[Amended 5-24-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-11]
The Mayor and Council may appoint 20 parking enforcement officers for the Borough of Palisades Park.
[Adopted 4-12-1988 by Ord. No. 1070]
A.
A parking enforcement officer for the Borough of Palisades Park shall enforce state, county or municipal statutes, resolutions, ordinances or regulations related to the parking of vehicles within the Borough of Palisades Park.
B.
A parking enforcement officer shall possess the power and authority to:
(1)
Issue a parking ticket for parking offenses as those two terms are defined in the Parking Offenses Adjudication Act, P.L. 1985, c. 14 (N.J.S.A. 39:4-139.2 et seq.).
(2)
Serve and execute all processes for any parking offenses issued out of the Palisades Park Municipal Court.
(3)
Cause any vehicle parked, stored or abandoned in Palisades Park in violation of a statute, resolution, ordinance or regulation to be towed away from the scene of the violation and to collect from the vehicle owner or the owner's agent, on behalf of Palisades Park, the costs of the towing and subsequent storage of the vehicle before surrendering the vehicle to the owner or agent.
A.
A parking enforcement officer is not a special law enforcement officer within the meaning of the Special Law Enforcement Officers' Act, P.L. 1985, c. 439 (N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8 et seq.), and is not a member of the Police Force of Palisades Park. No parking enforcement officer may carry or use a firearm while on duty. A parking enforcement officer is deemed to be on duty while the officer is performing the public safety functions enumerated in § 48-10 of this article and for which the officer is receiving compensation from the borough.
B.
A parking enforcement officer is not eligible for membership in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System established pursuant to P.L. 1944, c. 255 (N.J.S.A. 43:16A-1 et seq.).
No person may be appointed as a parking enforcement officer unless, at a minimum, the person:
A.
Is a resident of this state during the term of appointment.
B.
Is able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently.
C.
Is of sound mind and in good health.
D.
Is of good moral character.
E.
Has not been convicted of any offense involving dishonesty or which would make the person unfit to perform the duties of his office.
A.
An applicant for the position of parking enforcement officer appointed pursuant to this article shall have fingerprints taken, which fingerprints shall be filed with the Division of State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
B.
Before any parking enforcement officer is appointed pursuant to this article, the Chief of Police of Palisades Park shall ascertain the eligibility and qualifications of the applicant and report these determinations in writing to the appointing authority.
No person appointed after the effective date of this article may commence duties as a parking enforcement officer unless that person has successfully completed a training course conducted or approved by the borough. The Mayor and Council may waive this training requirement for any person otherwise eligible to be appointed as a parking enforcement officer under this article if the person possesses substantially equivalent training and background, as determined by the Chief of Police.
Prior to the commencement of duties, every parking enforcement officer shall be furnished with a uniform which shall clearly identify the officer's function. The uniform shall include but not be limited to a hat and appropriate badges which shall bear an identification number or name tag and the name of the municipality in which the officer is employed. The uniform shall also include an insignia issued by the municipality which clearly indicates the officer's status as a parking enforcement officer. The uniform shall be distinct in color from the uniform of a regular police officer or special law enforcement officer.
The municipality shall charge a responsible fee, as determined by the Mayor and Council, for uniforms supplied pursuant to this article.
A parking enforcement officer shall be appointed annually with a term of office running from January 1 to December 31.