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Borough of Jamesburg, NJ
Middlesex County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[1982 Code § 2-10.1]
A Police Department is hereby established in and for the Borough under the name of the Police Department of the Borough of Jamesburg.
[1982 Code § 2-10.2]
The Police Department shall have as their major function and duties, which shall be the obligation of all personnel of the Police Department, the following:
a. 
The preservation of peace.
b. 
The protection of life and property.
c. 
The arrest of violators of the law and recovery of property.
d. 
The prevention and detection of crime.
e. 
The enforcement of all laws of the State of New Jersey and all ordinances of the Borough.
f. 
Aid and service to the public.
g. 
Regulation of traffic and parking.
h. 
Youth guidance.
All Police Officers, regardless of rank, shall perform the duties imposed upon them by this section and by such rules, orders, and regulations as may be adopted by the Borough Council for the government and control of the Police Department.
[1982 Code § 2-10.3; Ord. No. 3-89]
The Police Department shall consist of a Chief of Police, and, within the discretion of the Borough Council, one Lieutenant, two Sergeants and such further personnel as may be necessary to properly maintain the Police Department.
[1982 Code § 2-10.4; Ord. No. 15-84 § 2; Ord. No. 03-02 § 1; Ord. No. 17-03 § 1]
The executive and administrative head of the Police Department shall be the Chief of Police. He shall be the chief executive officer of the Department and ultimately responsible for the enforcement of all laws and ordinances coming within his legal jurisdiction. The Chief of Police shall be responsible to the Business Administrator and the Mayor and Council and shall administer and direct the Police Department under the direction and control of the Mayor and Council through the Police Committee. Appropriate Authority is defined as the Mayor and the Police Commissioner.
The Chief of Police shall be responsible for the following duties pursuant to policies which may be established by the Borough Council:
a. 
Routine day to day operations of the Police Department of the Borough.
b. 
Administration and enforcement of rules and regulations and special emergency directives for the disposition and discipline of the force and its officers and personnel.
c. 
To exercise and discharge the functions, powers and duties of the force.
d. 
Prescribe the duties and assignments of all subordinates and other personnel.
e. 
Delegate such of his authority as he may deem necessary for the efficient operation of the force to be exercised under his discretion and supervision.
f. 
Report at least monthly to the Mayor and Council or as otherwise directed in such form as shall be prescribed by the Borough Council on the operation of the force during the preceding month and made such other reports as may be requested by the Mayor and Council.
[1982 Code § 2-10.4; Ord. No. 15-84; Ord. No. 23-89]
In the event the Chief of Police is unable to perform his duties, due to vacation, ill health, leave of absence, suspension or for any other reason; the ranking officer shall be appointed to perform the duties of Chief of Police.
The ranking officer shall be designated as Acting Police Chief by the Chief of Police, or if the Chief is unable to do so, by the Mayor and Council.
[1982 Code § 2-10.4; Ord. No. 15-84 § 4]
No person shall be appointed to the position of Chief of Police unless he shall:
a. 
Conform with all requirements for Police Officers as established by New Jersey Statutes.
b. 
Meet the physical requirements provided for by any New Jersey Statute, or regulation promulgated thereunder, or order, rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Borough Council.
c. 
Have successfully passed such examinations as shall be selected or required by the ordinances, rules and regulations of the Borough.
d. 
No person shall be appointed to the position of Chief of Police who shall have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
[Ord. No. 17-97 § 1]
No person shall be appointed to the Police Department unless he shall:
a. 
Be a resident of the State and a citizen of the United States for at least one year prior to employment.
b. 
Be not less than 21 years nor more than 35 years of age.
c. 
Possess a minimum of the following educational or prior experience requirements:
1. 
The candidate must possess a minimum of an associate's degree from an accredited college or university; or
2. 
The candidate must possess credits from having successfully completed the equivalent of four full-time semesters of course work taken at an accredited college or university; or
3. 
The candidate must have completed a minimum of two years active duty as a member of the Military with preference to the Military Police Branch of the armed services of the United States; or
4. 
The candidate must have served for a minimum of two years as a regular, full-time Police Officer for another Police Department in the State of New Jersey.
d. 
Meet the physical requirements provided for by any Statute of the State of New Jersey, or regulation promulgated thereunder, and order, rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Borough Council.
e. 
Have successfully passed such examinations as shall be selected or required by the rules and regulations referred to above.
No person shall be appointed to the Police Department who has been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude.
