Source: https://ecode360.com/6273801
Timestamp: 2018-09-22 09:54:57
Document Index: 773374284

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50', '§ 50']

Township of Franklin, NJ Police Department
§ 50-2 Creation of Police Department; appropriate authority; Chief of Police.
§ 50-3 Powers and duties of Department.
§ 50-4 Composition and titles.
§ 50-5 Divisions and bureaus.
§ 50-6 Office of Emergency Management; Emergency Management Coordinator.
§ 50-7 Ranking officers; applicable regulations.
§ 50-8 Requirements for appointment to force.
§ 50-9 Probationary period for patrolmen/women.
§ 50-10 Eligibility for promotion.
§ 50-11 Promotion to Sergeant and Lieutenant.
§ 50-12 Promotion to Captain, Deputy Chief of Police and Chief of Police.
§ 50-13 Benefits and conditions of employment.
§ 50-14 Suspension and removal of members.
§ 50-15 Hearing officer.
§ 50-16 Hearing procedure; decision.
§ 50-17 Nondisciplinary suspension of police officers.
§ 50-18 Officer to be provided with means for defense.
§ 50-19 Annual physical examination.
§ 50-20 Drug screening.
§ 50-21 Special law enforcement officers (Class III, Class II and Class I).
§ 50-22 School crossing guards.
§ 50-23 Compensation for special police and school crossing guards.
§ 50-24 Police outside work/special police services.
Chapter 50: Police Department
Department of Public Safety — See Ch. 5, Art. VIII.
Chapter 50 : Police Department
[Adopted 6-13-1995 by Ord. No. 1894 (Ch. 38 of the 1990 Code); amended in its entirety 2-14-2006 by Ord. No. 3587]
The members of the Police Department to designated by the Chief of Police to oversee a division of the Police Department.
As constituted by § 50-6.
Any duly appointed member of the Police Department below the rank of Sergeant.
A duly appointed full-time policeman/woman within the Police Department who has successfully completed his/her probationary employment period.
As constituted by § 50-23.
As constituted by § 50-22.
The members of the Police Department holding the rank of Sergeant and above.
This continues the establishment of a Police Department, the head of which shall be the Chief of Police.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118, the Township Manager is hereby designated as the "appropriate authority." The Township Manager shall be responsible for the overall performance of the Police Department and shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for the government of the Police Department and for the discipline of its members.
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-118 or as subsequently revised or amended, the Chief of Police shall be the head of the Police Department and shall be directly responsible to the Township Manager for its efficiency and day-to-day operations. Pursuant to policies established by the Township Manager, the Chief of Police shall:
Report at least monthly to the Township Manager in such form and at such times as shall be prescribed by the Township Manager regarding the operation of the Police Department during the preceding month and make such other reports as may be requested by the Township Manager.
The Department shall have all the functions, powers, duties and responsibilities prescribed by law for a municipal Police Department generally and by any provisions of the chapter and ordinances relating to the Township Police Department, Chief of Police and the officers and personnel of the Department.
[Amended 7-13-2010 by Ord. No. 3887; 5-24-2016 by Ord. No. 4154-16; 6-27-2017 by Ord. No. 4204-17]
The following titles and positions shall exist within the Police Department: one Chief of Police, one Deputy Chief of Police, one Captain, five Lieutenants, 18 Sergeants and 79 Patrol Officers.
The Township Council may create other titles as may be necessary for the welfare and protection of persons and property in the Township upon recommendation of the Chief of Police and the Township Manager.
There shall exist a position entitled Police Chaplain to be appointed by the Chief of Police for a three-year term. The Police Chaplain must reside within Franklin Township. The Police Chaplain must perform such functions as shall be assigned by the Chief of Police without remuneration.
Within the Police Department, there shall be three separate Divisions, including:
The Chief of Police shall be empowered to create subordinate bureaus within each division as may be necessary with the approval of the Township Manager.
