[Adopted 3-21-1996 by Ord. No. 1237]
It is the intention and purpose of this article
to update, clarify and codify the many previous ordinances regulating
the Police Department of the Borough of Palisades Park and to make
those changes necessary as a result of changes in New Jersey Statutes
and case law. All ordinances previously adopted by the Borough of
Palisades Park regarding the Police Department, including but not
limited to Ordinance No. 805, are hereby repealed.
[Amended 6-17-1997 by Ord. No. 1278; 12-18-2007 by Ord. No.
1496; 10-20-2009 by Ord. No. 1541; 2-16-2010 by Ord. No. 1545; 12-21-2010 by Ord. No. 1562; 7-17-2012 by Ord. No. 1578]
A.
There is
hereby created in and for the Borough of Palisades Park a Police Department,
which shall consist of the following:
(1)
Chief
of Police: one.
(2)
Captains:
two.
(3)
Lieutenants:
three.
[Amended 7-24-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-7; 11-27-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-16; 2-23-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-1]
(4)
Sergeants:
nine.
[Amended 7-24-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-7]
(5)
Police
officers: in a number to be determined within the sound discretion
of the Mayor and Council but not to exceed 36.
[Amended 7-24-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-7; 11-27-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-16]
B.
The Mayor
and Council shall, from time to time, determine the number of police
officers, as well as temporary officers and members in an emergency,
to be appointed to these positions and shall further determine their
compensation.
[Added 2-16-2010 by Ord.
No. 1545; amended 9-26-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-6]
In the absence of a Police Director, the appropriate authority
shall be the Mayor and Council.
[Added 2-16-2010 by Ord.
No. 1545]
The Police Director shall have the authority to:
A.
Administer and enforce rules and regulations and special emergency
directives for the disposition and discipline of the force and its
offices and personnel;
B.
Describe the duties and assignments of all subordinates and other
police personnel;
C.
Delegate such of his/her authority as he/she may deem necessary for
the efficient operation of the force to be exercised under his/her
direction and supervision;
D.
Faithfully and promptly have all personnel of the Police Department
under him/her to obey all rules and regulations and orders;
E.
Be responsible for the investigation and adjudication of all complaints
concerning performance of service or duties performed by the members
of the Department;
F.
Maintain a constructive relationship with the media and the public;
G.
Be responsible for the maintenance of a daily police attendance report
in which each member shall record his/her rank and time of reporting
and leaving duty, complaints and matters pertaining to the Police
Department;
H.
Report at least weekly to the Mayor in such form as shall be prescribed
by the Mayor on the operation of the force during the preceding week
and make such other reports as may be requested by the Mayor;
I.
Delegate such of his/her authority as he/she may deem necessary for
the efficient operation of the force to be exercised under his/her
direction and supervision;
J.
Recommend to the Mayor the number of officers and personnel of the
Police Department;
K.
Recommend to the Mayor promotions in the Police Department;
L.
Be responsible for the protection of lives and property in the Borough;
M.
Organize and direct the Police Department and also all subordinate
police personnel;
N.
Plan, direct and control through subordinates all aspects of the
police functions;
O.
Counsel and train Police Department employees;
P.
Prepare annual budget requests and recommendations for the Police
Department and shall be responsible for all requests for expenditures;
Q.
Supervise and direct all of the operations of the Police Department,
utilizing supervisory personnel in the Police Department;
R.
Establish work schedules and determine all shifts and make work assignments;
S.
Take or recommend disciplinary action in accordance with statutory
provisions;
T.
Develop policies and procedures, written manuals and instructions
for the Police Department;
U.
Attend meetings and public gatherings to explain the safety activities
and functions and to elicit citizens' support of police projects;
V.
Plan and organize and direct all public safety operations with respect
to personnel and equipment and buildings;
W.
Work with community groups to foster the community action;
X.
Respond to the scene of any major criminal activity and other major
conditions that affect public safety and may personally direct public
safety activities at the scene;
Y.
Supervise effective programming for streetlights, signing and traffic
control to ensure vehicle and pedestrian safety;
Z.
Recruit and recommend candidates for positions in the Police Department
in reference to appointments and promotions, suspensions and other
disciplinary actions pursuant to law;
AA.
Evaluate each member of the Police Department on a semiannual basis,
in writing, and report on such evaluations to the Mayor.
[Added 2-16-2010 by Ord.
No. 1545]
All functions of the Police Department which a civilian director
does not have the authority under New Jersey statutes to exercise
shall be performed by the Captain of Police, such as the issuance
of a firearm permit pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:58-3(d); internal affairs
investigations; however, pursuant to law, the Director, as the appropriate
authority of the Police Department, shall have access to all such
reports over the scene of the special police to the extent of and
limited by N.J.S.A. 48:14-146.14(c).[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.14(c).
[Added 2-16-2010 by Ord.
No. 1545]
The position of Police Director shall be a part-time position
with such a salary, with or without benefits, as determined by the
Mayor and Council.
