[Adopted 11-24-1924 by Ord. No. 19]
A.
The Police Department of the Township of Rochelle
Park is hereby established to consist of the following officers:
[Amended 8-15-2001 by Ord. No. 836-01; 12-19-2001 by Ord. No. 845-01; 6-21-2006 by Ord. No.
947-06; ; 6-17-2015 by Ord. No. 1087-15]
B.
The Township Committee may employ officers and men
regularly and temporarily in the case of emergency for a term not
exceeding one year and discharge such temporary officers and men at
the expiration of such temporary employment. Such temporary officers
and men or special policemen shall not be members of the Police Department,
and their powers, rights and duties shall immediately cease and desist
at the expiration of the term for which they were appointed. Any such
appointment of special policemen or temporary officers and men may
be revoked at any time without cause and without hearing, and a fee
may be charged to any such officer for issuing a certificate of appointment.
[Added 10-20-2010 by Ord. No. 1023-10]
In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118 there
is hereby established the "appropriate authority," which shall be
a committee. The membership of the committee shall be the Mayor, Township
Administrator and one member of the Township Committee who shall be
designated as Police Liaison.
The office of the Chief of Police is hereby
authorized as the headquarters of the Police Department.
The members of the Police Department shall,
when on duty, wear such uniforms and badges or signs of office as
shall be from time to time prescribed by the Township Committee.
[Amended 8-15-2001 by Ord. No. 836-01; 5-18-2011 by Ord. No. 1031-11]
A.
Applications for appointment to the Police Department shall be made to the Chief of Police on the form of application which may be obtained from the Police Department upon payment of the nonrefundable application fee determined by the Police Department. The process and procedure for employment shall be as set forth in Chapter 27 of the Township Code and will, at all times, be subject to and in accordance with the directions, supervision and control by the properly established “appropriate authority” which has been appointed in accordance with the provisions of state law.
B.
Upon completion
of the employment process and the hiring of a police officer, the
resume, records, evaluations and recommendations utilized in that
process shall remain in effect for a period of one year from the date
of the initial hiring. Subsequent hiring, within a period of one year,
may be made from the same list if the Township Committee and the appropriate
authority determine that it would be in the best interest of the municipality
to utilize the same list. The Township Committee and appropriate authority
may, however, commence the process from the start if they believe
it is advisable to do so.
It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police
to examine carefully the education, mental, moral and physical fitness
of any person making application to be appointed to the Police Department.
[Amended 8-6-1973 by Ord. No. 347]
Each applicant applying for a full-time position
in the Township of Rochelle Park shall be required to meet all of
the following minimum qualifications before being considered eligible
for appointment to the Police Department of the Township of Rochelle
Park:
A.
No person shall be appointed a member of the Police
Department unless he possesses the requisite qualifications described
by the applicable statutes of New Jersey relating to age, residence
and other eligibility requirement. All applicants must be at least
18 years old on the date of the examination, either written or oral,
whichever comes first, and must not reach their 35th birthday prior
to their appointment date.
[Amended 1-24-1996 by Ord. No. 710; 8-15-2001 by Ord. No. 836-01]
B.
Effective January 2002, in order to qualify to take
the police examination, an applicant must have:
[Amended 8-15-2001 by Ord. No. 836-01]
(1)
A bachelor's degree signifying completion of the undergraduate
curriculum and graduation from an accredited college or university;
or
(2)
Alternatively, an associate's degree or have 60 semester
hours of college credits from an accredited college or university,
plus at least two years of military experience and honorably discharged
from same or a minimum of two years full time police experience (i.e.,
police dispatcher, auxiliary police officer, special police officer);
or
(3)
Five years' full-time police officer experience.
C.
Each candidate for appointment to the Police Department
must satisfactorily pass such physical, psychological and psychiatric
examinations as may be required before physicians, psychologists or
psychiatrists designated by the Township Committee. Such examinations
shall be designed to determine, according to accepted medical and
psychological standards, the candidate's fitness and ability to perform
the duties of a police officer without danger or impediment to the
health, safety and welfare of the candidates, fellow officers and
the public at large and the candidate's eligibility for inclusion
in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System.
[Amended 5-5-1986 by Ord. No. 519; 1-24-1996 by Ord. No. 710]
E.
He shall be of good moral character and have a record
free of any conviction of any crime or indictable offense or any crime
or offense involving moral turpitude.
F.
He shall be a holder of a valid New Jersey driver's
license with no history of a poor driving record.
G.
He shall meet all the minimum requirements expressed
from time to time by the laws of the State of New Jersey. Should there
be any conflict between the requirements as set forth herein and the
requirements of the statutes of the State of New Jersey, the statutes
of the State of New Jersey shall apply.
