[Adopted 2-19-2003 by Ord. No. 877-03]
This article is passed, promulgated, and shall be interpreted in accordance with Chapter 251 of the Laws of 1942, as amended and supplemented by N.J.S.A. 59, Appendix A:9-45, Governor's Executive Order No. 101, dated December 17, 1980, Directive No. 28 (Governor's Proclamation of Auxiliary Police Powers), Directive No. 30 (Governor's Regulation for Training Auxiliary Policemen or Regular Police Force) and all information bulletins and regulations and executive orders promulgated pursuant to the authority of law by the Governor of the State of New Jersey in furtherance of the Emergency Management Organization (Civil Defense or Civil Defense Disaster Control) of the State of New Jersey.
There is hereby established an organization known as the "Auxiliary Police for the Township of Rochelle Park, County of Bergen and State of New Jersey."
A. 
The Auxiliary Police shall consist of not more than 20 active members. The organization may also include a number of additional life members, as may be determined in the organization's constitution and bylaws.
B. 
As a condition for membership and continued membership in the organization, each member shall:
(1) 
Be a citizen of the United States, resident of the Township of Rochelle Park or live within five miles of the town borders.
(a) 
Preference shall be given to the residents of the Township of Rochelle Park to fill any available membership.
(2) 
Be between the ages of 18 and 65 years of age;
(3) 
Be of good moral character and physically qualified to perform the duties assigned.
(4) 
Possess a current and valid New Jersey driver's license.
(5) 
Pass a criminal background check.
(6) 
Be able to speak and understand the English language.
(7) 
Pass a physical examination and drug screening by the Police Department's Physician.
(8) 
Complete the required basic Auxiliary Police training course.
(9) 
Appointed personnel must be registered as a member of the local Emergency Management Organization and must take a loyalty oath.
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
I, _________________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, and that I will bear faith and allegiance to the same, and to the Governments established in the United States and in this State, under the authority of the people, so help me, God.
C. 
Procedures for new members. Any person who wants to join the Rochelle Park Auxiliary Police must meet the standards of Subsection B. He/she shall then complete the following:
(1) 
Submit in writing a request for membership to the Rochelle Park Police Department Chief, requesting an application for the Auxiliary Police.
(2) 
The Rochelle Park Police Department will mail or deliver the Auxiliary Police application to the applicant.
(3) 
The application will be completed by the applicant and returned to the Chief or Liaison of the Rochelle Park Police Department.
(4) 
The Chief or Liaison, upon receiving the application shall then date and time-stamp said application.
(5) 
The Rochelle Park Police Department Chief or Liaison will then conduct a criminal background check, Division of Motor Vehicles check and further background check as needed, to satisfy the requirements of becoming an Auxiliary Police member.
(6) 
Upon completion of the background check, the Rochelle Park Police Department Chief or Liaison will then conduct an interview with the applicant.
(7) 
The applicant is then required to pass a physical examination and drug screening by the Rochelle Park Police Department's Physician.
(8) 
Pending the results of the applicant's physical examination and drug screening, the process will continue.
(9) 
If the applicant has satisfactorily completed all the requirements of becoming an Auxiliary Police member, the Rochelle Park Police Department Chief will submit in writing a request to the Rochelle Park Mayor and Committee to have him/her appointed to the organization.
D. 
All appointments to and termination from the organization shall be submitted to the Rochelle Park Mayor and Committee for their review and approval.
A. 
All members of the Auxiliary Police organization are required to complete the basic Auxiliary Police course as prescribed by the State Police Advisory Committee within one year of his/her appointment. Members who fail to complete the basic training course without good cause within one year of appointment will be terminated from the organization.
B. 
Members may be assigned to the Chief of Police or his/her designee, for the purpose of training, as prescribed by executive order and directives.
A. 
The precise implementation of the local Auxiliary Police will be the responsibility of the Rochelle Park Chief of Police or his/her designee and the Emergency Management Coordinator for the Township of Rochelle Park.
B. 
The assignment(s) of the Auxiliary Police to an emergency, disaster, or training mission will be requested by the Chief of Police or his/her designee or the Rochelle Park OEM Coordinator.
