[Added 12-15-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-39]
A.
The position of parking enforcement officer is hereby created in
order to enforce state, county or municipal statutes, resolutions,
ordinances or regulations related to the parking of vehicles within
the Township of Old Bridge pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:9-154.7 et seq.
B.
A parking enforcement officer shall possess the power and authority
to:
(1)
Issue a parking ticket for a parking offense, as those two terms
are defined in the Parking Offenses Adjudication Act (N.J.S.A. 39:4-139.2
et seq.)
(2)
Serve and execute all process for any parking offense issuing out
of the court in the municipality having jurisdiction over the complaint;
and
(3)
Cause any vehicle parked, stored or abandoned in the municipality
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 the Township,
the costs of the towing and subsequent storage of the vehicle before
surrendering the vehicle to the owner or agent.
A.
For purposes of this article, a "parking enforcement officer" is
not a special law enforcement officer within the meaning of the Special
Law Enforcement Officers' Act (N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8 et seq.) and
is not a member of the Old Bridge Police Department. No parking enforcement
officer may carry or use a firearm while on duty.
B.
A parking enforcement officer is deemed to be on duty while the officer
is performing the public safety functions enumerated in this article
and for which the officer is receiving compensation, if any, from
the municipality.
C.
A parking enforcement officer is not eligible for membership in the
Police and Firemen's Retirement System established pursuant to N.J.S.A.
43:16A-1 et seq.
No person shall 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; and
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
act, the Chief of Police or his designee shall ascertain the eligibility
and qualifications of the applicant and report these determinations
in writing to the Business Administrator.
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 municipality. The Business Administrator 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.
A.
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 Township 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.
B.
The Township shall issue a permanent insignia not later than 90 days
following its first appointment of a parking enforcement officer.
The Township may issue a temporary insignia for use prior to the issuance
of permanent insignia.
C.
The Township may charge a reasonable fee for uniforms supplied pursuant
to this article but shall not charge a fee for the costs of required
training.
All persons employed by the Township, other than regular police
officers and special law enforcement officers, who are performing
the functions enumerated in this article on the effective date of
this article, are hereby designated as "parking enforcement officers"
and are deemed to be governed by the provisions of this article.
The position of parking enforcement officer shall be established
within the Department of Administration and shall be subject to the
direct supervision of the Business Administrator.
