convicted of any criminal
offense involving moral turpitude.
(e)
Is appointed without political influence from anyone (state,
local or federal).
(f)
Has the mental stability, free of any abnormalities, needed
to satisfactorily perform the job of a police officer.
(g)
Has completed and passed a written examination, physical fitness
testing, medical screening, psychological evaluation, oral interview,
complete background investigation and drug testing.
(h)
Education requirements. All college degrees and/or credits must
be from a college or university nationally recognized accredited institution
or agency by the U.S. Department of Education.
[1]
Bachelor's degree; or
[2]
Possess a minimum of 60 credits and two years of full time civilian
employment; or
[3]
Thirty credits and two years of military experience; or
[4]
Two years of active duty military service or serve in a "combat
zone" as defined under the State of New Jersey Department of Military
and Veterans Affairs, civil service preference clause, Numbers 1 through
14, and as may be amended in the future, with an honorable discharge.
B.
Required
tests.
(1)
All applicants for the position of entry level police officer will
be administered the following tests, which will be weighted as indicated:
(a)
Written test, 50%: to be administered by an outside agency in compliance
with the standards and guidelines set forth by the New Jersey Police
Training Commission. A minimum score of 75% must be attained in order
to qualify for the next phase, physical agility.
(b)
Physical agility, 50%: to be administered by the New Jersey State
Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP). A minimum score of 75%
must be obtained in order to qualify for the next phase, oral board.
The independent agency is to administer a test to comply with the
current ADA regulations.
(2)
Residency.
(a)
Residency shall be determined at the time the applicants sign
up for the testing procedure.
(b)
For purposes of this section, a person shall be considered a
resident if he or she has established a bona fide principal residence
within the Township of Old Bridge for at least 24 consecutive months
immediately preceding the date of his application. It is recognized
that the list will be reclassified prior to each appointment or batch
of appointments to insure that the applicant has continued to reside
in the Township of Old Bridge since his application.
(c)
All applicants determined to be a resident of Old Bridge Township pursuant to Subsection B(2)(a) and (b) above will receive one point which will be added to the final cumulative combined score of the written exam and physical exam. This is the only stage of the application process that the residency point is added.
(3)
Only applicants that meet the minimum eligibility requirements as outlined in Subsection A of this section and those who have successfully passed both testing phases (written and physical agility) and have a combined average grade of 80% or better will be eligible for hiring.
(4)
The Chief of Police will meet with the Mayor to determine the number
of eligible candidates that will advance to the next stage of the
application process based on the needs of the Police Department at
the time of the test. The candidates will be notified as to their
final number on the list and the number of eligible candidates that
will be provided applications. Nothing herein shall prevent the Chief
and Mayor from requesting additional applications from the list if
it is determined that there are not enough candidates to fulfill the
needs of the Department from the original list. This process will
avoid the need to perform unnecessary extensive backgrounds and draw
from the department's limited resources.
C.
Application.
(1)
Applicants as determined by the aggregate scores of the written and physical agility exam scores plus any additional points which the applicant is entitled to and are being offered the opportunity to continue in the process as determined pursuant to Subsection B(4) above will be notified. The applicant shall complete a detailed application which will be thoroughly investigated. Each applicant will be required to complete a waiver form allowing the release of all information concerning the candidate.
(2)
Failure to pass the background investigation will disqualify an applicant.
Major areas of concern which can lead to disqualification are:
(a)
Criminal history including local, state and federal;
(b)
Continuous poor driving record;
(c)
Falsification of any information required to be provided by
the applicant (given at any time);
(e)
Negative information uncovered by investigators.
(f)
Verification of at least three personal references.
(g)
Random drug urine screening analysis throughout the entire process.
(3)
A Detective shall prepare a background investigation report which
shall be forwarded to the Chief of Police for review.
(a)
Final determination as to the passage or failure of the background
investigation will be made by the Chief of Police.
(b)
Upon completion of all background investigations, all successful
candidates will have a formal interview scheduled before an interview
panel. The formal interview panel shall consist of the Mayor or Mayor's
Designee, Chief of Police or his designee and one Captain.
