[Amended 3-16-1987 by Ord. No. 6-87; 3-2-1987 by Ord. No. 7-87; 1-19-1988 by Ord. No. 2-88; 3-21-1988 by Ord. No. 10-88; 6-16-1988 by Ord. No. 20-88; 9-19-1988 by Ord. No. 45-88; 1-3-1989 by Ord. No. 70-88; 2-6-1989 by Ord. No. 3-89; 9-5-1989 by Ord. No. 30-89; 12-4-1989 by Ord. No. 45-89; 3-2-1992 by Ord. No. 4-92; 6-1-1992 by Ord. No. 21-92; 3-13-1995 by Ord. No. 10-95; 8-28-1995 by Ord. No. 49-95; 3-10-1997 by Ord. No. 7-97; 12-8-1997 by Ord. No. 43-97; 11-24-1997 by Ord. No. 45-97; 1-26-1998 by Ord. No. 11-98; 2-9-1998 by Ord. No. 14-98; 4-6-1998 by Ord. No. 22-98; 10-13-1998 by Ord. No. 76-98; 2-22-1999 by Ord. No. 7-99; 10-23-2000 by Ord. No. 49-00; 1-28-2002 by Ord. No. 04-02; 1-26-2004 by Ord. No. 03-04; 1-24-2005 by Ord. No. 02-05; 1-9-2006 by Ord. No. 38-2005; 9-24-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-20]
There shall be a Department of Police in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118. The Director of the Department shall be appointed by the Mayor with advice and consent of the Council.
A. 
Within the Department of Police there shall be four bureaus:
[Amended 10-4-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-26]
(1) 
Patrol Bureau.
(2) 
Detective Bureau.
(3) 
Professional Standards Bureau.
(4) 
Administration Bureau.
B. 
Each bureau shall consist of as many officers as the Chief of Police shall deem necessary.
A. 
Personnel.
(1) 
The Department of Police shall consist of the following sworn personnel, within the guidelines of the budget:
[Amended 10-4-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-26]
(a) 
A Chief of Police.
(b) 
Captains, not to exceed four in number.
(c) 
Lieutenants not to exceed eight in number.
[Amended 2-27-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-07]
(d) 
Sergeants not to exceed 17 in number.
[Amended 2-27-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-07; 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-19; 7-12-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-17]
(e) 
Patrol officers not to exceed 87 in number.
[Amended 2-27-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-07]
(2) 
Nothing herein shall be deemed to compel the termination (by layoff or otherwise) of any sworn officer.
B. 
Appointment to the position of police officer shall be made by the Director in accordance with the procedures in this article. The Director shall select from the list of qualified candidates established in accordance with this article, in order of ranking. All promotions to the rank of Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Chief of Police shall be made in accordance with this article.
C. 
All civilian employees performing police functions within the Department of Police shall be hired by the Director.
D. 
The Chief of Police shall report to the "appropriate authority," who shall be the Mayor, and as the appropriate authority shall promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118.
The Emergency Management Coordinators shall be appointed by the Mayor in accordance with N.J.S.A. Appendix A:9-33 et seq. and shall operate under the Police Department.
[Amended 7-28-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-12]
A. 
Eligibility.
(1) 
No person shall be appointed as a member of the Old Bridge Township Police Department unless he or she:
(a) 
Is a citizen of the United States and a resident of New Jersey and meets the age requirements pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-127.
(b) 
Is sound in body and of good health sufficient to satisfy the Board of Trustees of the Police and Fireman's Retirement System of New Jersey as to his or her eligibility for membership in the retirement system.
(c) 
Is able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently.
(d) 
Is of good moral character and has not been convicted of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude.
(e) 
Is appointed without political influence from anyone (state, local or federal).
(f) 
Has the mental stability, free of any abnormalities, needed to satisfactorily perform the job of a police officer.
(g) 
Has completed and passed a written examination, physical fitness testing, medical screening, psychological evaluation, oral interview, complete background investigation and drug testing.
(h) 
Education requirements. All college degrees and/or credits must be from a college or university nationally recognized accredited institution or agency by the U.S. Department of Education.
[1] 
Bachelor's degree; or
[2] 
Possess a minimum of 60 credits and two years of full time civilian employment; or
[3] 
Thirty credits and two years of military experience; or
[4] 
Two years of active duty military service or serve in a "combat zone" as defined under the State of New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, civil service preference clause, Numbers 1 through 14, and as may be amended in the future, with an honorable discharge.
B. 
Required tests.
(1) 
All applicants for the position of entry level police officer will be administered the following tests, which will be weighted as indicated:
(a) 
Written test, 50%: to be administered by an outside agency in compliance with the standards and guidelines set forth by the New Jersey Police Training Commission. A minimum score of 75% must be attained in order to qualify for the next phase, physical agility.
