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PMC International POLICE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS P.O. BOX 383 – NEW 386-763-5074 |
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Police Chief or Police Director The issue
of civilian control over local police departments continues to present
difficulties for many agencies, specifically in New Jersey. Despite a
comprehensive legislative scheme and interpretive case law, problem areas
continue to arise when civilian police directors and police chiefs struggle
for power. New Jersey is one of only a
handful of states that grants tenure to a Chief of Police, as provided for by
N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147. The issue of hiring a civilian police director is
a viable option for a municipality. However, an important fact a municipality
and its administration need to understand is that the Police Chief's powers
are statutory, they are defined by N.J.S.A. 40A:14:118, while the
powers of a civilian police director are "derivative," in that they
are derived from whatever scheme the municipality chooses and implements by
ordinance. These powers cannot conflict with the Chief's statutory authority. The following is a brief summary
on the authority, duties, and responsibilities of a police chief and civilian
police director, as provided by legislation and case law. However, there are
many more controlling directives that impact on these positions. APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY – N.J.S.A. 40:14-118 ·
Issues
Rules and Regulations for the Operation and Administration of Police Force ·
Reviews
Operational Reports from Police Chief ·
May
Examine Operations of Police Force and Performance of Individual Police
Officers POLICE CHIEF – N.J.S.A. 40:14-118 ·
Directs
Day-to-Day Operations of the Police Force ·
Prescribes
Duties and Assignments of Personnel ·
Administers
and Enforces Disciplinary Rules and Regulations ·
Reports
at Least Monthly to the Appropriate Authority on the Operation of the Force ·
Makes
Other Reports as may be Requested by the Appropriate
Authority. A municipality's decision to choose a Police
Chief or Police Director, or both, is complex and deserves a great deal of
study. PMC International will assist you in making the right choice. |
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