[Amended 2-27-2003 by Ord. No. 03-06; 2-25-2014 by Ord. No. 14-01]
There is hereby established in the Township of Ewing a Department of Public Safety which shall be comprised of the Division of Police, the Division of Emergency Medical Services, the Division of Fire, the Volunteer Fire Division, the Volunteer Emergency Medical Services Division and the Office of Emergency Management. The Director of Public Safety shall serve during the term of office of the Mayor appointing the Director and until the appointment and qualification of a successor. In the event that the position of Director is not filled, the Mayor shall serve as Director of Public Safety. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118, the Director is hereby designated as the "appropriate authority" to whom the Chief of Police is directly responsible for the efficiency and routine day-to-day operations of the Police Department pursuant to any policies, rules or regulations which may be established or approved by the Director.
[Amended 2-27-2003 by Ord. No. 03-06; 10-11-2005 by Ord. No. 05-41; 12-10-2019 by Ord. No. 19-23]
A. 
The Police Department shall consist of the following sworn police personnel: one Chief of Police, not more than one Deputy Chief of Police, not more than two Police Captains, not more than 10 Police Lieutenants, not more than 15 Police Sergeants, and not more than 70 police officers, subject to approval by the Director.
B. 
The Deputy Chief of Police shall report directly to the Chief of Police. The Police Captains shall report directly to the Deputy Chief of Police. The Police Lieutenants shall report directly to the Police Captains. The Police Sergeants shall report directly to the Police Lieutenants and the police officers shall report directly to the Police Sergeants.
C. 
Police Chaplains shall be members of the police force without rank or salary in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-141 and §4-53.1.
[Added 10-13-2020 by Ord. No. 20-20]
[Amended 2-27-2003 by Ord. No. 03-06]
In accordance with general law, the duties and powers of the Chief of Police shall include, but not be limited to:
A. 
Administer and enforce rules and regulations and special emergency directives for the disposition and discipline of the force and its officers and personnel. Such rules and regulations and special emergency directives have been approved and as shall be hereafter approved by the Township Council and made a part hereof.
B. 
Have, exercise and discharge the functions, powers and duties of the force.
C. 
Prescribe the duties and assignments of all subordinates and other personnel, subject to the duties prescribed in the respective job specifications for each position as promulgated by the State of New Jersey Department of Personnel, as amended from time to time.
D. 
Delegate such of his authority as he may deem necessary for the efficient operation of the force, to be exercised under the direction and supervision of the Chief.
E. 
Report at least monthly to the Director in such form as shall be prescribed by the Director on the operation of the force during the preceding month and make such other reports as may be requested by the Director.
F. 
Exercise such powers and perform such duties as prescribed by the State of New Jersey. Department of Personnel pursuant to its duly promulgated job specification for the title Police Chief, as amended from time to time.
[Added 12-10-2019 by Ord. No. 19-23]
In accordance with general law, the duties and powers of the Deputy Chief of Police shall include, but not be limited to:
A. 
In subordination to the Chief of Police, administer and enforce rules and regulations and special emergency directives for the disposition and discipline of the force and its officers and personnel.
B. 
In subordination to the Chief of Police, have, exercise and discharge the functions, powers and duties of the force.
C. 
In subordination to the Chief of Police, prescribe the duties and assignments of all subordinates and other personnel, subject to the duties prescribed in the respective job specifications for each position as promulgated by the State of New Jersey Department of Personnel, as amended from time to time.
D. 
In the absence of the Chief of Police, temporary or otherwise, perform all of the duties of the Chief of Police, without exception, as set forth in § 4-47 above.
E. 
Exercise such powers and perform such duties as prescribed by the State of New Jersey Department of Personnel pursuant to its duly promulgated job specification for the title Deputy Police Chief, as amended from time to time.
[Amended 9-27-2022 by Ord. No. 22-18; 2-14-2023 by Ord. No. 23-04; 9-24-2024 by Ord. No. 24-21]
A. 