(b) 
Physical agility, 50%: to be administered by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP). A minimum score of 75% must be obtained in order to qualify for the next phase, oral board. The independent agency is to administer a test to comply with the current ADA regulations.
(2) 
Residency.
(a) 
Residency shall be determined at the time the applicants sign up for the testing procedure.
(b) 
For purposes of this section, a person shall be considered a resident if he or she has established a bona fide principal residence within the Township of Old Bridge for at least 24 consecutive months immediately preceding the date of his application. It is recognized that the list will be reclassified prior to each appointment or batch of appointments to insure that the applicant has continued to reside in the Township of Old Bridge since his application.
(c) 
All applicants determined to be a resident of Old Bridge Township pursuant to Subsection B(2)(a) and (b) above will receive one point which will be added to the final cumulative combined score of the written exam and physical exam. This is the only stage of the application process that the residency point is added.
(3) 
Only applicants that meet the minimum eligibility requirements as outlined in Subsection A of this section and those who have successfully passed both testing phases (written and physical agility) and have a combined average grade of 80% or better will be eligible for hiring.
(4) 
The Chief of Police will meet with the Mayor to determine the number of eligible candidates that will advance to the next stage of the application process based on the needs of the Police Department at the time of the test. The candidates will be notified as to their final number on the list and the number of eligible candidates that will be provided applications. Nothing herein shall prevent the Chief and Mayor from requesting additional applications from the list if it is determined that there are not enough candidates to fulfill the needs of the Department from the original list. This process will avoid the need to perform unnecessary extensive backgrounds and draw from the department's limited resources.
C. 
Application.
(1) 
Applicants as determined by the aggregate scores of the written and physical agility exam scores plus any additional points which the applicant is entitled to and are being offered the opportunity to continue in the process as determined pursuant to Subsection B(4) above will be notified. The applicant shall complete a detailed application which will be thoroughly investigated. Each applicant will be required to complete a waiver form allowing the release of all information concerning the candidate.
(2) 
Failure to pass the background investigation will disqualify an applicant. Major areas of concern which can lead to disqualification are:
(a) 
Criminal history including local, state and federal;
(b) 
Continuous poor driving record;
(c) 
Falsification of any information required to be provided by the applicant (given at any time);
(d) 
Verification of eligibility credentials under Subsection A(1) et seq. above.
(e) 
Negative information uncovered by investigators.
(f) 
Verification of at least three personal references.
(g) 
Random drug urine screening analysis throughout the entire process.
(3) 
A Detective shall prepare a background investigation report which shall be forwarded to the Chief of Police for review.
(a) 
Final determination as to the passage or failure of the background investigation will be made by the Chief of Police.
(b) 
Upon completion of all background investigations, all successful candidates will have a formal interview scheduled before an interview panel. The formal interview panel shall consist of the Mayor or Mayor's Designee, Chief of Police or his designee and one Captain.
(c) 
Panel members shall list the candidates based on their overall performance in the interview process and provide a list of no less than five and no more than 20 at the Mayor's request, along with any related documentation and forward that on to the Mayor for review and approval in accordance with the law.
D. 
Applicants which have been approved by the Mayor and offered a position will be required to pass a medical examination and a psychological examination prior to appointment.
(1) 
The Chief of Police may remove any applicant from the applicant list due to disqualification for medical or psychological reasons that would preclude the applicant from effectively performing the duties of a police officer.
(2) 
The Chief of Police shall furnish to the Mayor any documentation or reports supporting the removal request, prepared and signed by a physician, psychologist or psychiatrist who is licensed in the State of New Jersey.
(3) 
The Chief of Police's submission shall include a finding that the applicant is not qualified due to medical or psychological reasons for police officer.
E. 
New appointees will be required to attend the Police Academy and serve a probationary period for one year. The Police Academy shall be approved and authorized by the Police Training Commission in the Department of Law and Public Safety of the State of New Jersey.
F. 
The eligibility hiring list will be in rank order from highest to lowest of the top candidates. The list shall be in effect two years from the date of the written examination.
G. 
The Mayor shall have the sole discretion to utilize the list that is in existence at any time during the two-year period or initiate a new testing process.
H. 
Alternate police testing and hiring.
[Amended 7-28-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-13]
(1) 
The Alternate Route Program is a discretionary program that allows the Mayor or his designee to hire individuals who have successfully completed the Basic Course for Police Officers (BCPO) as set forth by the Police Training Commission under the direction of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice. The individual who successfully completes the academy portion of the Alternate Route Program will be eligible to apply for a regular full time position under this provision of the Old Bridge Township Code. This enables the Township of Old Bridge to consider candidates already trained without incurring the significant financial and time commitment to train officers to supplement the Old Bridge Township Police Department ranks.