Within the Police Department, there shall be an Office of Emergency Management, the head of which shall be the Emergency Management Coordinator.
The Township Manager shall appoint an Emergency Management Coordinator in accordance with state statute.
The Chief of Police shall be the highest ranking law enforcement officer of the Police Department and shall be subject to such rules, regulations and directives as may be prescribed by the Township Manager.
In the event that the Chief of Police is absent from his/her office, the Chief of Police shall designate a Deputy Chief of Police or next ranking senior officer available as Acting Chief, who shall perform all the duties of the Chief. If the Chief of Police is incapacitated, the Township Manager may appoint an Acting Chief.
Rules and regulations. The Police Department shall be governed by the Police Department rules and regulations which shall be adopted and promulgated by the Township Manager. It shall be the responsibility of the Chief of Police to execute the Police Department rules and regulations.
Persons appointed to the Police Department as a regular or probationary police officer shall be high school graduates, and still meet all other requirements as set forth by the New Jersey State Police for appointments as a state police officer.
The following tests and screening processes shall be utilized with regard to applicants who meet the standards set forth in Subsection A above:
Test Components for Appointment as a Probationary or Regular Police Officer
Minimum Score Passing score as recommended by testing agency
Group Psychological
Oral Interview & Background Evaluation
NOTE: Failure of any one of the above steps shall eliminate a candidate from further consideration.
Each applicant for appointment shall take a written examination administered by the New Jersey Chiefs of Police Association or other organization designated by the Township Manager. The results of any such test shall be accepted for a period of two years from the date of such test. The cost for such test shall be paid prior to taking such test by each individual applicant and the Township Council shall establish said fee prior to the official announcement and advertisement of the written examination test date through the adoption of a resolution fixing and determining the cost to be paid by each applicant for such test based upon the actual costs incurred by the Township for the procurement and administration of such test. An applicant must receive a minimum passing score as recommended by the testing agency to be considered further.
Applicants receiving a passing score may be required to take a physical agility examination. Said physical agility examination shall be scored on a pass/fail basis.
With regard to applicants who have passed the written examination and physical agility examination (if given), the Township may, but shall not be required to, conduct a group psychological screening by a licensed psychologist.
Upon receiving passing scores on the written examination and physical agility (if given), the Township Manager shall determine the appropriate cutoff or cutoffs. The remaining applicants shall then receive individual psychological analysis and assessment to determine suitability for employment as a police officer.
A background investigation shall be conducted by the Police Department on all applicants prior to appointment as probationary patrol officer.
Upon successfully completing and passing the above-listed requirements, the applicant shall participate in an oral interview conducted by such other person or persons designated by the Township Manager.
Upon review of all test results and evaluations as listed above, the Township Manager shall than select those applicants suitable for employment. Said applicants shall undergo a medical examination and drug and alcohol testing to determine suitability for appointment.
As an alternative, the Township may also consider persons who are PTC (Police Training Commission) certified or who are presently attending a certified police training school at the time the applications are being accepted. These applicants must meet the standards set forth in § 50-8B, in which case the following screening process shall be utilized:
All applicants will be required to participate in an oral interview as set forth in § 50-8B(6) hereof. The lowest ranked individual shall receive a ranking of one. Said ranking shall progress to the highest ranked candidate. Candidates with equal performance shall be ranked equally.
A background investigation shall be conducted by Police Department on all candidates. Any candidate who fails the background investigations shall cease to be a candidate.
Hiring shall be done in accordance with the order of the highest rank on the oral interview. The successful candidate(s) shall thereupon be tendered conditional offers of employment.
The person(s) accepting the conditional offer of employment shall undergo a medical examination, together with drug and alcohol testing and a psychological examination which shall be conducted by a licensed physician and licensed psychologist selected and paid for by the Township.
The candidate(s) passing the aforesaid examinations shall be selected to fill police officer vacancies.
