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City of Northfield, NJ
Atlantic County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (1) Index
[Adopted 12-21-1925 by Ord. No. 11-1925; amended in its entirety 5-6-1975 by Ord. No. 3-1975 (Ch. 35, Art. I, of the 1974 Code)]
There shall be established, maintained, regulated and controlled, for the protection of life and property, a Police Department in the City of Northfield, known as the "Northfield Police Department."
The Police Department shall consist of full-time paid employees, now therein or hereafter provided for by Council, and such paid auxiliary police as now exist or may hereafter exist, provided that such auxiliary police shall accept the conditions and provisions of this chapter.
[Added 5-23-2006 by Ord. No. 9-2006[1]]
The Mayor or his/her designee shall be designated as the "appropriate authority" and shall be responsible for the overall performance of the Police Department. The appropriate authority shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for the government of the Department and for the discipline of its members. See N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
[Amended 5-23-2006 by Ord. No. 9-2006]
A. 
The Mayor shall be the head of the Police Department and shall have the exclusive power to appoint, suspend and remove all members and all officers in such Department, and he or she may also appoint such members as shall be deemed necessary. The appointments, however, shall not take effect until confirmed by a majority vote of the City Council. The Mayor shall see that all such officers are prompt and faithful in the discharge of their duties and shall, from time to time, take such measures as he or she may deem necessary for the preservation of peace and good order and the enforcement of the laws and ordinances of the City of Northfield.
B. 
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118, the Mayor shall be designated as the "appropriate authority" and exercise duties and functions therein, including the promulgation of rules and regulations.
C. 
During the temporary absence of a commanding officer, when no other provision is made by the Chief of Police, the Mayor shall appoint an acting commanding officer.
[Amended 4-3-1984 by Ord. No. 5-84; 3-13-2007 by Ord. No. 2-2007[1]]
A. 
The Police Department shall be officered by a Chief.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Ordinance No. 3-2011, adopted 5-10-2011, authorized the City to enter into an agreement to share a Police Chief/Police Chief services with the City of Linwood.
B. 
Number of positions. The Police Department shall consist of the following positions:
(1) 
One Chief.
(2) 
One Captain.
(3) 
Two Lieutenants.
(4) 
Five Sergeants.
(5) 
Fifteen police officers.
(6) 
Two Police Records Secretaries.
(7) 
Special Law Enforcement Officers according to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147.117.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
It is the right of the governing body, through the Chief of Police, to determine the standards of service to be offered by the Police Department; determine the standards of selection for employment; direct the employees; take disciplinary action; relieve any employee from duty for legitimate reasons; maintain the operation of the Department and determine the methods, means and personnel by which its operations are to be conducted; determine the content of job classifications; schedule duty hours; and take all necessary actions to assure efficient performance of the obligations and operations of the Department in emergencies. The Chief of Police shall exercise complete control and discretion over the organization and standards of work performance of the Police Department.
[Amended 4-3-1984 by Ord. No. 5-84]
A. 
Chief of Police. The Chief of Police is hereby granted the responsibility and authority to specify and enforce the duties and responsibilities of all other members of the Police Department. The Chief of Police shall keep the records of the Police Department and shall make monthly reports to the Mayor on the general state of the Department and shall semiannually report to the Mayor on the general performance of duties of each member of the Department. In the absence of the Chief, the ranking officer shall be designated as Acting Chief of Police by the Mayor of the City of Northfield and shall thereupon assume all duties as specified under Subsection A until such time as the Chief of Police has resumed his duties or until such time as a Chief of Police has been appointed by the Mayor, upon resolution of the governing body.
B. 
Captains, Lieutenants and Sergeants. It shall be the duty of the Captains, Lieutenants and Sergeants to implement the duties and responsibilities as specified by the Chief of Police.
There shall be established, maintained, regulated and controlled by the Chief of Police a Detective Bureau, and any other bureau as may be required for the protection of the City and/or the efficient operation of the Department. Department employees, permanently assigned to any bureau, shall be assigned by the Chief of Police, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council. Within the structure of each bureau, there shall be provisions for the ranks of Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant and patrolman, as may be deemed necessary by the Chief of Police, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council.
When a vacancy or opening occurs in the Police Department, the members of the auxiliary police shall have the first opportunity to submit an application for employment in the Department. All applications for employment shall be filed with the Chief of Police. Within a reasonable time of the occurrence of said vacancy or opening, the Chief of Police shall submit, in writing, to the Mayor and Council, through the respective Chairman of the Police Committee, his recommendations for appointment to the vacancy or opening. Appointment to said vacancy or opening shall be by resolution of the Mayor and Council.
All members of the Police Department shall be subject to the provisions as set forth in the Departmental Rules and Regulations.
[Added 12-17-2019 by Ord. No. 14-2019[1]]
By virtue of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-141, creating the honorary unpaid position of Police Chaplain in the City of Northfield Police Department: The individual or individuals appointed to be Police Chaplains shall be an ordained clergyman in good standing in the religious body from which such person is selected. Such chaplain(s) shall become an unpaid honorary member of the municipal Police Department or force without rank or salary. The honorary unpaid position of Police Chaplain in the City of Northfield Police Department may be withdrawn at any time without notice required by the Council for the City of Northfield.
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former § 61-11, Promotions, was repealed 9-13-2016 by Ord. No. 11-2016.
The Chief of Police shall set forth written rules and regulations as he may deem just, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Council through the respective Chairman. It shall be the duty of every member of the Department to thoroughly familiarize himself with such provisions of the rules and regulations as deal specifically and generally with the duties of his rank, grade or position, within a reasonable time from the date of issuance of the rules and regulations to him. Failure on the part of any member of the Department to acquaint himself with the provisions of the rules and regulations will be deemed neglect of duty and shall be made the subject of charges against such member.
[Amended 4-13-2010 by Ord. No. 3-2010]
The Chief of Police shall hold departmental meetings as needed, in the sound discretion of the Chief of Police, in each calendar year for the purpose of reviewing current practices and/or announcing new policies or procedures pertaining to the duties of said Department.