(a) 
The Alternate Route Program was established pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:17B-69.2, which allows a person who completes a training course pursuant to Section 2 of P.L. 1998, c. 146 (N.J.S.A. 52:17b-69-1) shall only be eligible for appointment as a permanent full-time member of a department or force.
(b) 
Additionally, the Township of Old Bridge recognizes the ever changing demographics of the state and the community at large. The diversity-related component of this hiring process is one factor which the Mayor and/or his designee shall consider but is not determinative.
(c) 
This process will allow the Chief of Police to target and recommend, and the Mayor, his designee or Director of Police to hire, individuals who will contribute to overall Police Department excellence and have an immediate impact on the manpower and/or diversity of the department. The Alternate Route Program is purposely flexible so as to allow for consideration of many varied candidates and allows this premised on the need to diversify the Old Bridge Police Department and maintain an appropriate number of officers on the street.
(d) 
The diversity-related component includes but is not limited to race, gender, ethnicity, unique cultural background, bilingual language skills, prior law enforcement experience in diverse communities. This will support the need for diversity within the police force to further gain the trust and confidence of the entire community, which in turn will increase police effectiveness in serving and protecting the Township of Old Bridge.
(e) 
No person shall be hired under the Alternate Route Program unless the candidate has completed the necessary Alternate Route Basic Course (BCPO) requirements or SLEO II training with a waiver from the Police Training Commission (PTC). Successfully completes agency training and firearms qualifications by Old Bridge Township Police Department or other qualified agency. The candidate, once hired, must receive the Police Training Commission BCPO certificate from the school director within his probationary period as so designated by the Chief of Police or the employment will be terminated on or before the one-year anniversary. No officer shall remain employed with the Old Bridge Township Police Department without the PTC certificate.
(2) 
Notwithstanding the eligibility hiring list process, the Mayor, Director of Police or Mayors' designee, upon written recommendation from the Chief of Police, may make appointments to fill vacancies in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 52:17B-69.1 and N.J.S.A. 52:17B-69.2 for not more than six individuals each calendar year who have previously completed a police training course certified by the New Jersey Police Training Commission and have been individually recommended by the Chief of Police.
(3) 
The purpose of this subsection is to permit the hiring of individuals who are sworn officers in other jurisdictions or who have been or are eligible to be certified by the New Jersey Police Training Commission under the Alternate Route Program. These appointees must meet all standards set forth under § 5-98, Qualifications, of this article.
(4) 
The following screening process will be utilized:
(a) 
Alternate hiring candidates upon submission of an application and an invitation from the Chief of Police will participate in the oral interview process with the Chief of Police, Mayor or his designee and one Captain; a background investigation; physical examination, medical examination, and a psychological examination.
(b) 
Any alternate hiring applicant failing any phase of the hiring process as outlined above will cease to be a candidate for the position of Police Officer in the Old Bridge Township Police Department.
[Amended 7-28-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-12]
A. 
Each applicant shall comply with all the laws of the State of New Jersey pertaining thereto. No person shall be given or accept a permanent appointment as a police officer in the Township of Old Bridge unless such person has first been given a probationary or temporary appointment to such office for a period of one year and has successfully completed a police training course at a school approved and authorized by the Police Training Commission in the Department of Law and Public Safety of the State of New Jersey, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 56 of the Laws of 1961[1] and Township ordinances.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:17B-66 et seq.
B. 
No person shall be appointed to the Department of Police as a regular or probationary member unless, at the time of making application, he shall meet the age requirements of the New Jersey statutes, except as provided by law in the case of veterans and meet the following qualifications:
(1) 
Is a citizen of the United States and a resident of New Jersey and meets the age requirements pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-127.
(2) 
Is sound in body and of good health sufficient to satisfy the Board of Trustees of the Police and Fireman's Retirement System of New Jersey as to his or her eligibility for membership in the retirement system.
(3) 
Is able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently.
(4) 
Is of good moral character and has not been convicted of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude.
(5) 
Is appointed without political influence from anyone (state, local or federal).
(6) 
Has the mental stability, free of any abnormalities, needed to satisfactorily perform the job of a police officer.
(7) 
Has completed and passed a written examination, physical fitness testing, medical screening, psychological evaluation, oral interview, complete background investigation and drug testing.
(8) 
Education requirements. All college degrees and/or credits must be from a college or university nationally recognized accredited institution or agency by the U.S. Department of Education.