(c)
Panel members shall list the candidates based on their overall
performance in the interview process and provide a list of no less
than five and no more than 20 at the Mayor's request, along with any
related documentation and forward that on to the Mayor for review
and approval in accordance with the law.
D.
Applicants
which have been approved by the Mayor and offered a position will
be required to pass a medical examination and a psychological examination
prior to appointment.
(1)
The Chief of Police may remove any applicant from the applicant list
due to disqualification for medical or psychological reasons that
would preclude the applicant from effectively performing the duties
of a police officer.
(2)
The Chief of Police shall furnish to the Mayor any documentation
or reports supporting the removal request, prepared and signed by
a physician, psychologist or psychiatrist who is licensed in the State
of New Jersey.
(3)
The Chief of Police's submission shall include a finding that the
applicant is not qualified due to medical or psychological reasons
for police officer.
E.
New
appointees will be required to attend the Police Academy and serve
a probationary period for one year. The Police Academy shall be approved
and authorized by the Police Training Commission in the Department
of Law and Public Safety of the State of New Jersey.
F.
The
eligibility hiring list will be in rank order from highest to lowest
of the top candidates. The list shall be in effect two years from
the date of the written examination.
G.
The
Mayor shall have the sole discretion to utilize the list that is in
existence at any time during the two-year period or initiate a new
testing process.
H.
Alternate police testing and hiring.
[Amended 7-28-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-13]
(1)
The Alternate Route Program is a discretionary program that allows
the Mayor or his designee to hire individuals who have successfully
completed the Basic Course for Police Officers (BCPO) as set forth
by the Police Training Commission under the direction of the New Jersey
Division of Criminal Justice. The individual who successfully completes
the academy portion of the Alternate Route Program will be eligible
to apply for a regular full time position under this provision of
the Old Bridge Township Code. This enables the Township of Old Bridge
to consider candidates already trained without incurring the significant
financial and time commitment to train officers to supplement the
Old Bridge Township Police Department ranks.
(a)
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.
(b)
Additionally, the Township of Old Bridge recognizes the ever
changing demographics of the state and the community at large. The
diversity-related component of this hiring process is one factor which
the Mayor and/or his designee shall consider but is not determinative.
(c)
This process will allow the Chief of Police to target and recommend,
and the Mayor, his designee or Director of Police 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 premised on
the need to diversify the Old Bridge Police Department and maintain
an appropriate number of officers on the street.
(d)
The diversity-related component includes but is not limited
to race, gender, ethnicity, unique cultural background, bilingual
language skills, prior law enforcement experience in diverse communities.
This will support the need for diversity within the police force to
further gain the trust and confidence of the entire community, which
in turn will increase police effectiveness in serving and protecting
the Township of Old Bridge.
(e)
No person shall be hired under the Alternate Route Program unless
the candidate has completed the necessary Alternate Route Basic Course
(BCPO) requirements or SLEO II training with a waiver from the Police
Training Commission (PTC). Successfully completes agency training
and firearms qualifications by Old Bridge Township Police Department
or other qualified agency. The candidate, once hired, must receive
the Police Training Commission BCPO certificate from the school director
within his probationary period as so designated by the Chief of Police
or the employment will be terminated on or before the one-year anniversary.
No officer shall remain employed with the Old Bridge Township Police
Department without the PTC certificate.
(2)
Notwithstanding the eligibility hiring list process, the Mayor, Director
of Police or Mayors' designee, 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
for not more than six individuals each calendar year who have previously
completed a police training course certified by the New Jersey Police
Training Commission and have been individually recommended by the
Chief of Police.
(3)
The purpose of this subsection is to permit the hiring of individuals who are sworn officers in other jurisdictions or who have been or are eligible to be certified by the New Jersey Police Training Commission under the Alternate Route Program. These appointees must meet all standards set forth under § 5-98, Qualifications, of this article.
(4)
The following screening process will be utilized:
(a)
Alternate hiring candidates upon submission of an application
and an invitation from the Chief of Police will participate in the
oral interview process with the Chief of Police, Mayor or his designee
and one Captain; a background investigation; physical examination,
medical examination, and a psychological examination.
(b)
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 Old Bridge Township Police Department.
[Amended 7-28-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-12]
A.
