[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee
of the Township of Cranbury 7-25-2005 by Ord. No. 07-05-19. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
[Amended 7-14-2008 by Ord. No. 06-08-16; 4-24-2017 by Ord. No. 04-17-08]
There is hereby established and continued in and for the Township a Department of Police, also known as the "Cranbury Police Department," consisting of a Chief of Police, a Deputy Chief, up to two Captains, up to two Lieutenants, up to six Sergeants and up to 20 patrol officers as shall be determined from time to time by the Township Committee. All sworn officers, i.e., the Chief, Deputy Chief, Lieutenants, Captain, Sergeants and patrol officers (probationary and permanent), may be referred to as "members." New members are sworn officers who are serving during the first year of their initial appointment. In addition, the Police Department may be supported by civilian employees, including police dispatchers, a public safety technician, up to two administrative assistants, a police records clerk, a secretary and a clerk/typist. The responsibilities of the members and civilian employees shall be as set forth in this chapter and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to § 5-6 of this chapter. Any member or civilian employee (if applicable) of the Police Department may be assigned to patrol, investigative, traffic, detective/plainclothes, administrative or other tasks as determined by the Chief of Police.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118, the Township
Committee is designated as the appropriate authority with the powers
consistent with the law and with this chapter.
A.
The Chief of Police shall be the executive head of the Department and shall have complete authority regarding the technical operations, personnel assignments and day-to-day operations of the Police Department in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118. With respect to other matters, the Chief shall consult and cooperate with the Township Administrator as provided in § 3-3A(1) and B of this Code. The Chief shall be responsible to the appropriate authority, which may communicate with the Chief through the Administrator or a designated member of the Township Committee, for the conduct, efficiency and management of the Department, for the enforcement of the rules and regulations governing the Department and for the carrying out of all lawful orders and instructions of the appropriate authority.
B.
The Chief shall have the authority and duties imposed
by law and as set forth in the rules and regulations of the Department.
The Chief shall adopt and implement, and amend from time to time,
internal affairs guidelines which shall be consistent with the guidelines
governing the "Internal Affairs Policy and Procedures" of the Police
Management Manual and other directives promulgated by the Police Bureau
of the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Public
Safety.
[Amended 7-14-2008 by Ord. No. 06-08-16]
A.
New members shall be initially appointed and all candidates
for any office shall be appointed by the Township Committee to serve
in a probationary capacity for a period of one year from the date
of appointment except when, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:17B-69, said one-year
limit may be exceeded. For the purpose of this chapter, members who
have probationary appointments shall not be considered to have been
permanently appointed to the new office until their appointment has
been made permanent by further resolution of the Township Committee.
B.
Candidates shall be drawn from an eligibility list
established through a process posted and promulgated by the Chief
of Police set forth in a Department General Order and included in
the Standard Operating Procedures. Candidates for and members of the
Police Department shall have all other qualifications prescribed by
law, including but not limited to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-122.
[Amended 5-29-2018 by Ord. No. 05-18-10]
C.
Every member of the Police Department shall be a resident
of the State of New Jersey while serving in such position, as required
by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-122.8. New members appointed shall be residents
of the State of New Jersey at the time of their appointment and thereafter,
unless otherwise qualified by reason of service in the Armed Services
of the United States as provided by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-123.1.
D.
Members of the Police Department shall have the powers
and duties prescribed by law and shall be subject to the rules and
regulations of the Department and all other applicable ordinances
of the Township.
E.
Members shall be paid in accordance with the annual
Salary Resolution, within the guidelines set forth in the Salary Ordinance,
or any applicable collective bargaining agreement.
F.
No person shall be appointed or promoted to a command
or supervisory position above patrol officer unless he or she shall
have demonstrated an aptitude for such position. Notices of promotional
opportunities to Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain shall be posted
and promulgated by the Chief of Police in accordance with procedures
set forth in a Department General Order and included in the Standard
Operating Procedures. Successful candidates for these positions will
be recommended to the Township Committee. If the Township Committee
promotes the candidate, the promotion shall be subject to a twelve-month
probationary status under which the officer shall be given the title
and compensation of the office during which the Chief may return the
officer to the lesser rank without notice or hearing.
[Amended 4-24-2017 by Ord. No. 04-17-08; 5-29-2018 by Ord. No. 05-18-10]
A.
The Township Committee may appoint special law enforcement
Officers (also known as special police officers), who shall be qualified
and trained as required by N.J.S.A. 40A: 14-146.8 et seq. Special
police officers shall be appointed for terms not exceeding one year,
subject to the revocation procedures set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A: 14-146.8
et seq.
B.
Special police officers shall not be regular members
of the Police Department and shall perform only such duties as directed
by the Chief of Police.
C.
Special police officers shall be paid in accordance
with the annual Salary Resolution within the guidelines set forth
in the Salary Ordinance.
A.