No person shall be given or accept a permanent appointment as a police officer in the Township unless such person has first been given a probationary/temporary appointment to such office for a period of one year after successful completion of a police training course at a school approved and authorized by the Police Training Commission and Department of Law and Public Safety of the State of New Jersey. In the event that the police training course is not taken by the police officer at the start of the probationary period, the probationary period shall be extended so that a full year of probation shall follow successful completion of the training course. Upon the expiration of such probationary period, the appointment shall become permanent unless, at any time prior thereto, the probationary appointment has been revoked by the Township Manager.
The Township Manager retains the right to terminate a probationary police officer upon recommendation of the Chief of Police.
[Amended 11-8-2007 by Ord. No. 3711; 7-13-2010 by Ord. No. 3887; 5-24-2016 by Ord. No. 4154-16]
A list of eligible candidates for promotion to an available position shall be compiled by the Township Manager (hereinafter "Manager") or his designee and shall be posted in a conspicuous location in the Department no less than six weeks in advance of the promotional examination. The Manager shall also advise candidates of recommended study materials relevant to the promotional examinations.
Eligibility criteria shall be as follows:
Sergeant: a minimum of five years of service as a regular Franklin Township Patrol Officer.
Lieutenant: a minimum of two years of service at the rank of Sergeant.
Captain: a minimum of two years of service at the rank of Lieutenant.
Deputy Chief of Police: a minimum of one year of service at the rank of Captain. A Lieutenant shall also be eligible if he/she served a total of four years at the rank of Lieutenant.
Chief of Police: a minimum of one year of service at the rank of Deputy Chief of Police or two years of service at the rank of Captain. A Lieutenant shall also be eligible if he/she served a total of six years at the rank of Lieutenant.
Written examination results shall be accepted for a period of one year. After one year from the availability of said results, same shall not be acceptable for promotion process except at the discretion of the Township Manager.
The selection process for the promotion of candidates to the position of Sergeant and Lieutenant shall be comprised of the following components:
A promotional evaluation.
A medical evaluation certifying the candidate's fitness for duty (pass/fail).
A psychological screening (pass/fail) if no such evaluation of the candidate has occurred within a three-year period.
Seniority. Candidates shall be ranked against competing candidates based upon seniority. The most senior candidate shall receive the highest ranking, while the least senior candidate shall receive a ranking of one. Candidates with equal seniority shall be equally ranked.
Education. Candidates shall be competitively ranked based upon the level of education attained. Ranking shall be as follows:
High school diploma: one.
Associate's degree or in excess of 60 credits accumulated towards a bachelor's degree: two.
Bachelor's degree: three.
Master's degree: four.
PhD or J.D. degree: five.
Promotional evaluation.
Candidates shall be competitively ranked based upon their performance in a promotional evaluation process consisting of the following:
The personnel file, including but not limited to job evaluations, disciplinary record, commendations and attendance.
An oral interview conducted by the Township Manager and/or his designees, which shall consider the following:
Comprehensive and presentation skills in oral communications.
Evidence of supervisory and administrative ability.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Township, including the physical and demographics thereof, as well as an understanding of the operations of the Township government, including the interaction of the various departments thereof.
Knowledge and understanding of management practices, departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedure.
The lowest ranked individual shall receive a ranking of one. Said rankings shall progress to the highest ranked candidate. Candidates with equal performance shall be ranked equally.
In order to qualify for participation in the promotional evaluation component, a candidate must pass the medical and psychological components (if required). Eligibility to participate in the promotional evaluation component shall also be based upon a candidate's competitive ranking on the written examination. [See Subsection B(4) below].
Candidates shall be competitively ranked based upon their performance on a written examination administered by the New Jersey Chiefs of Police Association or other organization designated by the Township Manager.
The candidate with the lowest score shall receive a ranking of one. Said rankings shall progress to the candidate with the highest score. Candidates with equal scores shall be ranked equally.