A.
Each applicant shall also be fingerprinted and the
fingerprints filed with the New Jersey State Police and the Federal
Bureau of Investigation and shall consent to a thorough background
and character investigation prior to appointment if required by the
Chief of Police.
B.
All applicants shall be required to be able to pass
such written and oral examination as selected and prepared by the
Chief of Police and approved by the Township Committee.[1]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection C, regarding the requirement
of six months’ residency, and Subsection D, regarding the residency
requirement exception for county residents, which immediately, respectively,
followed this subsection, were repealed 5-18-2011 by Ord. No. 1031-11.
It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police
to prepare a payroll on the first day of each month, certifying the
number of policemen and the amount due to each, which payroll shall
be submitted to the Township Committee of the Township of Rochelle
Park, and if found to be correct by the Township Committee and so
certified to, the Treasurer of the Township of Rochelle Park shall
be authorized to pay the amount set forth in said certificate; and
in all cases where the Chief of Police shall have deducted any pay
from the salary of any policeman for absence from duty and any dispute
shall arise concerning the correctness of said deduction, the Township
Committee of the Township of Rochelle Park shall decide as to whether
an allowance is to be added to the amount due such policeman on the
next payroll.
[Amended 1-24-1996 by Ord. No. 710]
A.
The duties of the Chief of Police shall be as annunciated
in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118. In addition to the duties annunciated therein,
the Chief shall operate where there is a police emergency that presents
a threat to the safety and welfare of the persons within the Township
of Rochelle Park or a threat to structure or damage to property belonging
to the residents, individuals or businesses of the Township of Rochelle
Park.
B.
It is understood that the powers granted to the Chief
herein relate to police powers. All other matters relating to civil
defense and disaster control shall come under the jurisdiction of
the Municipal Disaster Control Director, whose duties are set forth
in the State Emergency Operations Plan of December 1990, N.J.S.A.
App. A:9-33.1 et seq. The power to declare an emergency shall be under
the jurisdiction and control of the Township Committee.
[Added 1-24-1996 by Ord. No. 710]
A.
"Emergency" shall be defined as a circumstance, situation
or condition of vehicular movement, unlawful activity, public gathering,
a condition which tends to endanger the welfare and safety of the
public or a disturbance of the peace which may reasonably tend to
result in damage to or destruction of property located within the
Township.
B.
In case of emergency, as declared by the Township
Committee, the Chief may take all lawful action which is necessary
and reasonable to curtail or reduce such emergency. This shall include:
(1)
The redirection of traffic.
(2)
The posting of EMERGENCY - NO PARKING signs and the
prohibition of parking on streets in such areas as are designated
by such signs, to include either one or both sides of each street
area.
(3)
Increasing normal police patrol activities or presence
until such time as the emergency has passed.
(4)
Directing other agencies of the Township to render
such assistance as may be required to respond to the declared emergency.
[Added 1-24-1996 by Ord. No. 710]
Any person failing to heed the instructions
or directions of the police officers at the scene, as set forth above,
shall be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 and/or incarceration
for a term of not more than 90 days.
Each and every policeman shall make complaint
to the Municipal Court of every person known to him to have violated
an ordinance of the Township of Rochelle Park and shall have the power
to arrest in all criminal cases, without warrant in case such policeman
shall be an eyewitness to the commission of the offense, and also
to arrest all vagrants, drunkards, prostitutes and all persons discharging
firearms or exposing his or her person in an indecent manner or exposing
for sale any indecent book, picture or print.
[Amended 5-5-1986 by Ord. No. 519; 1-25-1995 by Ord. No. 687]
No member of the Police Department shall be
removed from office or employment in such Police Department for political
reasons or for any other cause than incapacity, misconduct or disobedience
of just rules and regulations established or which may be established
for the Police Department in the Township of Rochelle Park; provided,
however, that any member of the Police Department who shall be absent
from duty without just cause for a term of five days continuously
shall, at the expiration of said five days, cease to be a member of
the Police Department. No person, whether an officer or employee of
the Police Department, shall be removed from office or employment
therein except after just cause as herein provided and then only after
written charge or charges of the cause or Causes of the complaint
have been preferred against such officer or employee, signed by the
person or persons making such charge or charges and filed in the office
of the Chief of Police, and a copy shall be served upon the member
or officer so charged with notice of a designated hearing before the
Township Committee or other appropriate authority as designated by
the Township Committee. Appropriate authority shall be the Mayor,
the entire Township Committee or a subcommittee of said body, including
the Township Administrator or an independent hearing officer. Said
notice shall provide for a designated hearing date within 30, but
not less than 10 days from the service of the complaint.
