[Adopted 6-6-2022 by Ord. No. 17-2022]
There is hereby created the position of Director of Public Safety (also referred to as "Public Safety Director") whose purpose shall be to serve as the civilian manager of the Police Department in and for the Township of Readington. The Township Committee is authorized to create this position pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:9.1.1.
The Director of Public Safety is an at-will employee and shall serve at the pleasure of the Township Committee.
A. 
The Director of Public Safety shall:
(1) 
Be the Chief Executive of the Police Department.
(2) 
Report to the Township Administrator, unless another person is designated as appropriate authority for the Township by ordinance.
(3) 
Recommend to the appropriate authority policies to be followed and implemented by the Chief of Police, or officer in charge in the event the position of Chief is vacant, for the efficient operation of the Police Department for the routine day-to-day operations of the Police Department as provided in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118.
(4) 
Prepare and submit the proposed budget for the Police Department to the Township Administrator per prescribed timelines.
(5) 
Report monthly to the appropriate authority and Township Committee on matters relating to the Police Department and make recommendations as to appropriate courses of action.
(6) 
Establish performance standards for the entire Police Department, in its entirety and individually, and conduct periodic evaluations to ensure compliance with said performance standards.
(7) 
Attend Township meetings as deemed necessary by the Township Administrator and act as a liaison for the Police Department with municipal committees and departments.
(8) 
The Director of Public Safety shall make recommendations, when appropriate, as to police and public safety personnel and Township ordinances relating to public safety.
(9) 
The Director of Public Safety shall also perform any and all other duties as shall be assigned by the Township Administrator.
B. 
The Director of Public Safety may, at any time:
(1) 
Examine the operations of the Police Department or the performance of any officer or member of the Police Department.
(2) 
Act to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the municipality in emergent situations through special emergency directives.
(3) 
Have and exercise all of the functions, powers and duties of a department head of the Township.
A. 
To be appointed to the position of Director of Public Safety, an individual must possess:
(1) 
At a minimum, an associate's degree in criminal justice, public administration or a closely related field and 25 years of professional police experience, of which at least 15 must be in a significant command position (e.g., Captain, Major, Deputy Chief or Chief); or bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public administration or a closely related field and at least 20 years of professional police experience of which at least 10 must be a significant command position (e.g., Captain, Major, Deputy Chief or Chief). A master's degree in any of the above disciplines or a closely related field is preferred and may count as additional years of service.
(2) 
Comprehensive knowledge of modern principles and practices in law enforcement, police science and criminology.
The Director of Public Safety shall receive compensation as designated by the Township Committee and fixed from time to time by ordinance adopted by the Township Committee.