Title
Dept./ Agency: Public Safety/Division of Police
Action: ( X ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Purpose: Appointment of Special Police Officers
Type of Service: Appointment of Eighty-Six (86) Special Police Officers-Newark Residents.
List of Police Officers:
(Name/Address)
See Appendix A (Attached)
Term of Appointment: January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023
Additional Information:
Eighty-Six (86) Newark Residents as Special Police Officers
body
WHEREAS, pursuant to the “Special Law Enforcement Officers Act”, (N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8, et seq.) the State Legislature has established uniform procedures for the appointment of Special Law Enforcement Officers throughout the State; and
WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8, et seq. and the amendments thereto require the Director of Public Safety to ascertain the eligibility and qualifications for all applicants for Newark Special Police Officers and report his determination in writing to the appointing authority, in this instance, the Municipal Council; and
WHEREAS, the Chief of Police has certified to the Director of Public Safety the foregoing facts regarding the Special Police Officers listed in Appendix A (attached); and
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Safety has approved the listed Special Police Officers in Appendix A (attached); and
WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the City of Newark, New Jersey, under the authority granted pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8, et seq., has therefore ascertained that the applicants for Newark Special Officer are citizens of the United States; residents of New Jersey; are able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently and possess a high school diploma or its equivalent are sound in mind and body and of good health; are of good moral character, have not been convicted of an offense involving dishonesty and/or moral turpitude or which would make him or her unfit to perform the duties of his or her office; has successfully undergone the same psychological testing of all full-time police officers and/or a program approved by the Police Training Commission; and are capable of obtaining a passing grade in a course of study on firearms, and shall have the powers of arrest and criminal law and procedure given by the appointing authority under the supervision and control of the Newark Department of Public Safety, Police Division; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Safety has determined it is in the City’s best interest to mandate that all Special Police Officers volunteer twenty (20) hours a year at Special Events, due to economic efficiencies; and
WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the United Brotherhood of Special Law Enforcement Officers and the Special Police Organization of New Jersey to maintain proper insurance coverage in amounts acceptable to the City at all times during their commission and pay on time any and all insurance deductibles, attorney’s fees and expenses incurred as a result of litigation being filed against them; and
WHEREAS, the Chief of Police recommends to the Director of Public Safety that, in the event that payment of the insurance premiums or applicable deductible is not timely made, the Chief of Police may recommend to the Director of Public Safety that they be decommissioned; and
WHEREAS, the Corporation Counsel recommends to the Director of Public Safety and the Chief of Police that the United Brotherhood of Special Law Enforcement Officers and the Special Police Organization of New Jersey execute an appropriate Indemnification and Hold Harmless Agreement in favor of the City of Newark to ensure coverage above the policy limits and they believe this requirement is in the best interest of the City; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Safety has determined it is in the City’s best interest to mandate that all Special Police Officers volunteer twenty (20) hours a year at Special Events, due to economic efficiencies.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The named individuals listed in Appendix A (residents) (attached) have met the eligibility and qualifications, as residents of the City of Newark, of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8, et seq., per the certification of the Chief of Police to the Director of Public Safety and are hereby appointed as Class Two Special Police Officers for the term of January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
2. All Special Police Officers appointed herein shall be subject to the provision of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8, et seq. and any ordinance adopted pursuant thereto and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Director of Public Safety or Chief of Police.
3. The Municipal Council supports the Director of Public Safety’s mandate that all Special Police Officers volunteer twenty (20) hours a year to assist the Department of Public Safety with coverage at Special Events.
4. The aforementioned individuals are not employees of the City of Newark for any purpose while serving in their capacity as Special Police Officer.
5. The Municipal Counsel supports the recommendation that in the event payment of the insurance premiums or applicable deductible is not timely made by Special Police Officers, the Chief of Police may recommend to the Director of Public Safety that they be decommissioned.
6. The United Brotherhood of Special Law Enforcement Officers, the Newark Special Police Association and the Special Police Organization must ensure coverage beyond the policy limits, and if any deductible needs to be made prior to the Insurance Coverage, they will be responsible for this and not the City of Newark.
7. The Office of the Director of Public Safety shall verify the addresses as provided by the aforementioned persons by a certified, return receipt letter, and shall inform the Governing Body of the letter returned undelivered. Those individuals whose letters have been returned undelivered may automatically have their Special Police appointment revoked for either providing an incorrect address, or for not providing a change of address.
8. The resolution is hereby ratified from January 1, 2023 to the adoption date of this resolution.
9. The Office of the Director of Public Safety shall file an executed copy of this resolution of appointment with the Office of the City Clerk.
STATEMENT
This resolution ratifies and authorizes the appointment of eighty-six (86) resident, Class Two Special Police Officers listed in Appendix A (attached), from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023 and supports the Director of Public Safety’s mandate that all Special Police Officers volunteer twenty (20) hours a year for coverage at Special Events.