Each
applicant shall comply with all the laws of the State of New Jersey
pertaining thereto. No person shall be given or accept a permanent
appointment as a police officer in the Township of Old Bridge unless
such person has first been given a probationary or temporary appointment
to such office for a period of one year and has successfully completed
a police training course at a school approved and authorized by the
Police Training Commission in the Department of Law and Public Safety
of the State of New Jersey, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter
56 of the Laws of 1961[1] and Township ordinances.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:17B-66 et seq.
B.
No
person shall be appointed to the Department of Police as a regular
or probationary member unless, at the time of making application,
he shall meet the age requirements of the New Jersey statutes, except
as provided by law in the case of veterans and meet the following
qualifications:
(1)
Is a citizen of the United States and a resident of New Jersey and
meets the age requirements pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-127.
(2)
Is sound in body and of good health sufficient to satisfy the Board
of Trustees of the Police and Fireman's Retirement System of New Jersey
as to his or her eligibility for membership in the retirement system.
(3)
Is 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)
Is appointed without political influence from anyone (state, local
or federal).
(6)
Has the mental stability, free of any abnormalities, needed to satisfactorily
perform the job of a police officer.
(7)
Has completed and passed a written examination, physical fitness
testing, medical screening, psychological evaluation, oral interview,
complete background investigation and drug testing.
(8)
Education requirements. All college degrees and/or credits must be
from a college or university nationally recognized accredited institution
or agency by the U.S. Department of Education.
(a)
Bachelor's degree; or
(b)
Possess a minimum of 60 credits and two years of full time civilian
employment; or
(c)
Thirty credits and two years of military experience; or
(d)
Two years of active duty military service or serve in a "combat
zone" as defined under the State of New Jersey Department of Military
and Veterans Affairs, civil service preference clause, Numbers 1 through
14, and as may be amended in the future, with an honorable discharge.
C.
Each
member of the Police Department shall, before entering upon the performance
of his or her duties, take and subscribe to an oath to bear true faith
and allegiance to the government established in this state, to support
the Constitution of the United States of America and the State of
New Jersey and to faithfully, impartially and justly discharge and
perform all duties of his office, which oath or affirmation shall
be filed with the Clerk.
A.
The internal control and discipline of the Department of Police and of its members shall be vested in the Chief of Police and he shall have the power to enforce all the rules and regulations herein provided and any general and special orders or instructions which he may, from time to time, promulgate. He shall enforce the Rules and Regulations, orders or instructions and may punish for their violation as provided in the Rules and Regulations adopted as set forth in § 5-95, Composition.
B.
The Chief of Police, with the assistance of other
members of the Department detailed for such purpose, shall keep a
complete record as prescribed in the Rules and Regulations, and the
Chief shall report to the appropriate authority all matters of importance
pertaining to the Department and make sure recommendations, as in
his opinion, will increase the efficiency of the Department.
C.
The Chief of Police shall, pursuant to all applicable
laws and purchasing procedures established by the Township of Old
Bridge, from time to time, purchase new equipment or repair or rearrange
such old equipment as will increase the efficiency of the Department.
He shall have full charge and control of all the apparatus and equipment
and office space of the Department and its assignment and use and
shall be held responsible for its care, cleanliness and safekeeping.
D.
In the temporary absence or disability of the Chief
of Police, an Acting Chief of Police shall act in his place.
E.
The Chief of Police will be responsible for establishing
and maintaining a list of qualified applicants for the position of
regular police officer. He shall also perform all other duties as
prescribed in this article.
The Department of Police, through its Chief
of Police and his staff, shall:
A.
Preserve the public peace, protect life and property,
prevent crime, detect and arrest offenders against the penal laws
and ordinances effective within the Township, suppress riots, mobs
and insurrections, disperse unlawful or dangerous assemblages and
preserve order at all elections and public meetings and assemblages.
B.
Administer and enforce laws and ordinances to regulate,
direct, control and restrict the movement of vehicular and pedestrian
traffic and the use of the streets by vehicles and persons to protect
the safety and facilitate the convenience of motorists and pedestrians
and to make and enforce rules and regulations not inconsistent with
the ordinances and resolutions of the Township for such purposes.
C.