C. 
Auxiliary Police detailed for duty must adhere to the following procedures before assuming his/her assignments:
(1) 
Report to Rochelle Park Police headquarters personally and log in his/her name, date, and time of reporting and specific assignment in the Auxiliary Police docket;
(2) 
Upon completion of assignment, whether an emergency or training mission, signs out personally in the Auxiliary Police docket at police headquarters (date and time completed and signature). Should any unusual incident occur during his/her tour of duty, he/she will notify the Rochelle Park Police Department's Tour Commander and fill out an incident report.
D. 
Auxiliary Police properly summoned and assigned to duty are covered by state statutes. Furthermore, the Auxiliary Officer will be covered by insurance provided by the Township of Rochelle Park, in case of injury or death while in the performance of his/her duties.
E. 
In the event of an extreme emergency or disaster, every effort will be made to comply with all rules and regulations pertaining to the Auxiliary Police activities, but if action has to be taken immediately, verbal approval should be obtained from the Rochelle Park Chief of Police, the Rochelle Park OEM Coordinator, or the person in charge of the Rochelle Park Police Department at the time of the emergency.
F. 
All members of the Auxiliary Police, when properly assigned, must follow and comply with all rules and regulations, policies and procedures of the Rochelle Park Police Department, as prescribed by the Chief of Police or his/her designee.
A. 
Auxiliary Police as defined in N.J.S.A. App. A:9-45 (see Directive No. 28, revised 10-8-1957 re: Chapter 251. P.L. 1942 amended by Chapter 86, P.L. 1939). Personnel properly enrolled, trained, and certified according to the orders, rules and regulations of N.J.S.A. App. A:9-45 as an Auxiliary Police Member shall have the powers of a regular police officer during a designated emergency or properly assigned training mission.
B. 
All assignments of the Rochelle Park Auxiliary Police will be approved by the Chief of Police, OEM Coordinator of the municipality or authority having this responsibility during an emergency, disaster, or training mission.
C. 
Auxiliary Police may be used for the following assignments:
(1) 
Vehicular and pedestrian traffic control.
(2) 
Receive and disseminate warnings.
(3) 
Disseminate information and instruction to the public as directed.
(4) 
Security of governmental buildings within the municipality, federal, state, county, or local, as directed.
(5) 
Security of essential industries, power sources, waterways, and communications.
(6) 
Assist in staffing and operating an emergency operations center.
(7) 
Enforcement of law and order as required and/or directed.
(8) 
Documentation of all tasks initiated or completed and unusual incidents encountered during assigned duty.
(9) 
Assist any Township of Rochelle Park agency in any emergency.
(10) 
Assist the Rochelle Park Police Department with motor vehicle accidents as needed.
(11) 
Assist any agency outside the Township of Rochelle Park in time of their disaster or emergency. However, this must be authorized by the Rochelle Park Chief of Police and/or the OEM Coordinator.
(12) 
Assist the Rochelle Park Police Department in locating any disabled, endangered, or juvenile missing person within the Township of Rochelle Park.
Auxiliary Police are not authorized to carry firearms while on their tour of duty.
The officers of the Auxiliary Police shall consist of one Captain, one Lieutenant, two Sergeants and Secretary, all of whom shall be active members of the Auxiliary Police Organization at the time of their election and throughout the period during which they hold such office.
A. 
Captain. The Captain is the highest commanding officer who has direct control over all Auxiliary Police members within his/her command.
(1) 
He/she is responsible for the direction and control of the personnel under his/her command to assure the proper performance of duties and adherence to established rules, regulations, and procedures.
(2) 
He/she shall be responsible for the punctual attendance of all personnel within his/her command and keep accurate and complete records of every member, attendance, training, and scheduling.
(3) 
He/she is also responsible for the morale and discipline within his/her command.
(4) 
He/she is responsible for communication of information through the chain of command as required.
(5) 
He/she is responsible for the proper use and maintenance of the organization equipment, supplies, and material used.
(6) 
He/she will insure that all members under his/her command have knowledge of the equipment.