The following formula shall be applied to determine the number of qualified candidates eligible to participate in the promotional evaluation component:
Number of Candidates Receiving the Highest Rankings on Written Examination
NOTE: Two additional candidates will qualify for each opening in excess of three, i.e. four openings: fourteen (14) candidates; five openings: 16 candidates; six openings: 18 candidates, etc.
The components for the selection process for promotion to the levels of Sergeant and Lieutenant shall be weighted in accordance with below-stated formula and following table:
Formula: Ranking times weight equals value.
Promotions shall be granted in the order of the highest cumulative value of all components. In the promotion of members of the Police Department who have completed the competitive components set forth herein, a resident shall be appointed rather than a nonresident in any instance in which the resident and nonresident achieve the same total value.
[Amended 7-13-2010 by Ord. No. 3887; 5-24-2016 by Ord. No. 4154-16]
The selection process for the managerial positions of Captain, Deputy Chief of Police and Chief of Police shall be comprised of the following components:
A promotional evaluation which shall consist of the following:
General knowledge of current departmental operation.
A written set of essays to be evaluated by the Township Manager and/or his designees based upon the following criteria:
Ability to communicate concepts.
Presentation of ideas and values.
Conceptual understanding of departmental needs and goals, both current and future.
Demonstration of conceptual ability to pursue goals through the exercise of managerial skills.
Medical and psychological testing consisting of the following:
A psychological screening.
The Township Manager shall promote those employees demonstrating the greatest overall strength and ability to function in a managerial capacity.
For employee benefits and conditions of employment generally, see pertinent bargaining unit contracts and departmental general orders, the Personnel Chapter of this Code.[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 46, Personnel Policies.
Patrol Officers, Sergeants, Lieutenants, Captain, Deputy Chief of Police, and the Chief of Police shall be enrolled in the Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS).
Scheduling and compensation. The Chief of Police or his/her designee shall arrange a schedule based upon federal labor standards governing law enforcement officers within the calendar year, providing for all shifts to be adequately covered; but, in the case of any emergency, the Chief of Police or his/her designee shall have full authority to summon and keep on duty any and all such members during the period of emergency.
The following shall represent Township policy on the suspension of police officers:
The Franklin Township Council supports and reaffirms the authority of the Township Manager to suspend with or without pay under N.J.S.A. 40A:14-149.1 and FTAC 50-32(C); and
The Township Manager, in reaching his decision to suspend without pay, should first consider as the preferred disciplinary action, in-house suspension either within the Police Department or another department of the Township with pay, unless overriding circumstances exist; and
If the Township Manager, in his discretion, nevertheless decides to suspend, the suspended party will have a right to a hearing before the Council within 30 days of suspension; and
In reviewing the Township Manager's decision, the Council will consider whether the decision by the Township Manager was arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable or creates an undue hardship when balancing the public interest vs. private interest; and
If, after the hearing, the Council finds that the Township Manager's decision to suspend without pay was arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable or creates an undue hardship when balancing the public interest vs. private interest, the Council may reinstate the officer to in-house suspension with pay; and
If, after the hearing, the Council supports the Township Manager's decision, the Township Manager must review his/her decision every 60 days and advise the suspended party in writing as to the results of the review; and
This policy shall be applicable to any suspended police officer suspended pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-149.1.
The Township Council shall, by resolution, appoint a hearing officer(s) to hear complaints. The hearing officer shall have law enforcement experience or shall be an attorney at law admitted to practice in the State of New Jersey. The Chief of Police shall notify the officer so charged by serving him/her, by personal delivery or certified mail, with a copy of the resolution setting forth the name of the hearing officer and date of hearing.
The hearing officer(s) shall have the authority to issue subpoenas for testimony of witnesses of fact and shall serve in his/her capacity for the time necessary to hear and determine the charges against the member or officer.
The hearing shall be scheduled in accordance with state statute.
The parties in any hearing pursuant to the provisions of § 50-16 hereof shall be bound by the rules of evidence. In any such proceeding, the charging party shall prosecute the case through an attorney and shall have the burden of proving the allegations of the complaint by a preponderance of the evidence. The member or officer so charged shall have the right to be represented by counsel at the hearing. All such proceedings shall be transcribed by a certified shorthand reporter.