Except as otherwise set forth herein, appointments to the Police Department shall be made in accordance with applicable law from lists of eligible candidates provided to the Township by the New Jersey Department of Civil Service.
B. 
Each applicant for a position in the Police Department shall be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the State of New Jersey consistent with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-122.8. Each applicant shall comply with all of the laws of the State of New Jersey pertaining thereto and also meet all requirements of the Department of Personnel of the State of New Jersey. Each successful appointee shall, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:17B-66, serve a probationary period pending his successful completion of the course at the New Jersey State Municipal Police School.
C. 
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 11A:4-1.3, and in the sole discretion of the Township as the appointing authority, the Township may hire as an entry-level law enforcement officer, a person who has successfully completed a full Basic Course for Police Officers training course at a school approved and authorized by the New Jersey Police Training Commission within nine months from the date of hire as a temporary entry-level officer. A person hired pursuant to this section shall be exempt from the requirement to take an examination for an entry-level law enforcement position. Use of this provision for the hiring of police officers outside of the civil service examination process shall be utilized only upon the written authorization of the Director of Public Safety. The Director of Public Safety shall report to council quarterly on the use of this process. The use of this provision shall only be permitted when the police department has adopted a conflict of interest and nepotism policy.
(1) 
Any person employed under the provisions of this section and pursuant to N.J.S.A. 11A:4-1.3 shall be entitled to a leave of absence with pay during the period of the training course.
(2) 
Upon successful completion of the training course, any person employed under the provisions of this section and pursuant to N.J.S.A. 11A:4-1.3 shall be appointed from a temporary to a permanent entry-level law enforcement police officer.
The Police Department 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 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 of the Township for such purposes.
C. 
Remove or cause to be removed all nuisances in the public streets, parks and other public places, 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.
G. 
Recommend, administer and enforce rules and regulations for the disposition, conduct and discipline of the Department. Said rules and regulations, prior to becoming effective, shall be approved by the Director, as appropriate authority.
[Added 2-27-2003 by Ord. No. 03-06]
A. 
The Police Captain, under the supervision of the Deputy Chief of Police during an assigned tour of duty, has charge of subordinates engaged in activities intended to provide assistance and protection for persons, safeguard property, assure observance of the law, apprehend lawbreakers, and do related work as required.
[Amended 12-10-2019 by Ord. No. 19-23]
B. 
The work of the Police Captain shall include, but not be limited to, those duties, tasks and examples of work as prescribed by the State of New Jersey. Department of Personnel pursuant to its duly promulgated job specification for the title Police Captain, as amended from time to time.
[Added 2-27-2003 by Ord. No. 03-06]
A. 
The Police Lieutenant, under the supervision of a Police Captain during an assigned tour of duty, performs specialized supervisory police work and related work as required.
B. 
The work of the Police Lieutenant shall include, but not be limited to, the examples of work as prescribed by the State of New Jersey Department of Personnel pursuant to its duly promulgated job specification for the title Police Lieutenant, as amended from time to time.
[Added 2-27-2003 by Ord. No. 03-06]
A. 
The Police Sergeant, under the supervision of a Police Lieutenant during an assigned tour of duty, has charge of police activities intended to provide assistance and protection for persons, safeguard property, assure observance of the laws, apprehend lawbreakers, and do related work as required.
B. 
The work of the Police Sergeant shall include, but not be limited to, the examples of work as prescribed by the State of New Jersey Department of Personnel pursuant to its duly promulgated job specification for the title Police Sergeant, as amended from time to time.
[Added 2-27-2003 by Ord. No. 03-06]
A. 
The police officer during an assigned tour of duty, on foot or in an automobile, patrols a designated area to provide assistance and protection for persons, to safeguard property, to assure observance of the law, apprehend lawbreakers, and do related work as required.
B. 
The work of the police officer shall include, but not be limited to, the examples of work as prescribed by the State of New Jersey Department of Personnel pursuant to its duly promulgated job specification for the title Police Officer, as amended from time to time.