[1982 Code § 2-10.6]
Each member of the Police Department, regardless of rank, shall submit to an annual physical examination by a medical doctor to be designated by the Police Commissioner. The doctor's written report of his examination shall be made a part of each Police Officer's official record. Such examination may be more frequent than on an annual basis upon the order of the Mayor and Council.
[1982 Code § 2-10.7; Ord. No. 17-97 § 2]
All appointments to and promotions within the Police Department shall be by nomination of the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Borough Council. Candidates shall also be screened by the Chief of Police, the Police Commissioner and the Police Committee, who shall report their findings to the Mayor and Borough Council.
[Ord. No. 2-91; Ord. No. 17-97 § 2; 1982, 3-89; Ord. No. 17-97 § 2; 1982 Code § 2-10.7a; Ord. No. 3-89]
a. 
Probationary Period. Each person appointed to the Police Department shall first serve a probationary period of 12 months from the date of his appointment. The Mayor and Council may, upon recommendation of the Police Committee, waive the probationary period for just cause. During the probationary period, he shall be known as a probationary patrolman. The probationary period of 12 months may be extended for a period not to exceed 90 days upon recommendation of the Police Committee that such action is for the good of the service and if such recommendation is confirmed by the Mayor and Council. The Police Chief shall present a report and recommendation to the Police Committee at six month intervals. At the termination of the probationary period, the appointment as a Patrolman shall become final upon the recommendation of the Police Committee if such recommendation is confirmed by the Mayor and Council. If, at the expiration of the probationary period, the conduct or capacity of the probationary Patrolman has not been satisfactory to the Mayor and Council, the probationary Patrolman shall be notified, in writing, that he will not receive the appointment to the Police Department.
b. 
Promotion.
1. 
Promotion as used in this section shall be defined as advancement in rank.
2. 
All promotions shall be based on the officer's merit and ability. The Mayor and Council shall take into consideration the candidate's personnel record, experience and training, grades on examination, seniority and recommendations of the Chief of Police and other superior officers. All promotions to superior positions shall be made from the membership of the Department as constituted at the time of such promotion.
3. 
Investigation shall include investigation of job performance, personnel files, and consideration of the candidate's seniority as well as overall ability.
4. 
Each candidate shall be required to undergo psychological testing.
5. 
Upon completion of the above mentioned procedure, the Mayor and Council shall consider for promotion only those candidates whose investigation merits consideration. The Mayor and Council shall make the final decision in accordance with the New Jersey Statutes.
c. 
Probationary Officers. Each Police Officer promoted within the Police Department shall first serve a probationary period within the promoted rank for a period of six months from the date of his promotion. During the probationary period, he shall be known as a probationary sergeant, probationary lieutenant or whatever rank to which he may be promoted. The probationary period of six months may be extended for a period not to exceed 90 days additional, upon recommendation of the Police Committee that such action is for the good of the service and if such action is confirmed by the Mayor and Council. At the termination of the probationary period, the appointment to a new rank shall become final upon the recommendation of the Police Committee and the confirmation of the Mayor and Council. If, at the expiration of the probationary period, the conduct or capacity of the probationary Officer has not been satisfactory to the Mayor and Council, the probationary Officer shall be notified in writing that he will not receive permanent appointment to a higher rank. The Mayor and Council may waive the probationary period for any Officer who has served six months in an acting capacity, and demonstrated his/her ability to perform in the designated rank.
[1982 Code § 2-10.8]
No member of the Police Department shall be suspended, removed, fined, reduced in rank from or in office except by proceedings that are established in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147 et seq., and as established by the rules and regulations adopted for the Police Department of the Borough.
[1982 Code § 2-10.9]
a. 
Hours of Employment. The hours of employment of the members of the Police Department shall be as determined by the Mayor and Council.
b. 
Compensation. The rate of compensation of the members of the Police Department shall be that fixed and determined by ordinance of the Borough.
[1982 Code § 2-10.10]
Each member of the Police Department, including the Police Chief, Lieutenant, Sergeant and Patrolmen, shall devote his whole time and attention to his duties as a member of the Police Department. He shall not engage in nor accept employment, an occupation or position for compensation or remuneration which will interfere with or hamper his duties as a member of the Police Department. He shall not engage in any activity which will interfere with or hamper his duties as a member of the Police Department.
All members of the Police Department shall be permitted to engage in employment outside of the Police Department provided that the employment does not interfere with or hamper his duties as a member of the Police Department. However, prior to the acceptance of any employment, the Police Officer shall first obtain written approval of the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police shall maintain a list of all Police Officers who have been granted approval for outside employment setting forth:
a. 