(a) 
Bachelor's degree; or
(b) 
Possess a minimum of 60 credits and two years of full time civilian employment; or
(c) 
Thirty credits and two years of military experience; or
(d) 
Two years of active duty military service or serve in a "combat zone" as defined under the State of New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, civil service preference clause, Numbers 1 through 14, and as may be amended in the future, with an honorable discharge.
C. 
Each member of the Police Department shall, before entering upon the performance of his or her duties, take and subscribe to an oath to bear true faith and allegiance to the government established in this state, to support the Constitution of the United States of America and the State of New Jersey and to faithfully, impartially and justly discharge and perform all duties of his office, which oath or affirmation shall be filed with the Clerk.
A. 
The internal control and discipline of the Department of Police and of its members shall be vested in the Chief of Police and he shall have the power to enforce all the rules and regulations herein provided and any general and special orders or instructions which he may, from time to time, promulgate. He shall enforce the Rules and Regulations, orders or instructions and may punish for their violation as provided in the Rules and Regulations adopted as set forth in § 5-95, Composition.
B. 
The Chief of Police, with the assistance of other members of the Department detailed for such purpose, shall keep a complete record as prescribed in the Rules and Regulations, and the Chief shall report to the appropriate authority all matters of importance pertaining to the Department and make sure recommendations, as in his opinion, will increase the efficiency of the Department.
C. 
The Chief of Police shall, pursuant to all applicable laws and purchasing procedures established by the Township of Old Bridge, from time to time, purchase new equipment or repair or rearrange such old equipment as will increase the efficiency of the Department. He shall have full charge and control of all the apparatus and equipment and office space of the Department and its assignment and use and shall be held responsible for its care, cleanliness and safekeeping.
D. 
In the temporary absence or disability of the Chief of Police, an Acting Chief of Police shall act in his place.
E. 
The Chief of Police will be responsible for establishing and maintaining a list of qualified applicants for the position of regular police officer. He shall also perform all other duties as prescribed in this article.
The Department of Police, through its Chief of Police and his staff, shall:
A. 
Preserve the public peace, protect life and property, prevent crime, detect and arrest offenders against the penal laws and ordinances effective within the Township, suppress riots, mobs and insurrections, disperse unlawful or dangerous assemblages and preserve order at all elections and public meetings and assemblages.
B. 
Administer and enforce laws and ordinances to regulate, direct, control and restrict the movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and the use of the streets by vehicles and persons to protect the safety and facilitate the convenience of motorists and pedestrians and to make and enforce rules and regulations not inconsistent with the ordinances and resolutions of the Township for such purposes.
C. 
Remove or cause to be removed all nuisances in the public streets, parks and other public places of the Township, inspect and observe all places of public amusement or assemblage and all places of business requiring any state or municipal license or permit and report, thereon, to the appropriate department.
D. 
Provide proper police attendance and protection at fires.
E. 
Provide for the attendance of its members in court as necessary for the prosecution and trial of persons charged with crimes and offenses and cooperate fully with the law enforcement and prosecuting authorities of federal, state and county governments.
F. 
Operate a training program to maintain and improve the police efficiency of the members of the Department.
A. 
Establishment. The position of Special Law Enforcement Officer is hereby established.
B. 
Placement. Special law enforcement officers shall be assigned within the Bureau of Administration.
C. 
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
COURT EMERGENCY
Any sudden, unexpected or unforeseeable event requiring the immediate use or deployment of law enforcement personnel as shall be determined by the Chief of Police, or, in the absence of the Chief, other chief law enforcement officers to whom the authority of designating an emergency has been prescribed by local ordinances.
SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Any person appointed pursuant to this article to temporarily or intermittently perform duties similar to those performed regularly by members of the Police Department or to provide assistance to the Police Department during unusual or emergency circumstances or at individual times during intermittent peak periods.
D. 
Application and appointment.
(1) 
A person may apply for the position of special law enforcement officer by submitting a written application for appointment to the Human Resources Director or for reappointment to the Chief of Police. Said application shall be on a form prescribed by the Chief of Police.
[Amended 7-22-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-12]
(2) 
No person shall be appointed as a special law enforcement officer unless that person meets the qualifications of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8 et seq. and specifically N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.10, as amended, and N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.11, as amended, and N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.14, as amended, and N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.16, as amended.
[Amended 3-19-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-08]
(3) 
Every applicant for the position of special law enforcement officer shall have his or her fingerprints taken, which fingerprints shall be filed with the Division of State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(4) 
If appointed, such appointment shall be for a period of one year, beginning January 1 and terminating December 31, or for such part of any year beginning upon date of appointment and terminated on December 31.