[Added 10-13-2020 by Ord. No. 20-20]
A. 
Position created. The position of Police Chaplain for the Ewing Township Police Department is hereby created in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-141. The position will be a volunteer position. The position of Police Chaplain shall be under the direction of the Director of Public Safety and subject to the control of the Chief of Police.
B. 
Qualifications. Any person appointed as Police Chaplain shall be an ordained clergyman in good standing in the religious body from which he or she is selected and qualified in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-141. The Police Chaplain shall have basic training in the position and shall be a certified police chaplain credentialed in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Police Department.
C. 
Appointment. The Chief of Police may recommend to the Director of Public Safety persons that he or she believes meet the qualifications of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-141, as well as the rules and regulations of the Police Department with reference to chaplains. All applicants for the position of Police Chaplain shall be reviewed by the Chief of Police, Senior Police Chaplain and Chaplain liaison, if any, to determine their qualifications in accordance with this section and shall make recommendations to the Director of Public Safety regarding the appointment of Police Chaplains. The Director of Public Safety shall appoint Police Chaplains in accordance with this section, with the advice and consent of the Chief of Police. The number of Police Chaplains shall be at the discretion of the Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police.
D. 
Duties. The duties of Police Chaplain shall include, but not be limited to, assisting the Police Department in death notifications, station house adjustments and any other duties that may be assigned by the Chief of Police.
E. 
Rank and salary. Any person appointed as Police Chaplain shall serve in that capacity without rank or salary.
F. 
Term of office. A person appointed as Police Chaplain shall serve for a period of one year from the date of appointment and shall continue to serve in that capacity until he or she is either terminated or reappointed with the recommendation of the Chief of Police.
G. 
Senior Chaplain. If more than one Police Chaplain is appointed, the Director of Public Safety shall appoint one of the Police Chaplains to be designated as Senior Police Chaplain.
[Added 2-27-2003 by Ord. No. 03-06]
A. 
The salaries for the members of the Police Department shall be governed by the collective bargaining agreement currently in effect, except that the salaries of the Chief and Deputy Chief of Police shall be set by ordinance by the Township Council.
[Amended 12-10-2019 by Ord. No. 19-23]
B. 
The salaries for the members of the Police Department shall be presented annually to the public by ordinance of the Township Council upon the adoption of the Township budget.
[Amended 8-13-2002 by Ord. No. 02-17; 2-25-2014 by Ord. No. 14-01; 1-22-2019 by Ord. No. 19-03; 7-23-2019 by Ord. No. 19-15; 12-8-2020 by Ord. No. 20-25; 9-9-2025 by Ord. No. 25-26]
A. 
(Reserved)
B. 
Volunteer firefighting.
(1) 
There is hereby established in the Township a volunteer firefighting function. The volunteer firefighting function shall consist solely of the Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Company (to be known as Station 31) and the West Trenton Volunteer Fire Company (to be known as Station 33). Membership in said companies shall be limited to those members belonging to the Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Company and the West Trenton Volunteer Fire Company. Said companies shall have complete responsibility for all fire-suppression and control activities in Ewing Township together with paid Ewing Division 30. The volunteer companies, together with paid Ewing Division 30, shall have responsibility for any incidents in Ewing Township which, through the threat of fire, are considered a threat to public safety or property.
(2) 
No person shall hereafter become an active firefighter in the Township volunteer fire-fighting function unless said person is at least 18 years of age and a resident of the United States. Said person shall be physically fit to perform all duties of a firefighter, as evidenced by a certificate to that effect by a practicing physician of the State of New Jersey after physical examination for this purpose. Said person shall also be certified by the State of New Jersey as a firefighter and possess all required certifications and training required by law.
(3) 
Junior firefighters may be appointed by fire companies as permitted by law, but in no case may any person under the age of 18 operate any firefighting apparatus at any time in accordance with New Jersey Department of Labor, Division of Fire Safety regulations.