Type of employment.
b. 
Hours of employment.
c. 
Place of employment.
d. 
The method by which the Police Officer may be contacted when engaged in the outside employment.
In addition, the Chief of Police shall supply in writing a list of all members of the Police Department who are engaged in outside employment to the Mayor and Council on or about January 1 of each year and shall supplement that list from time to time as may be necessary.
In the event a Police Officer is not satisfied with a determination of the Chief of Police in refusing to permit outside employment he shall submit a written request to the Mayor and Council for a hearing determining his request. The Mayor and Council shall cause to have the Police Committee conduct a hearing to take place within 30 days of the receipt of the request by the Police Officers.
[1982 Code § 2-10.11; New]
The Mayor and Borough Council shall, as provided by law, adopt rules and regulations for the administration of the Police Department and affix and enforce penalties for the violation of such rules and regulations. The Mayor and Borough Council may adopt such orders affecting the Police Department as from time to time may be necessary.
The general government and discipline of the Police Department shall be according to the rules and regulations contained in a certain volume entitled "Borough of Jamesburg, Middlesex County, New Jersey Police Department Police Manual and Rules and Regulations January, 1977," which manual and rules and regulations are hereby adopted in their entirety as and for the official rules and regulations of the Jamesburg Police Department. The Chief of Police shall be responsible for the distribution and dissemination of the manual and rules and regulations among the members of the Police Department and the Borough Clerk shall maintain no fewer than two copies of this manual and rules and regulations on file and available for the inspection of any and all interested parties.
[1982 Code § 2-10.12; Ord. No. 11-92]
a. 
All Special Law Enforcement Officers shall be under the supervision and direction of the Chief of Police or his direct designee and shall perform all of their duties only in the Borough of Jamesburg, unless they are in fresh pursuit of any person who has committed an offense in the Borough of Jamesburg.
b. 
Class 2 Special Law Enforcement Officers, when so authorized, may carry a firearm, but only when authorized in writing by the Chief of Police and only when on duty as a Special Law Enforcement Officer.
c. 
The Chief of Police may authorize any Class 2 Special Police Officer to arrest, subject to all applicable rules and regulations. Such authorization to arrest shall be limited to times when the authorized Special Law Enforcement Officer is on duty as a Special Law Enforcement Officer.
d. 
If a Special Law Enforcement Officer is authorized to carry a firearm and a firearm is utilized by a Special Police Officer while on duty, he shall return such firearm utilized to the officer in charge at the end of the Special Law Enforcement Officer's work day, unless the firearm so utilized by the Special Law Enforcement Officer is owned by the Special Police Officer and was acquired in compliance with a condition of employment prior to October 1, 1986. Any Special Law Enforcement Officer first appointed after October 1, 1986, shall use only a firearm supplied by the Jamesburg Police Department.
e. 
No Special Law Enforcement Officer may carry a firearm until he has satisfactorily completed the basic firearms course required by the Borough of Jamesburg and the New Jersey Police Training Commission for Regular Police Officers, and shall biannually re-qualify as required for Regular Jamesburg Police Officers.
f. 
The number of Class 2 Law Enforcement Officers shall be limited to 25% of the number of full time officers on the Borough of Jamesburg Police Department.
g. 
Class 2 Special Law Enforcement Officers are authorized to exercise full powers and duties of a Municipal Police Officer.
h. 
Class 1 Special Law Enforcement Officers shall be authorized to perform routine traffic detail, spectator control and similar duties. Class 1 Special Police Officers shall have the power to issue summonses for disorderly persons offenses, petty disorderly persons offenses, violations of municipal ordinances and violation of Title 39 of the New Jersey Statutes (motor vehicle offenses). The use of a firearm by a Class 1 Special Police Officer is strictly prohibited.
[Ord. No. 15-00 §§ 1 — 6; Ord. No. 06-08]
a. 
Intended Purpose and Objective. The intention of this subsection is to permit members of the Jamesburg Borough Police Department, during their off-duty hours, to engage in certain extra duty police-related activities for private persons or entities under specified circumstances and establish policy regarding the use of said officers.
b. 