(5) 
After appointment, no special law enforcement officer may commence his duties as a special law enforcement officer unless he has successfully completed a training course established by the municipality and approved by the New Jersey Police Training Commission.
(6) 
A maximum of 100 special law enforcement officers may be appointed in any one calendar year.
(a) 
There shall be three classes of special law enforcement officers:
[Amended 3-19-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-08]
[1] 
Class One special law enforcement officers shall be authorized to perform routine traffic detail, spectator control and similar duties. Class One special law enforcement officers shall have the power to issue summonses for disorderly persons offenses, petty disorderly persons offenses, violation of municipal ordinances and violations of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes (motor vehicle offenses). The use of a firearm by a Class One special law enforcement officer is strictly prohibited.
[2] 
Class Two special law enforcement officers are authorized to exercise full powers and duties of a municipal police officer. Class Two special law enforcement officers are authorized to carry firearms.
[3] 
Class Three. Officers of this class shall be authorized to exercise full powers and duties similar to those of a permanent, regularly appointed full-time police officer while providing security at a public or nonpublic school or a county college on the school or college premises during hours when the public or nonpublic school or county college is normally in session or when it is occupied by public or nonpublic school or county college students or their teachers or professors. While on duty in the jurisdiction of employment, an officer may respond to offenses or emergencies off school or college grounds if they occur in the officer's presence while traveling to a school facility or county college, but an officer shall not otherwise be dispatched or dedicated to any assignment off school or college property.
[Added 3-19-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-08]
(b) 
The number of Class One special law enforcement officers shall be limited to 100 in any one calendar year.
(c) 
The number of Class Two special law enforcement officers shall be limited to 25% of the total number of regular Old Bridge Township police officers or the number of special police officers appointed by Old Bridge Township as of March 1, 1985, whichever number is greater.
(d) 
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 Old Bridge Township unless they are in fresh pursuit of any person who has committed an offense in Old Bridge.
(e) 
Each special law enforcement officer shall be compensated as a clothing allowance, at the rate of $250 per year, conditioned on each individual law enforcement officer working as a special law enforcement officer a minimum of 100 hours during his or her period of appointment. The compensation shall be paid only upon the above condition having been met.
(f) 
Residency. All special law enforcement officers first appointed after July 1, 2013, shall be residents of the State of New Jersey.
[Amended 7-22-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-12]
(g) 
Carrying firearms.
[1] 
Class Two 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.
[2] 
The Chief of Police may authorize any Class Two special law enforcement 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.
[3] 
If a special law enforcement officer is authorized to carry a firearm and a firearm is utilized by a special law enforcement 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 workday, unless the firearm so utilized by the special law enforcement officer is owned by the special law enforcement 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 Old Bridge Police Department.
[4] 
No special law enforcement officer may carry a firearm until he has satisfactorily completed the basic firearms course required by Old Bridge Township and the New Jersey Police Training Commission for regular police officers and shall annually requalify as required for regular Old Bridge police officers.
[5] 
The use of a firearm by an officer of Class Three shall be authorized pursuant to the provisions of Subdivision b of this Section 7 of P.L. 1985, c. 439 (N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.14). An officer of this class shall not be authorized to carry a firearm while off duty unless the officer complies with the requirements set forth in Subdivision l of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6 authorizing a retired law enforcement officer to carry a handgun.
[Added 3-19-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-08]
(h) 
A special law enforcement officer shall be deemed to be on duty while he is performing the public safety function on behalf of Old Bridge Township and when he is receiving compensation, if any, from Old Bridge Township at a rate hereinafter established. Special law enforcement officers may not be compensated from private sources.
(i) 
Uniform. All special law enforcement officers appointed by Old Bridge Township shall not commence their duties until they have obtained a uniform authorized by the Township of Old Bridge, which uniform shall include the uniform state insignia issued by the New Jersey Police Training Commission. The cost of said uniform shall be paid by the individual special law enforcement officer after his or her appointment.
(j) 
Employment status. All special law enforcement officers shall be considered part-time employees of the Township of Old Bridge. No vacation or sick leave shall accrue during periods of employment as a special law enforcement officer, nor shall the special law enforcement officer be entitled to receive other benefits which accrue to full-time employees of the Township of Old Bridge except those required to be provided by state law, including but not limited to workers' compensation insurance and liability insurance.
(k) 
Compensation.
[1] 
All special law enforcement officers shall be paid at the minimum of $16 per hour. All special law enforcement officers shall be paid at the minimum of $24 per hour on the following designated holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Primary Election Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, General Election Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving Day (following Friday) and Christmas Day. All special law enforcement officers shall be paid for all hours actually worked or the sum of four hours, whichever is greater.