Remove or cause to be removed all nuisances in the
public streets, parks and other public places of the Township, inspect
and observe all places of public amusement or assemblage and all places
of business requiring any state or municipal license or permit and
report, thereon, to the appropriate department.
D.
Provide proper police attendance and protection at
fires.
E.
Provide for the attendance of its members in court
as necessary for the prosecution and trial of persons charged with
crimes and offenses and cooperate fully with the law enforcement and
prosecuting authorities of federal, state and county governments.
F.
Operate a training program to maintain and improve
the police efficiency of the members of the Department.
A.
Establishment. The position of Special Law Enforcement
Officer is hereby established.
B.
Placement. Special law enforcement officers shall
be assigned within the Bureau of Administration.
C.
COURT EMERGENCY
SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Definitions. As used in this section, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Any sudden, unexpected or unforeseeable event requiring the
immediate use or deployment of law enforcement personnel as shall
be determined by the Chief of Police, or, in the absence of the Chief,
other chief law enforcement officers to whom the authority of designating
an emergency has been prescribed by local ordinances.
Any person appointed pursuant to this article to temporarily
or intermittently perform duties similar to those performed regularly
by members of the Police Department or to provide assistance to the
Police Department during unusual or emergency circumstances or at
individual times during intermittent peak periods.
D.
Application and appointment.
(1)
A person may apply for the position of special law
enforcement officer by submitting a written application for appointment
to the Human Resources Director or for reappointment to the Chief
of Police. Said application shall be on a form prescribed by the Chief
of Police.
[Amended 7-22-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-12]
(2)
No person shall be appointed as a special law enforcement officer
unless that person meets the qualifications of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8
et seq. and specifically N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.10, as amended, and N.J.S.A.
40A:14-146.11, as amended, and N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.14, as amended,
and N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.16, as amended.
[Amended 3-19-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-08]
(3)
Every applicant for the position of special law enforcement
officer shall have his or her fingerprints taken, which fingerprints
shall be filed with the Division of State Police and the Federal Bureau
of Investigation.
(4)
If appointed, such appointment shall be for a period
of one year, beginning January 1 and terminating December 31, or for
such part of any year beginning upon date of appointment and terminated
on December 31.
(5)
After appointment, no special law enforcement officer
may commence his duties as a special law enforcement officer unless
he has successfully completed a training course established by the
municipality and approved by the New Jersey Police Training Commission.
(6)
A maximum of 100 special law enforcement officers
may be appointed in any one calendar year.
(a)
There shall be three classes of special law
enforcement officers:
[Amended 3-19-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-08]
[1]
Class One special law enforcement officers shall
be authorized to perform routine traffic detail, spectator control
and similar duties. Class One special law enforcement officers shall
have the power to issue summonses for disorderly persons offenses,
petty disorderly persons offenses, violation of municipal ordinances
and violations of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes (motor vehicle
offenses). The use of a firearm by a Class One special law enforcement
officer is strictly prohibited.
[2]
Class Two special law enforcement officers are
authorized to exercise full powers and duties of a municipal police
officer. Class Two special law enforcement officers are authorized
to carry firearms.
[3]
Class Three. Officers of this class shall be authorized to exercise
full powers and duties similar to those of a permanent, regularly
appointed full-time police officer while providing security at a public
or nonpublic school or a county college on the school or college premises
during hours when the public or nonpublic school or county college
is normally in session or when it is occupied by public or nonpublic
school or county college students or their teachers or professors.
While on duty in the jurisdiction of employment, an officer may respond
to offenses or emergencies off school or college grounds if they occur
in the officer's presence while traveling to a school facility or
county college, but an officer shall not otherwise be dispatched or
dedicated to any assignment off school or college property.
[Added 3-19-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-08]
(b)
The number of Class One special law enforcement
officers shall be limited to 100 in any one calendar year.
(c)
The number of Class Two special law enforcement
officers shall be limited to 25% of the total number of regular Old
Bridge Township police officers or the number of special police officers
appointed by Old Bridge Township as of March 1, 1985, whichever number
is greater.
(d)
All special law enforcement officers shall be
under the supervision and direction of the Chief of Police or his
direct designee and shall perform all of their duties only in Old
Bridge Township unless they are in fresh pursuit of any person who
has committed an offense in Old Bridge.
