SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

Code: 06895 Local Unclassified

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under the direction of a supervisory law enforcement officer, performs public safety and security functions on behalf of a local unit within the conditions and limitations set forth in the Special Law Enforcement Officers' Act; does other related duties as required.

<b>DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:</b>

Special Law Enforcement Officers (SLEOs) are duly qualified, fully- trained officers employed by a local law enforcement agency on a temporary or interim basis to assist during peak demand periods or with unusual or emergency circumstances. Appointees to positions in this class shall not replace or substitute for full-time, regular police officers or in any way diminish the number of full-time officers employed by the local unit. Officers are appointed for a fixed term not to exceed one year. Reappointment upon expiration of the term is permitted but not guaranteed.

There are three distinct classifications of SLEOs: Class I Officer, Class II Officer and Class III Officer. The classes are differentiated based on the job duties performed. A brief summary of each class is depicted below.

<i><b>Class I</b></i> - Officers of this class shall be authorized to perform routine traffic detail, spectator control, and similar duties. If authorized by ordinance or resolution, as appropriate, Class I officers shall have the power to issue summonses for disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons offenses, violations of municipal ordinances, and violations of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes. The use of a firearm by an officer of this class shall be strictly prohibited and a Class I officer shall not be assigned any duties which may require the carrying or use of a firearm.

<b><i>Class II</i></b> - 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. The use of a firearm by an officer of this class may be authorized only after the officer has been fully certified as successfully completing training as prescribed by the commission.

<b><i>Class III</i></b> - 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.

Examples of work

• Patrols assigned area(s) to enforce laws, regulations and ordinances, regulate traffic, control crowds, prevent crime, and arrest violators.
• Provides for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergency and nonemergency calls, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations.
• Identifies, pursues, and arrests suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
• Monitors traffic to ensure motorists observe regulations and exhibit safe driving procedures.
• Directs traffic flow and reroutes traffic when necessary.
• Issues citations or warnings to violators of motor vehicle ordinances.
• Monitors, notes, reports, and investigates suspicious persons and situations, safety hazards, and unusual or illegal activity in assigned area(s).
• Inspects public establishments to ensure compliance with rules, regulations and ordinances.
• Responds to radio calls and investigates complaints, disturbances, collisions, etc.; administers first aid when necessary.
• Collects and secures evidence from crime scenes; may take photographs at a crime scene in order to establish visual evidence.
• Controls crowds at emergency scenes or public events.
• At the scene of a motor vehicle accident, questions operators, occupants, and witnesses, using simple interviewing techniques and writing notes of important information in order to help determine how, when, and why the accident occurred; prepares diagrams and incident reports as required.
• May serve warrants and subpoenas.
• Participates in continuous training to enhance law enforcement skills including firearms proficiency, defensive driving skills, apprehension and arrest techniques, investigative skills, and general law enforcement skills.
• For SLEO III, patrols school or college grounds to protect against illegal entry, acts of violence, vandalism, illegal drug activity, arson, theft, and other unlawful acts; notifies administration and police, fire, EMS, or other appropriate authority of any situation requiring immediate attention.
• For SLEO III, provides security at school functions and events including, but not limited to, school opening, student assembly, lunch, recess, school dismissal, and after school activities, sports and functions.
• For SLEO III, participates in the district/school emergency and crisis management plan as assigned.
• Prepares cases and testifies in court.
• Records facts to prepare police reports that document incidents and activities.
• Maintains essential records and files.
• Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units

Education

Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the proper procedures used in dealing with people, and safeguarding people and property.
• Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective security operations for the protection of people and property.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system.
• Knowledge of safe automobile operation in accord with NJ motor vehicle laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of traffic laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of basic first aid.
• Ability to maintain order.
• Ability to be courteous but firm with the public.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly under emergency conditions.
• Ability to make sound decisions.
• Ability to control and regulate vehicular traffic.
• Ability to understand, remember, and carry out oral and written directions.
• Ability to note significant facts and conditions by observation when on patrol or traffic duty.
• Ability to perform repetitive operations, including the answering of inquiries, without loss of equanimity, patience, or courtesy.
• Ability to read, apply and interpret relevant laws, regulations, and ordinances.
• Ability to effectively gather, organize, and utilize information.
• Ability to give testimony under oath in court.
• Ability to write clear, accurate, and comprehensive police reports.
• Ability to maintain essential records and files.
• Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.10, a person shall not be appointed as a special law enforcement officer unless the following conditions are met:

(1) Is a resident of New Jersey during the term of appointment;

(2) Is able to read, write and speak the English language with reasonable proficiency;

(3) Is sound in body and of good health;

(4) Is of good moral character;

(5) Has not been convicted of any offense involving dishonesty or which would make him/her unfit to perform the duties of his/her office;

(6) Has successfully undergone the same psychological testing that is required of all full-time police officers in the municipality or county or, with regard to a special law enforcement officer hired for a seasonal period by a resort municipality which requires psychological testing of its full-time police officers, has successfully undergone a program of psychological testing approved by the commission.

In addition to the qualifications identified above, a person shall not be appointed as a Class III special law enforcement officer unless the person:

(1) is a retired law enforcement officer who is less than 65 years of age; for the purposes of this paragraph, a law enforcement officer shall not be considered retired if the officer's return to employment violates any federal or State law or regulation which would deem the officer's retirement as not being bona fide;

(2) had served as a duly qualified, fully-trained, full-time officer in any law enforcement position eligible for participating in the PFRS or in any federal or bi-state law enforcement agency or as a member of the State Police and was separated from that prior service in good standing;

(3) is physically capable of performing the functions of the position, determined in accordance with Police Training Commission guidelines;

(4) possesses a New Jersey Police Training Commission Basic Police Officer Certification, New Jersey State Police Academy Certification, or other proof of basic police training approved by the Police Training Commission;

(5) has completed the training course for safe schools resource officers developed pursuant to subsection a. of section 2 of P.L.2005, c.276 (C.52:17B-71.8); and

(6) is hired in a part-time capacity.

<b>SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS &amp; CERTIFICATIONS:</b>

Must possess valid Police Training Commission certification applicable to the position.

For SLEO II and SLEO III positions, Police Training Commission firearm certification may be required. Appointees required to carry a firearm must requalify annually in the use of firearms.

Appointees will be required to attend other mandatory training made necessary by their assignment or duties. These topics may include, but are not limited to, ethics training; unlawful harassment in the workplace; pursuit guidelines (if vehicle operation is required); hazardous material awareness; use of force refresher (if authorized to use force); weapons proficiency (if authorized to use weapons); other topics mandated by the Chief of Police or his/her designee.