[2] 
In addition to the amount of compensation received by the special law enforcement officer, which amount is being received by the Township of Old Bridge from third parties for the public services rendered by the special law enforcement officers, the third parties shall pay to the Township of Old Bridge an amount equal to the actual cost of insurance and other benefits which must be paid by the Township of Old Bridge on behalf of the special law enforcement officers, which in no event shall be less than 10% of the present hourly rate.
[3] 
The actual cost of insurance and other benefits shall be estimated by the Chief Financial Officer on the effective date of this chapter and on the first day of each succeeding year. The Chief Financial Officer shall estimate said costs by reference to the cost of workers' compensation insurance, disability insurance, pension contributions and any other costs or benefits that must be paid by the Township on behalf of part-time employees.
(l) 
Except for one special law enforcement officer who shall be designated "Administrative Law Enforcement Officer" and all special three officers, all special law enforcement officers shall be limited to a maximum of 20 hours of special law enforcement officer work in any one week. The hours of the Administrative Special Law Enforcement Officer and Class Three shall be unlimited.
[Amended 3-19-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-08]
(m) 
All special law enforcement officers may be required to work traffic safety assignments. The Chief of Police shall assign each special law enforcement officer one traffic safety assignment per month, as needed. This section shall in no way be interpreted as limiting any special law enforcement officer from requesting traffic safety assignments. Notwithstanding the above, any traffic safety assignment shall not interfere with the regular employment of a special law enforcement officer or interfere with any regular assignment as a special law enforcement officer. All traffic assignments shall be made part of the monthly schedule to be prepared by the Chief of Police or his designee.
(n) 
No full-time Township of Old Bridge employee shall be first appointed as a special law enforcement officer for the Township of Old Bridge after February 1, 2005.
The hours of employment for all sworn members of the Police Department shall not exceed the contractual agreement between the bargaining units and the Township of Old Bridge except that, in the case of an emergency, the Chief of Police shall have full authority to summon and keep on duty any and all such members during the period of emergency.
Discipline shall be in accordance with the established Rules and Regulations and the contractual agreements between the bargaining units and the Township of Old Bridge.
A. 
"Promotion" as used in this section, shall mean advancement to Sergeant. All applicants for promotion shall take competitive written and oral examinations, except as otherwise indicated herein.
B. 
Only such officers who have completed five years of service as a patrolman shall be eligible for promotion to the rank of Sergeant.
[Amended 2-27-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-07]
C. 
When a vacancy for a Sergeant exists and is to be filled, a notice of such vacancy and the time and place where application for examination for promotion to fill same is to be made shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the squad room of the police headquarters. The Chief of Police shall also advise candidates of recommended study materials relevant to the promotion examinations.
D. 
All promotions shall be based on merit and fitness. All promotions to Sergeant shall be made from the membership of the Department as constituted at the time of such promotion. No person shall be eligible for promotion to a superior position unless he has first served in the grade of patrolman in the Department.
E. 
The candidate for promotion must achieve a passing grade on tests administered by the New Jersey State Chiefs of Police Association or an equivalent agency approved by the Policemen's Benevolent Association, Local 127, in order to be considered for promotion. Each candidate shall be examined, in a written examination and an oral examination, under similar conditions, and performance shall be measured by the same standard and criteria. The Chief of Police shall receive the test results from the outside testing agency and shall certify the score of each candidate.
F. 
Candidates for promotion who receive a passing score on the oral and written examination shall be interviewed by a Local Interview Committee. In the case of promotions from the rank of patrolman to Sergeant, the Interview Committee shall consist of the Mayor or his designee, the Chief of Police or his designee and one superior officer from another Police Department chosen by the Police Benevolent Association, Local 127, from a list of five names submitted by the Chief of Police. Each candidate shall be interviewed by the Local Interview Committee under similar conditions in order to evaluate the merit and fitness of such candidate for promotion.
(1) 
The Committee shall consider the following factors for each candidate:
(a) 
Appearance, manner and bearing;
(b) 
Self expression;
(c) 
Judgment;
(d) 
Decisiveness;
(e) 
Education and specialized training; and
(f) 
Scope and level of experience, including merit commendations.
(2) 
Each factor shall be uniformly considered and applied to all candidates. Each member of the Committee shall score the candidates concerning the above-referenced facts, and the total shall be calculated to achieve the candidate's average interview score.
G. 
Candidates for promotion shall be assigned points for years of service within the Township of Old Bridge Police Department as follows: one point for each year of service, as computed as of the day of the year in which the promotional list is first posted.
H. 
Test scores.