[Added 2-16-2010 by Ord.
No. 1545]
The Police Director shall be nominated by the Mayor with the
advice and consent of the Council. The governing body shall have the
authority to enter into a contract with the Police Director for a
term not exceeding three years at such salary and benefits as determined
by the Mayor and Council.
[Added 2-16-2010 by Ord.
No. 1545]
In order to be qualified for the position of Police Director,
the person shall have served in the capacity of a superior administrative
officer of a police department, law enforcement agency, or similar
capacity for not less than 25 years or have sufficient higher education
training in the field of administrative, executive and/or financial
background with a minimum of a post-graduate degree in a related field.
[Added 6-22-2021 by Ord.
No. 2021-8]
The position of Police Assistant Administrator in the Palisades
Park Police Department is hereby established and who shall be appointed
by the Mayor and Council.
A.
Job duties.
(1)
Make recommendations to update, adopt and promulgate standard
operating procedures and general orders for the operation of the Police
Department.
(2)
Make recommendations to adopt and promulgate such policies and
procedures necessary for the supervision and discipline of the personnel
of the Police Department.
(3)
Conduct a comprehensive review of the Department's Rules and
Regulations to ensure compliance with the Attorney General Guidelines,
current best practices and standards, labor and employment laws, and
all applicable rules for all Borough employees.
(4)
Assess and make recommendations to improve existing systems,
processes and policies within the Department.
(5)
Make recommendations to instill a community policing mindset
throughout the Department and work to build relationships of trust
and mutual respect with the community.
(6)
Make recommendations to utilize quantitative data-driven policing
strategies to foster smarter and more efficient allocation of law
enforcement resources.
(7)
Make recommendations on establishing a structured chain of command
which will help provide for the orderly flow of communications and
directions and an adherence to the hierarchical structure of the organization.
(8)
Make recommendations to embrace inclusiveness and diversity
in the workplace.
(9)
Make recommendations to establish a communication system through
which the Department routinely exchanges information, ideas and suggestions
to best serve the Department.
(10)
Make recommendations to establish protocols regarding when and
how notifications are made to the Chief, Mayor and Borough Council.
(11)
Assist in the review of all mandated and available training
courses to both ensure compliance with the NJ Attorney Guidelines
as well as presenting an opportunity for all officers to attend in-service
training classes.
B.
Qualifications. No person shall be appointed as Police Assistant
Administrator unless:
(1)
In order to be qualified for the position of Police Assistant
Administrator, the person shall have served in the capacity of a superior
administrative officer of a Police Department, Law Enforcement agency
or similar capacity for not less than 25 years or have sufficient
higher educational training in the field of administration, executive
and/or financial background with a minimum post graduate degree in
a related field.
(2)
They are a citizen of the United States and of the State of
New Jersey.
(3)
They shall possess a valid New Jersey driver's license.
C.
Compensation. Compensation for the Police Assistant Administrator
in the Palisades Park Police Department shall be set forth in the
Annual Salary Ordinance.
D.
Term. The term of this office shall be one year.
The Police Department shall:
A.
Preserve the public peace.
B.
Protect life and property.
C.
Detect, arrest and prosecute offenders of the laws
of the State of New Jersey and all ordinances of the Borough of Palisades
Park.
D.
Direct and control traffic.
E.
Provide attendance and protection during emergencies.
F.
Provide appearances in court.
G.
Cooperate with all other law enforcement agencies.
H.
Provide training for the efficiency of its members
and officers.
[Amended 2-16-2010 by Ord. No. 1545; 12-21-2010 by Ord. No. 1562; 1-26-2016 by Ord. No. 1659; 7-24-2018 by Ord. No.
2018-9; 2-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-3; 9-26-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-6]
In the absence of a Police Director, the appropriate authority
shall be the Mayor and Council.
The Chief of Police shall be the head of the
Police Department and shall be directly responsible to the Police
Committee for its efficiency and day-to-day operations. Pursuant to
policies established by the Police Committee, the Chief of Police
shall:
A.
Administer and enforce the rules and regulations of
the Police Department and any 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 authorities as may be deemed necessary
for the efficient operation of the Police Department, to be exercised
under the Chief's direction and control.
E.
Report at least monthly to the appropriate authority
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 appropriate authority.
No member of the Police Department shall be
suspended, removed, fined or reduced in rank other than for incapacity,
misconduct or disobedience as provided in the New Jersey Statutes
and the Police Department's rules and regulations.
No person shall be appointed to the Police Department
who is not qualified as provided in the New Jersey Statutes. All applicants
for appointment to the Police Department shall successfully complete
a physical, mental and psychological examination prior to appointment.
The Borough of Palisades Park may appoint, from
time to time, special law enforcement officers in accordance with
New Jersey Statutes and for terms not exceeding one year. They shall
possess and exercise all of the powers and duties provided by said
statutes during their terms 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, provided that same is in accordance
with the requirements of state law.