(4) 
The volunteer fire chief shall be the ranking officer of each volunteer fire company. The fire chief shall in all cases where fire threatens life or damage or destruction of property within the Township take prompt and efficient measures and use the means of their station or mutual aid to extinguish the fire and shall at such times and occasions have the sole and absolute control and command over all the fire apparatus and all members of their respective station subject to section 4-55(F) of this ordinance as to the authority of the Fire Director.
C. 
Paid emergency medical technicians. Emergency medical technicians are Township employees who report to the Director and who work with the various municipal departments in the provision of emergency medical services. Operation command authority at emergency medical services incidents shall rest with the paid Emergency Medical Services Supervisor pursuant to the Township's Emergency Operations Plan. The Township is authorized to collect fees for the use of emergency medical services and ambulance transport services from persons who receive such services. The fees for emergency medical services and ambulance transport services shall be in accordance with the fee schedule as set forth in Chapter 172 of the Code.
D. 
Paid firefighters. Paid firefighters are Township employees who report to the Director of Public Safety (hereinafter "Director" or "Director of Public Safety") or his/her designee and who assist the volunteer fire companies in various fire-suppression functions, including but not limited to serving as fire apparatus equipment drivers.
(1) 
Establishment of paid firefighting division. There shall be one Township-wide fire division to be known as Ewing Fire Division 30 ("Division 30") that will apply to all paid firefighters employed by the Township. For Civil Service purposes, paid firefighters employed by the Township shall be deemed to serve in Division 30. Division 30 shall be a section of the Township's Department of Public Safety.
(a) 
Division 30 shall serve on a Township-wide basis that shall include the geographic boundaries of the Township. Division 30 may also respond to another municipality if a request for mutual aid is made.
(b) 
The Fire Division of the Department of Public Safety shall be composed of three firefighting units: the two volunteer stations, Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Company and West Trenton Volunteer Fire Company, and the paid firefighters in Division 30.
(2) 
Certification and appointment. Paid firefighters shall be appointed and promoted in accordance with Civil Service guidelines pursuant to N.J.S.A. 11A:4-1 et seq.
(3) 
Duties of Division 30.
(a) 
Paid firefighters may be assigned to any of the Township's two volunteer fire companies as determined by the Director of Public Safety or his/her designee. The Director or his/her designee shall make this determination based upon the day-to-day staffing needs of the Township.
(b) 
Paid firefighters are Township employees who report to the Director of Public Safety or his/her designee and who perform various fire suppression functions alongside the volunteer fire companies, including but not limited to serving as fire apparatus equipment drivers.
(c) 
Division 30 shall coordinate fire suppression and other emergency scene operations with the volunteer fire companies and provide adequate and prompt response to all emergencies assigned.
(4) 
Management rights retained by Township. It is recognized that the management of the Township, the control of its properties and the maintenance of order and efficiency, is solely a responsibility of the Township. Accordingly, the Township retains the rights, including, but not limited to, to direct the paid firefighting forces, including the right to hire, suspend, or discharge for just cause, assign, promote or transfer within the Township's two voluntary firefighting companies, to determine the amount of overtime worked, to relieve employees from duty because of lack of work, decide the number and locations of its facilities, stations, etc., determine the work to be performed within the unit, maintenance, and repair, amount of supervision necessary, machinery and tool equipment, methods, schedules of work, together with selection, procurement, designing, engineering and the control of equipment and materials, purchase services of others, contract or otherwise, except as may be otherwise specifically limited by agreement between the Township and the applicable union.
(5) 
No effect upon volunteer firefighting companies. The hiring of paid firefighters and the creation of the Division shall in no way affect the volunteer fire companies, which shall continue to operate without change.
(6) 
Ranking officer.
(a) 
The ranking officer of Ewing Division 30 shall be Captain and shall, for purposes of table of organization and chain of command, be equal in rank to a command level officer in the fire service.