(1) 
The Chief of Police shall calculate each candidate's composite grade by giving the oral examinations, the written examination and the Local Interview Committee scores the following relative weights:
(a) 
Written examination: 1/3;
(b) 
Oral examination: 1/3; and
(c) 
Local committee interview: 1/3.
(2) 
Test scores shall be calculated to the nearest tenth of a percentage point. After calculation of the candidate's score for the written examination, oral examination, and local interview, the Chief of Police shall then add thereto the number of points assigned for years of service as calculated in accordance with Subsection G hereinabove. No candidate shall be certified as eligible for promotion unless he has achieved a grade of at least 70 out of 100 on the written examination as well as the oral examination and the local committee interview, excluding seniority points.
I. 
The Chief of Police shall certify the composite score of each candidate and shall post the same in a conspicuous place in the squad room of the police headquarters, indicating the order of finish of the candidates; such list shall be posted within 30 days after the completion of all tests and interviews.
J. 
Any candidate, upon written request of the Chief of Police within five working days of the posting of such results, shall be entitled to review his test score and ranking with the Chief or his designee. No promotion shall be made until each such candidate has had an opportunity to exercise his right of review.
K. 
Upon completion of the above-mentioned procedure, the Chief of Police shall consider for promotion only those candidates who have been certified to be eligible for promotion. For each promotion, the Chief shall consider the first three names of candidates standing highest on the list of eligible and certified candidates. The Chief shall select one of the three so certified. In the event the candidates have the same score, preference shall be given to Old Bridge residents, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-122.6.
L. 
A list of candidates for promotion to the appropriate position shall be valid for a period of not more than three years from its first posting.
[Amended 2-27-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-07]
M. 
No candidate shall be promoted to the next higher rank until and unless he or she passes a medical (physical) examination and a psychiatric examination certifying his or her fitness to discharge the functions and responsibilities of the next higher rank.
N. 
Promotions may be made following the posting by the Chief of Police that a vacancy for the rank of Sergeant exists. Promotions, if made, shall be made by the Chief of Police in consultation with and subject to approval by the Mayor and subject to § 5-95 herein and the financial impact on the Township of Old Bridge.
[Amended 2-27-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-07]
O. 
Appeals of process. Within 10 days of the posting of the ranking of candidates, a candidate may file a written letter of appeal. Said letter must contain the reason(s) or justification(s) for an appeal and must be submitted to the Chief of Police, through the appropriate chain of command. The Chief of Police will assess the request, and make a determination of how the request will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Such requests may address the following areas of the promotion process:
[Added 11-19-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-19]
(1) 
Review and retabulation of the scored elements of the selection process.
(2) 
Review any evaluation or internal document that is not otherwise privileged or subject to disclosure that was used in the selection process related to the appellant.
(3) 
If the appeal impacts upon the results of the promotional ranking as determined by the Chief of Police, the candidate may be permitted to be reevaluated.
A. 
"Promotion" as used in this section, shall mean advancement to the rank of Lieutenant.
B. 
Only such officers who have held the rank of permanent Sergeant for one year with the Township of Old Bridge Police Department shall be eligible for promotion to the rank of Lieutenant.
C. 
Promotion to the rank of Lieutenant by the Chief of Police shall be based on merit and fitness as required in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-129. The permanent Sergeant with the most seniority in that rank will be promoted first. The permanent Sergeant with the second most seniority shall be promoted second, and so on.
D. 
Promotions may be made following the posting by the Chief of Police that a vacancy for the rank of Lieutenant exists. Promotions, if made, shall be made by the Chief of Police in consultation with and subject to approval by the Mayor and subject to § 5-95 herein and the financial impact on the Township of Old Bridge.
[Amended 2-27-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-07]
E. 
Appeals of process. Within 10 days of the posting of the ranking of candidates, a candidate may file a written letter of appeal. Said letter must contain the reason(s) or justification(s) for an appeal and must be submitted to the Chief of Police, through the appropriate chain of command. The Chief of Police will assess the request, and make a determination of how the request will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Such requests may address the following areas of the promotion process:
[Added 11-19-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-19]
(1) 
If applicable, review and retabulation of the scored elements of the selection process.
(2) 
Review any evaluation or internal document that is not otherwise privileged or subject to disclosure that was used in the selection process related to the appellant.
(3) 
If the appeal impacts upon the results of the promotional ranking as determined by the Chief of Police, the candidate may be permitted to be reevaluated.
A. 
"Promotion" as used in this section, shall mean advancement to the rank of Captain.
B. 
Only such officers who have completed one year of service as a permanent Lieutenant with the Township of Old Bridge shall be eligible for promotion to the rank of Captain.
C. 