All hearings shall be bifurcated, with the issue of liability determined first, and thereafter a further hearing shall be conducted, if necessary, to determine the issue of punishment. All final determinations of the hearing officer shall be set forth in a resolution containing finds of fact and conclusions of law.
The hearing officer may reprimand, suspend, reduce in rank, fine or dismiss said member or employee of the Police Department from the service of the Township or exonerate him/her from such charges.
The decision of the hearing officer shall be final, subject to review in the Superior Court, Law Division, in accordance with New Jersey statute.
The Township Manager shall have the authority to suspend police officers with or without pay in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:14-149.1.
A police officer suspended without pay shall have a right to a hearing before the Township Council within 30 days of his/her suspension.
In reviewing the Township Manager's decision, the Council will consider whether the decision by the Township Manager was arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable or creates an undue hardship when balancing the public interest vs. private interest.
If, after the hearing, the Council finds that the Township Manager's decision to suspend without pay was arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable or creates an undue hardship when balancing the public interest vs. private interest, the Council may reinstate the officer to suspension with pay.
Whenever a member or officer of the Police Department or a Police Department is a defendant in any action or legal proceeding arising out of or directly relating to the lawful exercise of police powers in the furtherance of his/her official duties, the governing body of the municipality shall provide said member or officer with necessary means for the defense of such action or proceeding. The governing body shall select for the officer one of the following three methods of defense:
Assignment of an attorney to represent the officer;
Permitting the officer to select an attorney designated by the municipality to defend officers in such actions; or
Payment to an attorney of the officer's own choice, at a rate not to exceed $90 per hour, but not for his/her defense in a disciplinary proceeding instituted against him/her in the proceeding phase by the municipality or in a criminal proceeding instituted as a result of a complaint on behalf of the municipality. If any such disciplinary or criminal proceeding instituted by or on complaint of the municipality shall be dismissed or finally determined in favor of the member or officer, he/she shall be reimbursed for the expense of his/her defense at a rate not to exceed $90 for the reasonable number of hours expended by his/her attorney in his/her behalf.
Every member of the Police Department may be required to have one physical examination by a reputable physician approved by the Council in a calendar year. Such examination shall be conducted at such time as the Chief of Police may designate. A full record of such physical examination shall be filed with the Township.
See New Jersey State Attorney General's drug screening guidelines.
[Amended 4-24-2018 by Ord. No. 4227-18]
The positions of special law enforcement officers Class III, special law enforcement officers Class II and special law enforcement officers Class I are hereby created as authorized by N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8 et seq.
Term. The term of special law enforcement officers Class III, special law enforcement officers Class II and special law enforcement officers Class I shall expire at the end of the calendar year during which said individuals are appointed.
Special law enforcement officers shall be appointed by the Township Manager on recommendation of the Chief of Police.
Criteria for the appointment, training, general procedures, organization and operations of special law enforcement officers Class III, special law enforcement officers Class II and special law enforcement officers Class I shall be promulgated by the Chief of Police and approved by the Township Manager.
The assignment of duties for special law enforcement officers Class III, special law enforcement officers Class II and special law enforcement officers Class I shall be in accordance with appropriate state statutes.
While performing police duties, special law enforcement officers Class III, special law enforcement officers Class II and special law enforcement officers Class I shall be under the jurisdiction of and subject to all rules, regulations and directives of the Police Department of Franklin Township.
All special law enforcement officers Class III, special law enforcement officers Class II and special law enforcement officers Class I shall be required to complete training courses as required by the Police Training Commission of the State of New Jersey.
Special law enforcement officers Class III and special law enforcement officers Class II, while engaged in the actual performance of their official duties, are hereby authorized to carry weapons approved by the Chief of Police.
School crossing guards are appointed by the Township Manager on recommendation of the Chief of Police as part-time employees.