Authorization for Assignments. The Chief of Police of the Borough of Jamesburg is hereby authorized to permit members of the Borough Police Department, during their off-duty hours, to engage in extra duty police-related activities for private reasons or entities under the provisions of this section. Any and all extra duty assignments must be determined and approved by the Chief of Police prior to the commencement of such employment. The Chief of Police shall obtain such information as he deems necessary in order to make his determination as to whether to permit the requested assignment. The Chief of Police may assign a patrol vehicle for use in performing the requested assignment if the Chief of Police determines that such patrol vehicle is necessary in order to properly perform the contracted duty. The Chief of Police may deny assignment or use of police officer(s) or vehicles and/or impose any condition(s) or requirement(s) as he, in his sole discretion, may deem to be in the best interests of the Borough and/or the police officer(s) or public safety. The Chief of Police shall be guided by the nature of the assignment and should avoid those with conflicts of interest and/or high risk of injury.
c. 
Nature of Work; Procedure for Assignment. The work to be performed shall be considered as a "special assignment from independent contractors" and will not be considered as a direct assignment. Officers engaged in such assignments shall conform to all Police Department rules, regulations, and procedures. After approval of the activity by the Chief of Police, the assignment of the necessary extra duty police officer(s) shall be made on a voluntary basis in accordance with a fair and reasonable system established and administered by the Chief of Police. Any law enforcement officers, when so employed by the Borough shall be treated as an employee of the Borough provided, however, that wages earned for outside employment shall not be applied toward pension benefits of law enforcement officers so employed, nor shall hours worked for outside employment be considered in any way compensable as overtime.
d. 
Escrow Accounts. Any person or entity requesting the services of an off-duty law enforcement officer of the Jamesburg Police Department shall estimate the number of hours such law enforcement services are required, which estimate shall be approved in writing by the Chief of Police, and shall establish an escrow account with the Borough Finance Officer by depositing an amount sufficient to cover the rates of compensation and administrative fees set forth in this section, for the total estimated hours of service.
Prior to posting any request for services of off-duty law enforcement officers, the Chief of Police, or his designee, shall verify that the balance in the escrow account of the person or entity requesting services is sufficient to cover the compensation and fees for the number of hours specified in the request for services. The Chief of Police shall not post a request for services from any person or entity unless all fees and compensation required in the manner described above have been deposited with the Borough Finance Officer. No officer shall provide any such services for more hours than are specified in the request for services.
In the event the funds in such an escrow account should become depleted, services of off-duty law enforcement officers shall cease and requests for further or future services shall not be performed or posted until additional funds have been deposited in the escrow account in the manner described above.
The person or entity requesting such services shall be responsible for ensuring that sufficient funds remain in escrow account in order to avoid any interruption of services.
e. 
Requests for Services. All requests for the services of off-duty law enforcement officers in the Borough of Jamesburg Police Department for a period of one week or longer shall be forwarded to the Chief of Police for posting at least 10 days before such services are required.
f. 
Rates of Compensation; Administrative Fee; Payment for Services. Fees for the services to be rendered shall be established by resolution of the Borough Council and may be amended from time to time at the Borough Council's discretion.
g. 
Insurance Coverage. The Borough shall be responsible to provide all necessary insurance coverage as required by law, including, but not limited to workers' compensation, public liability and claims for damage, personal injury including death or damage to property which may arise as a result of the Borough's performance under the agreement.
[1982 Code § 2-11.1]
The Borough Fire Department shall consist of one Chief and two Assistant Chiefs and as many firefighters as may be confirmed by the Borough Council. No person shall be considered a member of the Fire Department nor entitled to any of the privileges of membership, including voting at any election, unless his name has been returned to and approved by the Borough Council.
[1982 Code § 2-11.2]
Officers of the Fire Company shall be elected according to the bylaws of the Fire Company. In case two or more candidates for any such election for the same office shall have received an equal number of votes, the Borough Council shall, by ballot, appoint such officer from the two or more candidates having the highest number of votes.
[1982 Code § 2-11.3]
Charges against any member of the Fire Department shall follow procedures as outlined in the bylaws of the Fire Department. The charges shall then be forwarded to the Borough Council for their action.
Any member who has been expelled from any company and whose expulsion has been confirmed by the Borough Council shall not be allowed to join any other Company unless he shall have been reinstated by the Company from which he was expelled and again confirmed by the Borough Council. Any person, after being expelled by any Company, shall be entitled to a hearing before the Fire Committee, provided he shall serve a notice of appeal by mail or otherwise on the Foreman of his Company within 48 hours after receiving notice of such expulsion.