(e)
Each special law enforcement officer shall be
compensated as a clothing allowance, at the rate of $250 per year,
conditioned on each individual law enforcement officer working as
a special law enforcement officer a minimum of 100 hours during his
or her period of appointment. The compensation shall be paid only
upon the above condition having been met.
(f)
Residency. All special law enforcement officers
first appointed after July 1, 2013, shall be residents of the State
of New Jersey.
[Amended 7-22-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-12]
(g)
Carrying firearms.
[1]
Class Two special law enforcement officers,
when so authorized, may carry a firearm, but only when authorized,
in writing, by the Chief of Police and only when on duty as a special
law enforcement officer.
[2]
The Chief of Police may authorize any Class
Two special law enforcement officer to arrest, subject to all applicable
rules and regulations. Such authorization to arrest shall be limited
to times when the authorized special law enforcement officer is on
duty as a special law enforcement officer.
[3]
If a special law enforcement officer is authorized
to carry a firearm and a firearm is utilized by a special law enforcement
officer while on duty, he shall return such firearm utilized to the
officer in charge at the end of the special law enforcement officer's
workday, unless the firearm so utilized by the special law enforcement
officer is owned by the special law enforcement officer and was acquired
in compliance with a condition of employment prior to October 1, 1986.
Any special law enforcement officer first appointed after October
1, 1986, shall use only a firearm supplied by the Old Bridge Police
Department.
[4]
No special law enforcement officer may carry
a firearm until he has satisfactorily completed the basic firearms
course required by Old Bridge Township and the New Jersey Police Training
Commission for regular police officers and shall annually requalify
as required for regular Old Bridge police officers.
[5]
The use of a firearm by an officer of Class Three shall be authorized
pursuant to the provisions of Subdivision b of this Section 7 of P.L.
1985, c. 439 (N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.14). An officer of this class shall
not be authorized to carry a firearm while off duty unless the officer
complies with the requirements set forth in Subdivision l of N.J.S.A.
2C:39-6 authorizing a retired law enforcement officer to carry a handgun.
[Added 3-19-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-08]
(h)
A special law enforcement officer shall be deemed
to be on duty while he is performing the public safety function on
behalf of Old Bridge Township and when he is receiving compensation,
if any, from Old Bridge Township at a rate hereinafter established.
Special law enforcement officers may not be compensated from private
sources.
(i)
Uniform. All special law enforcement officers
appointed by Old Bridge Township shall not commence their duties until
they have obtained a uniform authorized by the Township of Old Bridge,
which uniform shall include the uniform state insignia issued by the
New Jersey Police Training Commission. The cost of said uniform shall
be paid by the individual special law enforcement officer after his
or her appointment.
(j)
Employment status. All special law enforcement
officers shall be considered part-time employees of the Township of
Old Bridge. No vacation or sick leave shall accrue during periods
of employment as a special law enforcement officer, nor shall the
special law enforcement officer be entitled to receive other benefits
which accrue to full-time employees of the Township of Old Bridge
except those required to be provided by state law, including but not
limited to workers' compensation insurance and liability insurance.
(k)
Compensation.
[1]
All special law enforcement officers shall be
paid at the minimum of $16 per hour. All special law enforcement officers
shall be paid at the minimum of $24 per hour on the following designated
holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Lincoln's Birthday,
Washington's Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Primary Election
Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, General Election Day, Veteran's
Day, Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving Day (following Friday) and Christmas
Day. All special law enforcement officers shall be paid for all hours
actually worked or the sum of four hours, whichever is greater.
[2]
In addition to the amount of compensation received
by the special law enforcement officer, which amount is being received
by the Township of Old Bridge from third parties for the public services
rendered by the special law enforcement officers, the third parties
shall pay to the Township of Old Bridge an amount equal to the actual
cost of insurance and other benefits which must be paid by the Township
of Old Bridge on behalf of the special law enforcement officers, which
in no event shall be less than 10% of the present hourly rate.
[3]
The actual cost of insurance and other benefits
shall be estimated by the Chief Financial Officer on the effective
date of this chapter and on the first day of each succeeding year.
The Chief Financial Officer shall estimate said costs by reference
to the cost of workers' compensation insurance, disability insurance,
pension contributions and any other costs or benefits that must be
paid by the Township on behalf of part-time employees.