[Amended 1-25-1995 by Ord. No. 687; 1-24-1996 by Ord. No. 710; 3-20-2013 by Ord. No. 1055-13]
A.
Each member
of the Police Department shall be presented with a copy of the printed
rules and regulations of the Police Department. It shall be the member’s
duty to follow the provisions of these rules and regulations and,
where necessary, to enforce the provisions of these rules and regulations
against other members of the Department.
B.
The rules
and regulations of the Department have been adopted by the “Appropriate
Authority” and are hereby ratified and adopted.
C.
Said rules
and regulations shall be on file and available for inspection during
business hours in the office of the Chief of Police or the Municipal
Clerk.
Any member of the Police Department may be removed
from office as provided by law, in addition to any other punishment
to which he may be subject by law, against whom any of the following
charges may be substantiated:
A.
Intoxication while on or off duty.
B.
Willful disobedience of orders.
C.
Indecent, profane or harsh language.
D.
Disrespect to a superior.
E.
Unnecessary violence to prisoners and citizens.
F.
Leaving his beat without good reason.
G.
Neglect in paying his just debts for rent or necessaries
contracted while on the force.
H.
Immorality, indecency or lewdness.
I.
Absence without leave.
J.
Incompetency, lack of energy and incapacity, mentally
or physically.
K.
Entering, while on duty, a house of prostitution or
assignation, gambling houses or rooms or businesses where alcoholic
beverages are for sale, unless in the discharge of his duty.
[Amended 5-5-1986 by Ord. No. 519]
L.
Sleeping on duty.
M.
Neglect of duty.
N.
Violating any criminal law or penal ordinance.
O.
Making known any proposed movement of the Department.
P.
Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.
Q.
Conduct subversive of good order and the discipline
of the Department.
R.
Willful maltreatment of a prisoner or citizen.
S.
Refusing to do duty of any kind, whenever necessity
requires, whether on patrol or elsewhere and whether in uniform or
not.
The provisions of an Act entitled "An Act Providing
For the Pensioning of Police Officers and Policemen in Certain Municipalities
of This State," Chapter 72 of the Laws of 1911, its amendments and
supplements,[1] are hereby adopted relative to the pensions for the Police
Department of the Township of Rochelle Park.
[1]
Editor's Note: For current provisions, see
N.J.S.A. 43:16-1 et seq. and N.J.S.A. 43:16A-1 et seq.
[Added 9-18-2002 by Ord. No. 863-02]
A.
Promotion policy. Promotion denotes vertical movement
in the organization hierarchy from one rank classification to another.
Validity of the promotional process can only be accomplished through
clear and concise procedures. A promotional process has been developed
to identify employees who possess the ability to assume greater responsibilities
combined with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform competently
at a higher organizational level. This policy is established for the
position of Sergeant.
B.
Eligibility for promotion. In order to be eligible
for promotion from patrol officer to the rank of Sergeant, said officer
must serve for a period of seven full calendar years as a patrol officer
within the Township of Rochelle Park before the effective date of
promotion.
C.
Promotional criteria. All candidates seeking promotion
to the rank of Sergeant shall be evaluated based upon the following
criteria:
(1)
Written examination: 20% of total score.
(2)
Oral in-house examination: 20% of total score.
(3)
Job performance evaluation: 20% of total score.
(4)
Seniority: 20% of total score.
(5)
Township Committee interview: 20% of total score.
(6)
In addition to the foregoing, a psychological test
shall be conducted which a candidate must pass in order to be eligible
for promotion. The psychological testing shall be on a pass/fail basis.
(a)
Written examination.
[1]
All candidates for promotion shall submit to
a written examination. The written examination shall be administered
by the New Jersey State Chiefs of Police Association, the State of
New Jersey Department of Personnel or any other standardized promotional
examination selected at the discretion of the Township Committee.
[2]
At least 60 days prior to the date a written
examination is scheduled, a notice shall be posted at the Police Department
that will set forth the following:
(b)
Oral in-house examination.
[1]
All candidates participating in the written
examination phase shall be eligible to participate in the oral in-house
examination phase. The in-house examination shall be conducted by
the Chief of Police, together with up to two additional members of
the Rochelle Park Police Department to be selected by the Chief of
Police.
[2]
Candidates shall be notified by the Chief of
Police of their scheduled examination date at least 10 days prior
to the date.
[3]
The in-house examination shall consist of a
number of questions, not to exceed 10, posed to the candidate to which
the candidate must provide oral answers. The same questions shall
be given to each of the candidates. The Chief of Police and/or his
committee shall provide the following percentages towards the candidate's
overall score:
(c)
Job performance.