The Township Committee, as appropriate authority,
for the purpose of the orderly administration of the Police Department,
may, by resolution, adopt by reference, as if set forth at length
herein, rules and regulations known as the "Cranbury Township Police
Manual," a copy of which shall be kept on file in the office of the
Township Clerk and three copies of which shall be kept on file in
the office of the Chief of Police. The Police Manual may be amended
and supplemented by resolution of the appropriate authority. The Chief
of Police shall have the authority to prepare and propose to the appropriate
authority such additional rules, regulations and procedures as the
Chief shall deem necessary to promote the efficiency of the Department.
B.
The provisions of the Police Manual shall be binding
upon each member and civilian employee of the Police Department and
all special law enforcement officers. Each member and civilian employee
of the Police Department and each special law enforcement officer
shall be presented with a copy of the Police Manual, together with
any amendments or additions thereto as the same are adopted by resolution
of the appropriate authority.
C.
In the event of any inconsistency between this chapter
and the Police Manual, the provisions of this chapter shall control.
A.
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147 et seq., no
permanent member or officer of the Police Department shall be removed,
suspended or reduced in rank from or in office, employment or position,
or fined for political reasons or for any cause other than incapacity,
misconduct or disobedience of the rules and regulations established
for the government of the Department, and then only upon action by
the appropriate authority and written complaint setting forth the
charge or charges against each member, which shall be signed by the
Chief or designee. This complaint shall be filed in the office of
the Chief of Police, and a copy thereof shall be served upon such
member with notice of a designated hearing thereon by the appropriate
authority. The hearing shall be not less than 10 nor more than 30
days after the service of the complaint; the appropriate authority
and the member may agree to reasonable postponements. The member against
whom a complaint is made shall be given every reasonable opportunity
to make any defense the member has or chooses to make during the hearing
by the appropriate authority.
[Amended 7-14-2008 by Ord. No. 06-08-16]
B.
The appropriate authority shall have the authority
to designate a hearing officer to conduct hearings, receive testimony
and other evidence, compile a list of exhibits and make findings and
recommendations to the appropriate authority. The findings and recommendations
of the hearing officer acting for the appropriate authority shall
be referred to the appropriate authority for final determination based
upon the record established by the hearing officer. The appropriate
authority shall have the power and authority to affirm, reverse or
modify the findings and recommendations of the hearing officer. All
determinations of the appropriate authority shall be final. Review
of final determinations may be appealed to the Superior Court of the
State of New Jersey as provided by law.
C.
A complaint charging a violation of the Department's
internal rules and regulations shall be filed no later than the forty-fifth
day after the date on which the person filing the complaint obtains
sufficient information to file the matter upon which the complaint
is based. The forty-five-day time limit shall not apply if an investigation
of a member for a violation of the rules and regulations is included
directly or indirectly in a concurrent investigation of that member
for a violation of the criminal laws of New Jersey, in which case
the forty-five-day limit shall begin to run on the day after the disposition
of the criminal investigation. The forty-five-day requirement of this
subsection for the filing of a complaint against a member shall not
apply to the filing of a complaint by a private individual. Failure
to comply with the above provisions as to service of the complaint
and the time within which the complaint is to be filed shall require
a dismissal of the complaint.
D.
In any instance involving a complaint charging a minor
infraction of a rule or regulation, or directive of a superior officer,
committed in the day-to-day operation of the Police Department, the
member charged may, nevertheless, by writing signed by the member
and filed in the office of the Chief of Police, admit conduct constituting
grounds for disciplinary action, and request a waiver of the right
to have a written complaint filed and served and to have a hearing
thereon by the appropriate authority, and consent to a summary penalty
imposed against the member by the Chief of Police or designee, which
penalty shall not exceed a suspension of more than five working days
without pay.
E.
Any member of the Police Department may, by writing
signed by the member and filed in the office of the Chief of Police,
waive the right to a hearing and appeal the charges directly to any
available authority specified by law or regulation, or follow any
other procedure recognized by a collective bargaining agreement or
as otherwise permitted by law.
F.
Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, and
depending upon the circumstances, a member of the Police Department
may, pursuant to the required procedures set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147
et seq. and the rules and regulations of the Police Department, be
suspended with or without pay pending a hearing as a result of the
charges made against the member.
G.
Mission
statement. The mission of the Cranbury Township Police Department
is to provide effective and efficient police services through a partnership
with the community, to prevent and deter crime as well as reduce the
fear of crime, to protect property and individual rights, and to improve
traffic safety through education and enforcement.
[Added 4-8-2013 by Ord. No. 03-13-09]
H.
Core values.
[Added 4-8-2013 by Ord. No. 03-13-09]
(1)
Integrity:
We are committed to maintaining the trust of our community through
honest, moral and ethical behavior that is above reproach.
(2)
Respect:
We are dedicated to being objective, fair, consistent, and compassionate
in the treatment of our community and fellow employees in all of
our actions.
(3)
Professionalism:
In partnership with the community, we strive to provide responsive,
effective and quality service through teamwork, problem solving, and
personal accountability.
I.
Vision statement.