(l)
Except for one special law enforcement officer who shall be
designated "Administrative Law Enforcement Officer" and all special
three officers, all special law enforcement officers shall be limited
to a maximum of 20 hours of special law enforcement officer work in
any one week. The hours of the Administrative Special Law Enforcement
Officer and Class Three shall be unlimited.
[Amended 3-19-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-08]
(m)
All special law enforcement officers may be
required to work traffic safety assignments. The Chief of Police shall
assign each special law enforcement officer one traffic safety assignment
per month, as needed. This section shall in no way be interpreted
as limiting any special law enforcement officer from requesting traffic
safety assignments. Notwithstanding the above, any traffic safety
assignment shall not interfere with the regular employment of a special
law enforcement officer or interfere with any regular assignment as
a special law enforcement officer. All traffic assignments shall be
made part of the monthly schedule to be prepared by the Chief of Police
or his designee.
(n)
No full-time Township of Old Bridge employee
shall be first appointed as a special law enforcement officer for
the Township of Old Bridge after February 1, 2005.
The hours of employment for all sworn members
of the Police Department shall not exceed the contractual agreement
between the bargaining units and the Township of Old Bridge except
that, in the case of an emergency, the Chief of Police shall have
full authority to summon and keep on duty any and all such members
during the period of emergency.
Discipline shall be in accordance with the established
Rules and Regulations and the contractual agreements between the bargaining
units and the Township of Old Bridge.
A.
"Promotion" as used in this section, shall mean advancement
to Sergeant. All applicants for promotion shall take competitive written
and oral examinations, except as otherwise indicated herein.
B.
Only such officers who have completed five years of
service as a patrolman shall be eligible for promotion to the rank
of Sergeant.
[Amended 2-27-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-07]
C.
When a vacancy for a Sergeant exists and is to be
filled, a notice of such vacancy and the time and place where application
for examination for promotion to fill same is to be made shall be
posted in a conspicuous place in the squad room of the police headquarters.
The Chief of Police shall also advise candidates of recommended study
materials relevant to the promotion examinations.
D.
All promotions shall be based on merit and fitness.
All promotions to Sergeant shall be made from the membership of the
Department as constituted at the time of such promotion. No person
shall be eligible for promotion to a superior position unless he has
first served in the grade of patrolman in the Department.
E.
The candidate for promotion must achieve a passing
grade on tests administered by the New Jersey State Chiefs of Police
Association or an equivalent agency approved by the Policemen's Benevolent
Association, Local 127, in order to be considered for promotion. Each
candidate shall be examined, in a written examination and an oral
examination, under similar conditions, and performance shall be measured
by the same standard and criteria. The Chief of Police shall receive
the test results from the outside testing agency and shall certify
the score of each candidate.
F.
Candidates for promotion who receive a passing score
on the oral and written examination shall be interviewed by a Local
Interview Committee. In the case of promotions from the rank of patrolman
to Sergeant, the Interview Committee shall consist of the Mayor or
his designee, the Chief of Police or his designee and one superior
officer from another Police Department chosen by the Police Benevolent
Association, Local 127, from a list of five names submitted by the
Chief of Police. Each candidate shall be interviewed by the Local
Interview Committee under similar conditions in order to evaluate
the merit and fitness of such candidate for promotion.
G.
Candidates for promotion shall be assigned points
for years of service within the Township of Old Bridge Police Department
as follows: one point for each year of service, as computed as of
the day of the year in which the promotional list is first posted.
H.
Test scores.
(2)
Test scores shall be calculated to the nearest tenth of a percentage point. After calculation of the candidate's score for the written examination, oral examination, and local interview, the Chief of Police shall then add thereto the number of points assigned for years of service as calculated in accordance with Subsection G hereinabove. No candidate shall be certified as eligible for promotion unless he has achieved a grade of at least 70 out of 100 on the written examination as well as the oral examination and the local committee interview, excluding seniority points.
I.
The Chief of Police shall certify the composite score
of each candidate and shall post the same in a conspicuous place in
the squad room of the 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.
J.