[1]
The job performance of each applicant shall
be evaluated based upon a standardized checklist to be developed by
the Chief of Police, and job performance evaluation shall include
attendance, awards received, ability to relate to members of the public,
ability to handle emergencies, computer skills, knowledge of current
law and arrest procedures. The checklist shall also include such other
information as the Chief of Police shall deem appropriate.
[2]
Upon evaluation of the standardized checklist,
the Chief of Police shall assign a percentage to the scores, which
percentage shall be counted towards the overall evaluation score.
The maximum score to be assigned shalt be 20% and the minimum shall
be 5%.
(d)
Seniority. Seniority will be assessed as one
of the stages of the promotional process. Seniority shall be determined
by the number of years of service completed, commencing on the date
on which the employee was sworn in or the date first placed on the
payroll, whichever date first occurred. Seniority shall count in the
following percentages towards the overall score:
(e)
Personal interview by Township Committee. A
personal interview shall be conducted with all candidates for promotion.
The information to be viewed during the interview will come from each
candidate's personnel file. Each candidate shall be given the opportunity
to make a personal statement if he or she chooses to do so. Each Township
Committee member shall grade each candidate based on the interview.
The maximum attainable score for the interview shalt be 20%, which
shall be determined based upon the average of each individual Committee
member's score. Factors to be considered by the Township Committee
in scoring the candidate's interview shall include:
[1]
Town volunteerism.
[2]
Education.
[3]
Department assignments.
[4]
Training.
[5]
Supervisory experience.
[6]
Attitude.
[7]
Use of sick time.
[8]
Appearance and demeanor.
[9]
Rapport with fellow employees and the public.
[10]
Relevant life experience, including
military or other job experience.
[11]
Such other information deemed
relevant by the Township Committee.
(f)
Total evaluation score.
[Amended 10-20-2010 by Ord. No. 1022-10]
[1]
Each of the five foregoing criteria categories shall be worth up
to twenty percentage points. The total candidate score shall be determined
based upon adding the total percentage points from each category.
[2]
The total score shall be used in determining promotional opportunity.
The Township Committee reserves the right, however, to promote based
upon their sole discretion, notwithstanding the total evaluation score
set forth herein. The ultimate decision regarding promotion, therefore,
rests with the Township Committee. The total evaluation score determined
pursuant to this article shall be used for consideration in the promotional
process for a period of three years from the date that the score is
determined. After three years, the process must be reinstituted.
[Added 3-21-2012 by Ord. No. 1046-12]
A.
Promotions.
(1)
The Township Committee desires to promote the most qualified
candidates to positions of higher rank. This section establishes the
eligibility requirements and the process for promotion for all higher
ranks with the exception of promotion to the rank of Sergeant which
is controlled by the preceding section of this article.
(2)
The promotion process shall be on the basis of merit, experience,
education and demonstrated ability. In accordance with the provisions
of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-129, no person shall be eligible for promotion
to be a superior officer unless he or she has previously served as
patrol officer in such department or force.
B.
Promotional standards to rank of Lieutenant. Candidates for the position
of Lieutenant shall participate in a promotional procedure administered
by the Township Committee which shall consist of the following:
(1)
Interview with the appropriate authority, Township Committee
and Police Chief; interview to include review of leadership, performance,
seniority and education.
(2)
Leadership evaluation: poise, alertness, ability to communicate
clearly and effectively, and ability to effect good work and public
relations and moral character.
(3)
The candidate must either hold the rank of Sergeant or possess
at least 15 years' experience as a police officer.
C.
Promotional standards for promotion to rank of Captain. The Township
of Rochelle Park requires that the Captain shall have held the rank
of Sergeant and/or Lieutenant with the Township of Rochelle Park Police
Department. Candidates for the position of Captain shall participate
in a promotional procedure administered by the Township Committee
which shall consist of the following:
(1)
Interview with the appropriate authority, Township Committee
and Police Chief; interview to include review of leadership, performance,
seniority and education.
(2)
Leadership evaluation: poise, alertness, ability to communicate
clearly and effectively, and ability to effect good work and public
relations and moral character.
(3)
Candidate shall possess a minimum of five years' supervisory
and management experience in law enforcement as a Lieutenant or Sergeant.
D.
Chief of Police qualifications. Candidates for the position of Chief
of Police shall participate in a promotional procedure administered
by the Township Committee and the appropriate authority. The Township
Committee and appropriate authority shall consider the following:
(1)
The candidates' knowledge of criminal law and procedure, police
science and police administration, leadership and management, ability,
general knowledge of local government and N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118, the
candidates' poise, alertness, ability to communicate clearly and effectively,
ability to effect good working and public relations and moral character.
(2)
Candidates should have at least five years' supervisory experience
in the rank of Captain or Lieutenant.