(7) 
He/she will make sure that all the members under his/her command wear the organization's uniform at the time the uniform is required.
(8) 
He/she will coordinate all work details between the Lieutenant and the Auxiliary Officers. The Captain will compile and certify, in the form of a yearly written report, all activities performed by the Auxiliary Police on a yearly basis and forward the report to the Police Department Liaison, as well as monthly reports.
B. 
Lieutenant. The Lieutenant is second-in-command and will be responsible for conducting operations of the Auxiliary Police in the absence of the Captain.
(1) 
He/she is responsible for proper assignments of duty and the performance of those under his/her command.
(2) 
He/she will be responsible for making sure all Auxiliary Police members are covered with the proper insurance provided by the Township of Rochelle Park.
(3) 
Make sure all members are signing in and out in the logbook and keep accurate records of the details.
(4) 
Will direct and oversee the activities and functions of the Auxiliary Police Sergeants and give guidance when necessary.
(5) 
Will perform evaluations of Auxiliary Police Officers and their performance and forward the report to the Auxiliary Police Captain.
(6) 
Report any disciplinary problems under his command to the Auxiliary Police Captain.
C. 
Sergeant. The Sergeants will be assigned to a squad. The organization consists of two Sergeants. The senior Sergeant will be known as the First Sergeant. The First Sergeant will act as Lieutenant in his/her absence and shall perform his/her duties. Active members can only be appointed to the rank of Sergeant after completing the basic Auxiliary Police course.
D. 
Captain. The Captain shall be the chief administrative officer of the organization and shall preside at all of its meetings. He/she will make appointments to committees. The Captain is a member of all committees and has no voting rights, except that in the case of a tie he/she will cast the deciding vote.
E. 
Lieutenant. The Lieutenant shall perform the duties of the Captain in his/her absence.
F. 
Secretary. The Secretary shall maintain the records of the organization, including all meetings, and correspondence to and from the organization.
G. 
Auxiliary Police Officer. The Auxiliary Police Officer shall complete a tour of duty as assigned by his/her supervisor(s).
(1) 
He/she shall perform a minimum of 10 hours per calendar quarter.
(2) 
He/she will be assigned a squad, and perform to the best of his/her ability.
(3) 
He/she will follow all departmental policies and procedures, and rules and regulations of the organization.
(4) 
Attend monthly meetings and training courses.
H. 
Police Liaison. The Police Liaison is a Rochelle Park Police Department member who is assigned by the Chief of Police. The Liaison shall be responsible for the operations of the Rochelle Park Auxiliary Police. Responsible, also, for appointing a training officer to see that all the Auxiliary Officers are properly trained. The Liaison has the authority to suspend or expel any members of the organization for just cause. He/she has the responsibility of preparing the organization's yearly budget.
(Note: In addition to the foregoing, the officers shall have such additional powers and duties as may be set in the bylaws of the organization).
I. 
Life Member. Any active member retiring or resigning after completing a period of not less than 10 years of active service may apply for life member. Any active member who becomes physically handicapped before the completion of 10 years of service may also apply for life membership. Such application shall be voted upon by the Township Committee. Life members shall be entitled to all social rights and privileges of the organization, except voting.
J. 
Probationary member. Any new member shall be on probation for the period of time it takes him/her to complete the basic Auxiliary Police course prescribed by the State Police Advisory Committee. Probationary members may hold the office of Secretary.
A. 
The election of the officers shall take place at the November meeting by closed ballot, with no proxy voting permitted, and election to any office shall be by a majority of the votes cast.
B. 
The officers so elected shall enter upon the duties of their office the first day of January following their elections. They shall serve for a period of one year and until their successors are elected.
C. 
Officers may be elected to succeed themselves, provided that after an officer shall have served two consecutive full terms in office, such officer shall not be eligible to serve again in that office until 12 months have passed. However, that limitation shall not apply to the office of the Secretary or Sergeant.
D. 