[Added 4-8-2013 by Ord. No. 03-13-09]
(1)
The Cranbury
Township Police Department is staffed with the finest men and women
in law enforcement.
(2)
We will
provide a level of service which is second to none. We will deliver
a progressive and cost-effective law enforcement service as well as
identifying and meeting the challenges of our community. We will continue
to seek input from our citizens and employees in hopes of improving
the lives of our Township residents and guests.
(3)
To achieve
this vision, the Cranbury Township Police Department is dedicated
to sustaining a quality and equitable work environment that is based
on merit, and developing its members through effective training and
leadership.
A.
Police officers of the Cranbury Township Police Department
shall be available for private duty service for special events, road
closings, traffic duties, security at private parties or events or
similar functions. Payment for services shall be as follows:
[Amended 12-20-2010 by Ord. No. 12-10-19]
(1)
The fee
to be paid to the Township for such services shall be $90 per hour.
Of this amount, $75 per hour shall be paid to the police officer providing
the service and $15 per hour shall be retained by the Township.
[Amended 5-23-2022 by Ord. No. 05-22-06]
(2)
The minimum
amount of time for which police officers may be hired shall be four
hours per officer, except that the minimum shall only be three hours
per officer for services rendered on behalf of the Cranbury School.
Employees who work in excess of eight hours per day for the same person
shall be paid 1 1/2 times the rate for hours worked in excess of eight
hours.
(3)
A request
for a marked or unmarked police vehicle is $50 per day up to eight
hours and an additional $25 for over eight hours.
B.
A four-hour charge at $90 per hour will be assessed
if a job cancellation notice is not received and time stamped by the
Cranbury Township Police Headquarters at least three hours prior to
the scheduled starting time, except that the Cranbury School shall
only be responsible for the payment of the three-hour minimum per
officer in such instances.
[Amended 12-20-2010 by Ord. No. 12-10-19; 5-23-2022 by Ord. No. 05-22-06]
C.
The scheduling of officers for private duty shall
be subject to the approval of the Chief, Captain or Lieutenant.
The Chief of Police or designee shall establish
a drug screening procedure for applicants and employees of the Police
Department. The drug testing policy shall be reviewed and approved
by the Office of the Middlesex County Prosecutor. The policy shall
be adopted as a part of the Police Department's rules and regulations
and shall be amended from time to time so as to insure that applicants
to said Department and the Department's sworn law enforcement and
other personnel are drug free.
A.
Where the Township Committee determines that the provisions
of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-155 require that the Township provide a means of
defense or reimburse a police officer for legal costs, the hourly
rate for which the Township will be responsible shall not exceed the
hourly rate charged by the Township Attorney for litigation matters.
B.
All statements for professional services submitted
by attorneys representing police officers under this section shall
be subject to review and approval by the Township Attorney and the
Township Administrator.
[Added 1-28-2008 by Ord. No. 01-08-02]
A.
Creation of Office. Within the Department of Police
there shall be an Office of Emergency Management, which will be supervised
by the Emergency Management Coordinator.
B.
Emergency Management Coordinator. The Emergency Management
Coordinator shall have such powers and duties as are established by
the Department of Police. The Emergency Management Coordinator shall
be the Chief of Police, who shall receive no additional compensation
for said title. In the event that the Chief of Police is not a resident
of Middlesex County, then the next-highest-ranking officer in the
Department of Police shall serve as the Emergency Management Coordinator.
C.
Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.). General
orders issued by the Chief of Police, as same may be amended and supplemented
from time to time, shall establish the duties and responsibilities
of C.E.R.T. members. When performing said duties and responsibilities,
the C.E.R.T. members shall be under the supervision, and respond to
the direction of, the Emergency Management Coordinator.
[Added 9-8-2008 by Ord. No. 08-08-18]
A.
Establishment. There is hereby established in the
Township a volunteer Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.).
C.E.R.T. shall consist of up to 50 members. C.E.R.T., and its members,
shall be under the supervision, and respond to the direction of, the
Township's Emergency Management Coordinator.
B.
Appointments. Members shall be appointed to C.E.R.T.
by the Township Committee and shall serve terms of one year. C.E.R.T.
members serve at the will of the Chief of Police.
C.
Duties and responsibilities.
(1)
The duties and responsibilities of C.E.R.T. members
shall include:
(a)
Active members: C.E.R.T. members that are physically
able and willing to commit to field operations (directing traffic,
administering first aid and other physical activity).
(b)
Auxiliary members: C.E.R.T. members that can
assist with clerical and logistical duties (answering telephones,
serving food and other logistical activities).
(c)
Trained-only members: C.E.R.T. members who only
wish to receive C.E.R.T. training at this time.
(2)
The members shall perform such further duties and
responsibilities as assigned by the Township's Emergency Management
Coordinator or his/her designee.
D.
Insurance coverage. When performing their duties and
responsibilities for the Township, C.E.R.T. members shall be included
in, and covered by, the Township's general liability and workers'
compensation insurance plans as emergency management volunteers, to
the extent permissible under New Jersey law, as same may be amended
from time to time.