The Chief of Police shall consider the merit and fitness of all eligible Lieutenants for possible promotion to the rank of Captain as required and in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-129. The Chief of Police shall then select the eligible Lieutenant of his choice to be promoted to the rank of Captain.
D. 
Promotions may be made following the posting by the Chief of Police that a vacancy for the rank of Captain exists. Promotions, if made, shall be made by the Chief of Police in consultation with and subject to approval by the Mayor and subject to § 5-95 herein and the financial impact on the Township of Old Bridge.
[Amended 2-27-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-07]
E. 
Appeals of process. Within 10 days of the posting of the ranking of candidates, a candidate may file a written letter of appeal. Said letter must contain the reason(s) or justification(s) for an appeal and must be submitted to the Chief of Police, through the appropriate chain of command. The Chief of Police will assess the request, and make a determination of how the request will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Such requests may address the following areas of the promotion process:
[Added 11-19-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-19]
(1) 
If applicable, review and retabulation of the scored elements of the selection process.
(2) 
Review any evaluation or internal document that is not otherwise privileged or subject to disclosure that was used in the selection process related to the appellant.
(3) 
If the appeal impacts upon the results of the promotional ranking as determined by the Chief of Police, the candidate may be permitted to be reevaluated.
A. 
"Promotion" as used in this section, shall mean advancement to the rank of Chief of Police.
B. 
Only such officers who have completed one year of service as a permanent Captain or permanent Lieutenant with the Township of Old Bridge Police Department, and have at least five years in an administrative position, shall be eligible for promotion to the rank of Chief of Police.
C. 
The Mayor shall interview all eligible candidates for possible promotion to the rank of Chief. The Mayor shall then select the candidate of his choice to be promoted to the rank of Chief of Police.
All firearms, which may be provided by the Township, shall remain the property of the Township.
[Amended 12-14-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-22]
A. 
Extra-duty assignments of regular or special police personnel for third-party requests for traffic control, crowd control or other police-type duty shall be made with the approval and through the office of the Chief of Police. Such extra duty shall be voluntary. While on such duty, the members so assigned shall be under the supervision and control of the Chief of Police and superior officers of the Department and shall be subject to the provisions of this section. For this service, the person requesting quasi-public police service shall compensate the Township for services rendered at an hourly rate in accordance with state and/or federal law, regulations or guidelines unless specifically set forth in this section below.
[Amended 4-26-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-12]
(1) 
Patrolmen who have not reached the final step on the salary guidelines of the collective bargaining agreement will be paid a rate of $85 per hour. All other patrolmen will be paid at a rate of time and a half of their current hourly rate of the collective bargaining agreement on the date of the extra-duty assignment.
(2) 
Sergeants will be paid at the rate of time and a half per hour based on the salary guidelines of the collective bargaining agreement on the date of the assignment.
(3) 
Lieutenants will be paid at the rate of time and a half per hour based on the salary guidelines of the collective bargaining agreement on the date of the assignment.
(4) 
Captains will be paid at the rate of time and a half per hour based on the salary guidelines of the collective bargaining agreement on the date of the assignment.
B. 
Any and all work being performed by a contractor or citizen that interferes or intrudes onto any state, county or local roadway within the boundaries of Old Bridge Township will require an officer to be present to ensure the safety of citizens traveling within the work area.
C. 
When capital improvement projects are contracted by Old Bridge Township that involve or intrude onto any local roadway, the Township’s Business Administrator, Engineer and Police Scheduling Officer shall meet to determine which Township roads will require police presence for public safety. Police officers shall be hired and scheduled in the manner prescribed by this section.
D. 
Citizens, organizations, companies, or third-party contractors may request the utilization of officers for extra-duty employment for security purposes. Requests for such services will be reviewed by the Chief of Police or his/her designee and shall be approved at the discretion and approval of the Chief of Police or his/her designee.
(1) 
Citizens, organizations, or companies requesting officers to work off-duty traffic and security jobs will pay the following rates:
(a) 
Officer: Officers' overtime rate of pay per hour for all extra-duty employment.
(b) 
Police vehicles: $20 per hour. This fee will be placed in a separate account by the Township to replenish and maintain the police patrol vehicle fleet.
(c) 
Administration fee: 3.5% of officer and vehicle fees.
(2) 
Old Bridge Township reserves the right to utilize a third-party company to administer the Township's extra-duty assignment program. In the event that the Township contracts with a third party for this program, the selected provider may charge an additional administrative fee above and beyond those fees set forth in § 5-109D(1)(a) through (c) above, or any other fee established in the Code for the Old Bridge Township Department of Police. The administrative service by the third-party contractor may include scheduling, billing, collections, or any other services previously performed by the Old Bridge Township Department of Police.