The Township Manager may appoint school crossing guards for terms not exceeding one year and revoke such appointments at will. No person shall be appointed as a school crossing guard unless he/she:
Is a citizen of this state.
A school crossing guard shall not be a member of the Police Department of the Township and his/her powers and duties shall cease at the expiration of the term for which he/she was appointed. Every school crossing guard shall be under the supervision and direction of the Chief of Police and shall perform his/her duties only in the Township. He/she shall comply with the rules and regulations applicable to the conduct and decorum of the regular police officers of the Township. Before any school crossing guard is appointed, the Chief of Police shall ascertain the eligibility of the applicant and make a recommendation to the Township Manager.
Every school crossing guard shall be trained for the proper performance of his/her duties and responsibilities.
The Chief of Police shall have the right to position school crossing guards on any street or highway within the Township: provided, however, that such guards may be stationed only when it is necessary to control or direct vehicular or pedestrian traffic during those time periods of a school day as prescribed by the Chief of Police.
All special law enforcement officers and school crossing guards shall be compensated on an hourly basis at the rates established by ordinances of the Council.
[Amended 6-24-2008 by Ord. No. 3763; 2-24-2009 by Ord. No. 3814; 10-13-2015 by Ord. No. 4119-15]
The Chief of Police or his/her designee, at his/her discretion, may assign members of the Department not on regular duty and who may volunteer for police outside work/special police services. While on outside work/special police service, the members of the Department shall be subject to all provisions of Police rules, regulations and directives.
Parties contracting for police outside work/police special services shall contact the Administrative Services Division at least two weeks prior to the job/function. A description of job duties shall be provided at that time so an appropriate posting can be accomplished at police headquarters.
The rate of pay for police outside work/police special services excluding traffic services shall be $61.20 per hour. The rate of pay for police outside work/police special services for traffic services shall be $81.20 an hour. These hourly rates shall increase 2% per year beginning on January 1, 2017. All traffic control services will be contracted for a minimum of four hours other than for long-term assignments. The Township, as an administrative fee, shall retain 10% of these hourly rates. An additional $2.50 per hour gasoline surcharge fee will be charged for all traffic services over and above the rates of pay whenever the Township cost for unleaded gasoline equals or exceeds $2.50 per gallon. The above notwithstanding, the hourly rate for police outside work/police special services, excluding traffic, to be charged on projects undertaken or funded by the Township of Franklin or the Franklin Township Board of Education shall be $50 per hour and the hourly rate of pay for traffic services on projects undertaken or funded by the Township of Franklin or the Franklin Board of Education shall be $70 per hour.
The 10% administrative fee and $2.50 per hour gasoline surcharge provided by Subsection D above shall be waived for programs sponsored by the Franklin Township Municipal Departments.
All vendors shall be required to make all payments for police outside work/police special services assignments payable to the Township of Franklin. All payments for police outside work/police special services assignments shall be forwarded to the Township of Franklin Police Department and forwarded to the Finance Department. The Finance Department shall deposit all funds earmarked for the payment of police outside work/police special services officers, collected from vendors, into a special escrow fund. The escrow fund shall be established for payment to members of the Police Department performing the police outside work/police special services. All police officers shall be required to submit pay slips to the Chief of Police. The pay slip shall be in a form approved by the Chief of Police. Upon receipt of a properly executed pay slip verified by the vendor, the Finance Department will process the pay slips for disbursement. Officers performing police outside work/police special services shall be paid on a timely basis.
If after an officer arrives at an assignment for outside work/police special services and all or part of that work is cancelled, the contracting party shall pay a minimum charge equal to the hours booked to a maximum of four hours.
All security details other than those undertaken by or funded by the Township of Franklin or the Franklin Township Board of Education that require staffing of five or more officers will require an additional assignment of one supervisor, paid at 10% above the prevailing security rate. The hourly rate for off-duty police security services for six months or more shall be $45 per hour.