(b) 
During the primary work hours of the paid firefighters of Division 30, the ranking officer of the responding apparatus shall be a career Captain. In responding to a fire or other emergency, the incident officer shall be the ranking firefighter in the absence of the career Captain for purposes of assuming responsibility for the responding apparatus and crew, unless a higher-ranking volunteer officer responds to the scene. During all other daytime duties, career firefighters shall continue to report to the Fire Director or other ranking firefighter within Division 30.
(c) 
Captains shall assist the Director in coordinating with the Volunteer Fire Chiefs to establish policies, procedures and orders for the efficient operation of the Division and ensure compliance with same.
(d) 
Captains shall assist the Director, together with the volunteer fire chiefs of each volunteer district, in establishing orders for the efficient operation of fire ground operations and for the chain of command for fire ground operations.
(e) 
Captains shall assist the Director in identifying and applying for grants and other funding opportunities related to Fire Division activities and in the preparation of the annual operating and capital budgets of the Division.
(7) 
Promotions; preference to resident. As a Civil Service municipality, promotions to positions on the paid firefighting force shall be based upon merit as determined by Civil Service promotional tests for such positions; provided, however, that a resident shall be appointed rather than a nonresident thereof in any instance in which the resident and nonresident achieved the same final average score in such test. The preference granted by this provision shall in no way diminish, reduce or affect the preference granted to veterans pursuant to N.J.S.A. 11A:5-1 et seq. or any other provision of law.
(8) 
Service credits for volunteer firefighters appointed to paid firefighting positions. When a Civil Service examination is scheduled to determine appointments to paid firefighting positions, any qualified firefighter having served in any volunteer fire company of the Township for at least two years next preceding such appointment shall be entitled, in addition to his/her earned rating, to service credits of not less than three nor more than 10 points as may be determined by the Director. Said appointee shall be over 21 but not more than 40 years of age at the time of the appointment.
(9) 
General qualifications for paid firefighters. No person shall be appointed, retained or promoted as a paid firefighter unless he/she shall satisfy all statutory requirements of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-7 et seq., the provisions of which are incorporated into this section by reference herein.
E. 
Office of Emergency Management. In accordance with N.J.S.A. App. A:9-40.1 et seq., an Emergency Management Coordinator, appointed by the Mayor for a term of three years, shall head an Emergency Management Council. The Coordinator shall be qualified as required by law. The Emergency Management Council shall have the powers and duties as set forth in Chapter 14, Boards, Commissions and Committees, Article XV, Emergency Management Council.
F. 
Fire director. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:69A-43, there is hereby established the position of Fire Director.
(1) 
The Mayor, at his or her option, may appoint an individual to serve as the Fire Director, to act as the head of Division 30, under the direction and supervision of the Director of Public Safety.
(2) 
The Fire Director shall be responsible for the proper administration of fire affairs, and shall govern and control Division 30 and prescribe its rules and regulations.
(3) 
The Fire Director shall have direct operational oversight over the career and volunteer fire companies including supervisory positions and volunteer fire company's chiefs, all of whom shall report to Fire Director. Nothing herein is intended to interfere with the internal operations of the volunteer houses with respect to the election of fire chiefs and other personnel decisions with the volunteer houses and as to internal fire company operations.
(4) 
The Fire Director shall oversee the implementation of Township-wide Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and administrative policies to inform, instruct, or direct the activities the Division 30 officers and volunteer fire department operations and administration.
(5) 
The Fire Director may assist at all emergency calls for service in any capacity in the Incident Command System, subject to Section D6(b), and as appropriate and where qualified to do so.
(6) 
The Fire Director shall also have administrative, budgetary, and policy-related duties and powers, including but not limited to:
(a) 
Review training courses for Division 30 staff and make changes and recommendations as needed.
(b) 
Monitor monthly reports of sick time, vacation and overtime use to ensure budget allocation may be checked for compliance.
(c) 
Serve as the liaison with Division 30 to ensure operations run without issue.
(d) 
Recommend minor and/or major disciplinary actions of uniformed personnel for violations of Township policy and procedures or any regulation or statute.
