[Adopted 11-6-1991 by Ord. No. 1131 (§§ 52-1
through 52-10 of the 1982 Code)]
There is hereby created and reestablished a
Police Department for the Borough of Leonia which shall consist of
a Chief of Police and such number of sworn officers and civilian employees
as the governing body may designate from time to time.
A.
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 the Borough of Leonia;
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.
B.
The Mayor and Borough Council may appoint from time
to time special law enforcement officers in accordance with New Jersey
Statutes for terms not exceeding one year. They shall possess and
exercise all the powers and duties provided by said statutes during
their term in office, but shall not be continued as regular members
of the Police Department and shall not be entitled to tenure. The
Chief of Police may authorize special law enforcement officers when
on duty to exercise the same powers and authority as regular members
of the Police Department including the carrying of firearms and the
power of arrest.
The Board of Police Commissioners comprised
of three members of the Council appointed annually by the Mayor shall
be designated as the appropriate authority as provided in the New
Jersey Statutes. The Board shall be responsible for the overall performance
of the Police Department. The Board of Police Commissioners together
with the Mayor and Council shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations
for the government of the Police Department and for the discipline
of its members.
The Chief of Police shall be the head of the
Police Department and shall be directly responsible to the Board of
Police Commissioners for its efficiency and day-to-day operations.
Pursuant to policies established by the Board, the Chief of Police
shall:
A.
Administer and enforce the rules and regulations of
the Police Department and any special emergency directive for the
disposition and discipline of the Department and its members and officers;
B.
Have, exercise and discharge the functions, powers
and duties of the Police Department;
C.
Prescribe the duties and assignments of all members
and officers;
D.
Delegate such authority as may be deemed necessary
for the efficient operation of the Police Department to be exercised
under the Chief's direction and control; and
E.
Report at least monthly to the Board of Police Commissioners
in such form as shall be prescribed on the operation of the Police
Department during the preceding month and make such other reports
as may be requested by the Board.
[Amended 5-22-2000 by Ord. No. 00-05; 12-24-2003 by Ord. No.
31-03; 4-19-2004 by Ord. No. 07-04; 11-14-2005 by Ord. No. 16-05; 3-17-2008 by Ord. No. 10-08; 4-6-2009 by Ord. No. 05-09; 1-4-2010 by Ord. No.
26-09[1]; 5-3-2010 by Ord. No. 07-10; 5-19-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-4; 7-14-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-5]
The Police Department shall consist of the following
positions: one Chief of Police, one Captain, five Sergeants, and 10
officers.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided that if there
are currently employees serving in positions in excess of those provided
for above, those positions shall be maintained until the number of
employees is reduced to conform to the table of organization, whether
by promotion, demotion, retirement or any other reason.
No person shall be appointed to the Police Department
who is not qualified as provided in the New Jersey Statutes. Except
as otherwise provided by law, each applicant for a position in the
Police Department or for promotion shall be evaluated by the criteria
consistent with and in accordance with the Police Department's Rules
and Regulations, Policies and Procedures and as required by Borough
Code.
In addition to the requirements and standards
set forth by the Police Department's Rules and Regulations, Policies
and Procedures, and the Borough Code, the following education achievement
shall be required prior to appointment to the Police Department.
A.
In order to be eligible for examination for promotion
to the rank of Sergeant, police officers shall have successfully served
as probationary patrolmen and patrolmen in the Leonia Police Department
for a cumulative period of at least four years immediately preceding
the examination. This period of time shall begin upon successful completion
of basic recruit training.
B.
In order to be eligible for examination for promotion
to a rank above Sergeant, a police officer shall have served as a
Sergeant in the Leonia Police Department preceding an announcement
of examination.
C.
In order to be eligible to be promoted to the rank
of Sergeant or above, a police officer shall have an associate or
bachelors degree. In those cases where a police officer is pursuing
a bachelor's degree, the midpoint of the program is to be considered
the equivalent of an associate degree.
The Board of Police Commissioners shall recommend
for adoption by the governing body such rules and regulations concerning
the proper regulation of the Police Department, including but not
limited to professional conduct and appearance; Department property
and equipment; communications and correspondence; investigations;
arrests; detentions; firearms; public activities; political activities;
judicial and investigative actions; appearance and testimony; personnel
regulations, including oath of office and probationary period; driver's
license requirements; outside employment; surrender of departmental
property; resignation; and disciplinary rules.
[1]
Editor’s Note: See Art. III, Rules and
Regulations.
No member or officer of the Police Department
shall be suspended, removed, fined or reduced in rank for any cause
other than for incapacity, misconduct or disobedience as provided
in the New Jersey statutes and the Police Department's Rules and Regulations.