In the event of a vacancy in any office, the unexpired term shall be filled at the next regular meeting of the Auxiliary Police. Each member of the Auxiliary Police shall receive a written notification at least 48 hours in advance, advising of the vacancy. At such meeting an election will be held to fill vacancies and shall be by ballot in the same manner described above.
A. 
Failure to obey a lawful order of a line officer, negligent or willfully improper conduct in his/her duties, and violation of the provisions of this chapter, or any other applicable ordinance or statute, or any rule or regulation adopted thereunder of the bylaws shall constitute grounds for suspension and/or expulsion from the organization.
B. 
If the Rochelle Park Police Department's Liaison, auxiliary Police Captain, or any line officer has reason to believe that there are grounds for expulsion or suspension of any member of the organization for any reason set out in Subsection A above, he/she shall prepare a written statement of the charges against such a member. If such charges are made by a line officer, other than the Liaison or Auxiliary Police Captain, they shall submit the written charges to the Police Liaison.
C. 
The Police Chief shall fix a date, time, and place when such charges against the member shall be heard and served upon that member in written copy. At that meeting, the Police Department Chief and Liaison will hear the charges made against such member by the line officer making such charges.
D. 
If any member is suspended from the organization, such member may appeal such suspension to the Rochelle Park Chief of Police. Such appeal shall be made by giving notice to the Rochelle Park Police Department Auxiliary Liaison within 10 days after notice of suspension is given to such member. The Rochelle Park Chief of Police shall hear the matter and may affirm such suspension if he/she finds the member guilty, or if he/she finds the member guilty but believes the penalty imposed to be unduly severe, he/she may reduce such penalty or, if he/she finds the member not guilty, he/she shall forthwith reinstate him/her as an active member of the organization.
E. 
If any member is expelled from the organization, such member may appeal such expulsion to the Rochelle Park Mayor and Committee. Such appeal shall be made by giving a written notice to the Secretary of the Auxiliary Police within 10 days after notice of the expulsion. The Secretary of the organization will forward copies of the appeal to the Township Administrator, and the Police Department's Liaison. The Rochelle Park Mayor and Committee shall hear the matter and may affirm such expulsion if they find the member guilty, or if they find the member guilty but believe the penalty imposed to be unduly severe, they may reduce such penalty or, if they find the member not guilty, they shall forthwith reinstate him/her as an active member of the organization.
A. 
The Auxiliary Police Organization is hereby authorized and empowered to adopt, amend, and supplement bylaws, rules, and regulations which shall provide for the administration and operation of the organization, and prescribe the duties and rules of conduct of the members therefor, and shall contain such other matters as are necessary or useful for the proper functioning of the organization. Said bylaws, rules, and regulations shall not become effective until first presented to and approved by the Rochelle Park Mayor and Committee.
B. 
Said bylaws, rules, and regulations, and any amendments or supplements thereto, may be adopted by a 2/3 vote of the active membership present and voting at a meeting of the membership of the organization. Notice of such proposed bylaws, rules, regulations, amendments, and supplements thereto shall be given by mail to each member at least seven days prior to the date of such meeting.
C. 
Parliamentary procedure. Roberts' rules manual for parliamentary procedure, except as provided in this article, shall be standard for parliamentary law in the absence of a rule governing the organization.
The Township of Rochelle Park shall provide the Auxiliary Police Officer with a uniform. This uniform will be the property of the Township of Rochelle Park and must be returned at time of termination or resignation from the organization. The specific uniform worn will be outlined in the organization bylaws.
A. 
Anytime OEM is stated in this article, it is known as the Office of Emergency Management.
B. 
All reference to Civil Defense or Civil Defense and Disaster Control shall be interpreted to mean Emergency Management, by authority of New Jersey State, Executive Order No. 101, (EMSP 4-81) Revised 1991.
C. 
The Auxiliary Police Captain and Lieutenant shall be the Liaisons to the Rochelle Park OEM. They will attend all OEM meetings and bring back to the Auxiliary Police membership all vital information regarding the OEM meetings and drills/training classes.
D. 
All Auxiliary Police Officers in time of a declared emergency will be under the supervision of the Rochelle Park OEM Coordinator or his/her designee.