(e) 
Remain informed as to resources available for personal problems and/or maintain literature which will inform Division 30 personnel of their options.
(f) 
Review all monthly reports and follow-up as necessary.,
(g) 
Provide information on equipment that requires capital expenditures for budget consideration.
(h) 
Ensure that all staff violations of Division 30 rules and regulations are documented and implement appropriate disciplinary processes.
(i) 
Approve expenditures for both budgeted and nonbudgeted items, including direct oversight over the allocation of resources to include but not limited to personnel, apparatus, and equipment.
(j) 
Approve specifications of new equipment.
(k) 
Participate in disciplinary and grievance processes.
(l) 
Perform all scheduling for Division 30 personnel.
(7) 
The Fire Director shall serve during the term of office of the Mayor appointing the Director and until the appointment and qualification of a successor.
G. 
Emergency response specialist. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 11A:3-5, there is hereby established the position of Emergency Response Specialist.
(1) 
The Mayor, at his or her option, may appoint an individual to serve in the unclassified position of Emergency Response Specialist, under the direction and supervision of the Director of Public Safety and/or his or her designee.
(2) 
The Emergency Response Specialist shall assist the Local Health Department in the development, instruction and execution of response and recovery work in order to prevent, protect from, prepare for, respond to recover from and/or mitigate a natural disaster, pandemic and/or other emergency, and perform other related duties as required.
(3) 
The Emergency Response Specialist shall have the following duties and powers, including but not limited to:
(a) 
Assist Local Health Department in determining priorities, roles and functions of personnel in responding to a natural disaster, pandemic and/or other emergency.
(b) 
Assist Local Health Department in determining equipment needs, training needs, and other requirements for handling a natural disaster, pandemic and/or other emergency.
(c) 
Development and maintain a list of available resources within the Township to assist residents impacted by a natural disaster, pandemic and/or other emergency.
(d) 
Ensure appropriate linkages to social supports are made, such as referrals to social support coordinators and/or 211 supports.
(e) 
Establish and maintain emergency management communications between federal, state and local governments, and coordinate with such federal, state and local agencies as necessary.
(f) 
Identify at-risk populations within the Township, and oversee development of a plan addressing steps in outreach/messaging to vulnerable populations, testing, case investigation, contact tracing, containment, quarantine facilities, support services, and long-term prevention for communicable diseases, both routine and emergent, in these vulnerable populations.
(g) 
Work with federal, state and local governments and agencies to align strategies, maximize resources, and prioritize response to a natural disaster, pandemic, and/or other emergency.
(h) 
Regularly monitor data relating to natural disasters, pandemics and/or other emergencies, and utilize to reprioritize outreach to existing and newly affected vulnerable populations.
(4) 
The Emergency Response Specialist shall have professional and/or technical experience in program/project coordination, community outreach, and/or emergency response, including natural disasters and pandemics, or other suitable equivalent experience as determined by the Township.
(5) 
The Emergency Response Specialist shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor, for such term as may be required during and/or after any period of declared State of Emergency, Public Health Emergency, or other emergency requiring a response from the Township.
[Added 9-25-2018 by Ord. No. 18-25]
Whenever there shall be a declared state of emergency by any federal, state, county or local authority that includes all or any part of Ewing Township, the following personnel are deemed to be essential personnel for purposes of traveling upon the roadways and shall be required to report to work in accordance with their regularly scheduled workday, or in accordance with any modified schedule as a result of the declared emergency:
A. 
Police officers.
B. 
Fire fighters.
C. 
Emergency medical technicians.
D. 
Public safety telecommunicators.
E. 
Emergency Management Coordinator.
F. 
Public Works employees, by job title as warranted by the emergency.
G. 
Code officials, by job title as warranted by the emergency.
H. 
Mayor.
I. 
Township Administrator.
J. 
Emergency Response Specialist.
[Added 12-8-2020 by Ord. No. 20-25]