Any candidate, upon written request of the Chief of
Police within five working days of the posting of such results, shall
be entitled to review his test score and ranking with the Chief or
his designee. No promotion shall be made until each such candidate
has had an opportunity to exercise his right of review.
K.
Upon completion of the above-mentioned procedure,
the Chief of Police shall consider for promotion only those candidates
who have been certified to be eligible for promotion. For each promotion,
the Chief shall consider the first three names of candidates standing
highest on the list of eligible and certified candidates. The Chief
shall select one of the three so certified. In the event the candidates
have the same score, preference shall be given to Old Bridge residents,
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-122.6.
L.
A list of candidates for promotion to the appropriate
position shall be valid for a period of not more than three years
from its first posting.
[Amended 2-27-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-07]
M.
No candidate shall be promoted to the next higher
rank until and unless he or she passes a medical (physical) examination
and a psychiatric examination certifying his or her fitness to discharge
the functions and responsibilities of the next higher rank.
N.
Promotions may be made following the posting by the Chief of Police that a vacancy for the rank of Sergeant exists. Promotions, if made, shall be made by the Chief of Police in consultation with and subject to approval by the Mayor and subject to § 5-95 herein and the financial impact on the Township of Old Bridge.
[Amended 2-27-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-07]
O.
Appeals of process. Within 10 days of the posting of the ranking
of candidates, a candidate may file a written letter of appeal. Said
letter must contain the reason(s) or justification(s) for an appeal
and must be submitted to the Chief of Police, through the appropriate
chain of command. The Chief of Police will assess the request, and
make a determination of how the request will be addressed on a case-by-case
basis. Such requests may address the following areas of the promotion
process:
[Added 11-19-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-19]
(1)
Review
and retabulation of the scored elements of the selection process.
(2)
Review
any evaluation or internal document that is not otherwise privileged
or subject to disclosure that was used in the selection process related
to the appellant.
(3)
If
the appeal impacts upon the results of the promotional ranking as
determined by the Chief of Police, the candidate may be permitted
to be reevaluated.
A.
"Promotion" as used in this section, shall mean advancement
to the rank of Lieutenant.
B.
Only such officers who have held the rank of permanent
Sergeant for one year with the Township of Old Bridge Police Department
shall be eligible for promotion to the rank of Lieutenant.
C.
Promotion to the rank of Lieutenant by the Chief of
Police shall be based on merit and fitness as required in accordance
with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-129. The permanent Sergeant with the most seniority
in that rank will be promoted first. The permanent Sergeant with the
second most seniority shall be promoted second, and so on.
D.
Promotions may be made following the posting by the Chief of Police that a vacancy for the rank of Lieutenant exists. Promotions, if made, shall be made by the Chief of Police in consultation with and subject to approval by the Mayor and subject to § 5-95 herein and the financial impact on the Township of Old Bridge.
[Amended 2-27-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-07]
E.
Appeals of process. Within 10 days of the posting of the ranking
of candidates, a candidate may file a written letter of appeal. Said
letter must contain the reason(s) or justification(s) for an appeal
and must be submitted to the Chief of Police, through the appropriate
chain of command. The Chief of Police will assess the request, and
make a determination of how the request will be addressed on a case-by-case
basis. Such requests may address the following areas of the promotion
process:
[Added 11-19-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-19]
(1)
If
applicable, review and retabulation of the scored elements of the
selection process.
(2)
Review
any evaluation or internal document that is not otherwise privileged
or subject to disclosure that was used in the selection process related
to the appellant.
(3)
If
the appeal impacts upon the results of the promotional ranking as
determined by the Chief of Police, the candidate may be permitted
to be reevaluated.
A.
"Promotion" as used in this section, shall mean advancement
to the rank of Captain.
B.
Only such officers who have completed one year of
service as a permanent Lieutenant with the Township of Old Bridge
shall be eligible for promotion to the rank of Captain.
C.
The Chief of Police shall consider the merit and fitness
of all eligible Lieutenants for possible promotion to the rank of
Captain as required and in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-129. The
Chief of Police shall then select the eligible Lieutenant of his choice
to be promoted to the rank of Captain.
D.
Promotions may be made following the posting by the Chief of Police that a vacancy for the rank of Captain exists. Promotions, if made, shall be made by the Chief of Police in consultation with and subject to approval by the Mayor and subject to § 5-95 herein and the financial impact on the Township of Old Bridge.