[1982 Code § 2-11.4]
The Secretary of the Fire Company shall keep a correct roll of the members of his Company, a record of the proceedings of its meetings, and shall upon every occasion when the Company is called together, either upon an alarm of fire or otherwise, call the roll of the names of the members of the Company before the Company shall be dismissed, and forthwith make to the Foreman thereof, a return of the absentees or delinquents, and shall transmit in writing to the Borough Council, the names of every member who may decease, resign, remove from the Borough or be expelled, within 30 days after such removal, death, resignation or expulsion.
[1982 Code § 2-11.5]
Each active member of the Fire Department shall be entitled to the exemptions allowed by law of the State. The Borough Clerk, after May 1 and before May 15, in each year, shall prepare certificates of all the members of the Fire Department in good and active standing and file such certificates with the Borough Collector and the Borough Assessor.
[1982 Code § 2-11.6]
a. 
Fire Committee; Appointment and Duties. At the time of the annual organization of the Borough Council, the Mayor and Council shall appoint a Fire Committee from the Council, consisting of three members. One of these shall be designated as Chairman by the Mayor and Council.
The Fire Committee shall have full and complete control over and direction of the equipment and personnel of the Fire Department, except at fires or otherwise on duty.
It shall be the duty of the Chairman of the Fire Committee to report at each meeting of the Borough Council on the activities of the Fire Department and to make recommendations for the general efficiency and welfare of the Department.
The Fire Chief shall make monthly reports to the Chairman of the Fire Committee.
b. 
Board of Engineers of the Fire Department; Establishment; Powers. The Chief and the Assistant Chiefs, together with the Foreman and the Assistant Foreman, shall constitute and be called the Board of Engineers of the Fire Department. A majority of such Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and no resolution or order of the Board shall be adopted unless with the consent of a majority of all the members thereof.
The Board shall have power to meet on their own appointment or whenever the Chief shall call a meeting, and may, subject to the approval of the Borough Council, adopt such rules and regulations for their own government and for the government of the members of the Department as they may deem advisable, provided the rules and laws are not inconsistent with the laws of the State or the ordinances of the Borough, and the members of such Department are hereby made subject to such rules and bylaws when approved by the Borough Council. Amendments to bylaws shall be approved by the Borough Council.
c. 
Chief of Fire Department; Power and Duties. The Chief in all cases shall have the sole and absolute control and command over all the persons attached to the Fire Department, and shall direct their operations at all fires, so as most effectually to prevent the destruction of life and property. In all cases of fire, he shall take prompt and efficient measures and use the means of the Department to extinguish the same. He shall have the sole and absolute control and command over all the fire engines and fire apparatus and over all persons aiding or assisting the department in such cases. The Assistant Chiefs shall aid the Chief in the discharge of his duty, and in case of the absence or disability of the Chief, shall act in his stead and be clothed with all his powers and responsibilities.
It shall be the duty of the Chief at least once in each month, to examine the engine house, fire engines, hose and other fire apparatus, and the public cistern and hydrants, and to keep a record of the condition in which such engine houses, fire alarm system, engines, hose and other apparatus were found by him.
The Chief shall also have the power to call out, in the month of May, in each year, for review and inspection, all persons belonging to the Fire Department.
He shall, under the direction of the Fire Committee, superintend and direct all ordinary and necessary repairs to the fire engines, and other fire apparatus.
[1982 Code § 2-11.7]
No fire engine or other fire apparatus shall be taken without the limits of the Borough without the consent of the Borough Fire Committee; in case of any fire in an adjoining community the Chief or the Fire Committee may permit apparatus to go outside the Borough limits to render aid in extinguishing such fires; such permission, however, shall always be in writing.
[1982 Code § 2-11.8; New]
a. 
No person shall follow any piece of fire apparatus going out on an alarm, at a distance closer than 300 feet.
b. 
No person shall injure or assist in injuring any part of the fire alarm apparatus, or shall strike an alarm or aid or assist in causing an alarm to be struck with the intention of creating a false alarm.
c. 
No person shall interfere with the fire engines or apparatus at any fire, disobey any order of the Chief or the Assistant Engineers, create any disturbance at the scene of a fire or in any way obstruct the efficiency of the Department in the extinguishing of fires.
d. 
No person while attending a fire or going to or returning from a fire, or an alarm of fire, shall willfully neglect or refuse to obey any command or order of the Officers in charge of the Fire Department.
e. 
No person shall enter or remain within any fire lines or limits established at any fire, without having the written permission of the Chief or Assistants, unless such persons shall be entitled to be within such fire lines or limits by the rules of the Board of Engineers.