[Amended 2-27-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-07]
E.
Appeals of process. Within 10 days of the posting of the ranking
of candidates, a candidate may file a written letter of appeal. Said
letter must contain the reason(s) or justification(s) for an appeal
and must be submitted to the Chief of Police, through the appropriate
chain of command. The Chief of Police will assess the request, and
make a determination of how the request will be addressed on a case-by-case
basis. Such requests may address the following areas of the promotion
process:
[Added 11-19-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-19]
(1)
If
applicable, review and retabulation of the scored elements of the
selection process.
(2)
Review
any evaluation or internal document that is not otherwise privileged
or subject to disclosure that was used in the selection process related
to the appellant.
(3)
If
the appeal impacts upon the results of the promotional ranking as
determined by the Chief of Police, the candidate may be permitted
to be reevaluated.
A.
"Promotion" as used in this section, shall mean advancement
to the rank of Chief of Police.
B.
Only such officers who have completed one year of
service as a permanent Captain or permanent Lieutenant with the Township
of Old Bridge Police Department, and have at least five years in an
administrative position, shall be eligible for promotion to the rank
of Chief of Police.
C.
The Mayor shall interview all eligible candidates
for possible promotion to the rank of Chief. The Mayor shall then
select the candidate of his choice to be promoted to the rank of Chief
of Police.
All firearms, which may be provided by the Township,
shall remain the property of the Township.
[Amended 12-14-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-22]
A.
Extra-duty
assignments of regular or special police personnel for third-party
requests for traffic control, crowd control or other police-type duty
shall be made with the approval and through the office of the Chief
of Police. Such extra duty shall be voluntary. While on such duty,
the members so assigned shall be under the supervision and control
of the Chief of Police and superior officers of the Department and
shall be subject to the provisions of this section. For this service,
the person requesting quasi-public police service shall compensate
the Township for services rendered at an hourly rate in accordance
with state and/or federal law, regulations or guidelines unless specifically
set forth in this section below.
[Amended 4-26-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-12]
(1)
Patrolmen
who have not reached the final step on the salary guidelines of the
collective bargaining agreement will be paid a rate of $85 per hour.
All other patrolmen will be paid at a rate of time and a half of their
current hourly rate of the collective bargaining agreement on the
date of the extra-duty assignment.
(2)
Sergeants
will be paid at the rate of time and a half per hour based on the
salary guidelines of the collective bargaining agreement on the date
of the assignment.
(3)
Lieutenants
will be paid at the rate of time and a half per hour based on the
salary guidelines of the collective bargaining agreement on the date
of the assignment.
(4)
Captains
will be paid at the rate of time and a half per hour based on the
salary guidelines of the collective bargaining agreement on the date
of the assignment.
B.
Any and
all work being performed by a contractor or citizen that interferes
or intrudes onto any state, county or local roadway within the boundaries
of Old Bridge Township will require an officer to be present to ensure
the safety of citizens traveling within the work area.
C.
When capital
improvement projects are contracted by Old Bridge Township that involve
or intrude onto any local roadway, the Township’s Business Administrator,
Engineer and Police Scheduling Officer shall meet to determine which
Township roads will require police presence for public safety. Police
officers shall be hired and scheduled in the manner prescribed by
this section.
D.
Citizens,
organizations, companies, or third-party contractors may request the
utilization of officers for extra-duty employment for security purposes.
Requests for such services will be reviewed by the Chief of Police
or his/her designee and shall be approved at the discretion and approval
of the Chief of Police or his/her designee.
(1)
Citizens,
organizations, or companies requesting officers to work off-duty traffic
and security jobs will pay the following rates:
(2)
Old Bridge Township reserves the right to utilize a third-party company to administer the Township's extra-duty assignment program. In the event that the Township contracts with a third party for this program, the selected provider may charge an additional administrative fee above and beyond those fees set forth in § 5-109D(1)(a) through (c) above, or any other fee established in the Code for the Old Bridge Township Department of Police. The administrative service by the third-party contractor may include scheduling, billing, collections, or any other services previously performed by the Old Bridge Township Department of Police.
