CORRECTIONAL POLICE LIEUTENANT

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 general supervision of a Correctional Police Major or other supervisory official in the Department of Corrections during an assigned tour of duty, has charge of the custodial work programs at an institution or in a designated building or area; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Exercises full police powers and acts as a peace officer at all times for the detection, apprehension, arrest, and conviction of offenders against the law.
• Prepares schedules for senior correctional police officers and correctional police sergeants, gives instructions, and supervises their work; takes roll call each morning and ensures proper post assignment.
• Takes an active part in rehabilitation programs, assists in inmate counseling, and is a member of the S.E.T. team.
• Testifies at inmate disciplinary hearings and court hearings involving inmate, staff, or visitor misconduct.
• Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations, and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
• Participates and instructs institutional training programs involving custody and non-custody staff.
• Serves as member of the adjustment and classification committees.
• At the Correctional Police Officer's Training Academy, organizes training courses in prison administration and supervises the establishment of training programs, assignment of quarters, equipment, instructors, and use of protective equipment.
• Supervises the daily counts of inmates and supervises searches for any missing inmates.
• Takes complaints by inmates or correctional police officers, conducts investigations, and prepares reports with recommendations for remedial action.
• Prepares reports in cases of employee absence or misconduct, and ensures that all posts are covered; notes all unusual occurrences, suspicious persons or behavior, and significant conditions on the blotters or daily report sheets and takes appropriate action.
• Ensures notification of the medical staff regarding inmates who require immediate medical attention.
• Supervises the work of the main central point and sees that officers and visitors do not leave or enter the center without proper authority.
• Develops custody schedules to ensure adequate levels of staffing on all shifts; supervises the scheduling of overtime and vacation scheduling. In this capacity, assists in the supervision of an institutional computer program designed to facilitate this process.
• Reviews all incident reports of major disciplinary actions; assigns individuals to investigate and makes recommendations regarding disposition.
• Interviews and screens applicants for correctional police officer positions; makes recommendations regarding appointment.
• Ensures that contraband and confiscated items are properly receipted and stored, or properly discarded; ensures that items to be held for investigations are secured.
• Oversees an institutional program to provide firearms qualifications and annual requalification of all custody staff in accordance with policy and regulations of the State Police Commission on Firearm Training.
• Carries a firearm and other restraint/defense equipment while performing duties or off-duty; is responsible for the care, use, and security of firearms and equipment.
• As required, has designated responsibility for the operation of the entire custody operation, especially on third shift and during weekends.
• Assists in developing, implementing, monitoring, and coordinating a response to institutional emergency plans utilized in case of fire, disturbance, attempted escapes, and natural disasters.
• In cases of escape, supervises the deployment of officers and serves as the outside area supervisor; coordinates the entire outside perimeter operation, including liaison with local and state law enforcement officers.
• Will be required 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 its equivalent.

Experience

Four (4) years of experience in the care and custody of inmates in a correctional institution, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the laws and rules pertaining to the operation of prisons and correctional institutions.
• Knowledge of the procedures used in supervising the custody of inmates.
• Knowledge of approved use of force, chemical mace, firefighting equipment, and other emergency equipment and firearms.
• Knowledge of the principles of criminal justice and their application to inmate custody and correction.
• Knowledge of institutional emergency plans.
• Knowledge of how to maintain discipline among the officers, employees, inmates, and visitors, and methods used in preventing unauthorized persons from entering and leaving restricted areas.
• Knowledge of the due process laws, with basic knowledge of 2C laws and court procedures used in testifying at trials and in exercising arrest powers.
• Ability to exercise full police powers and act as a peace officer at all times for the detection, apprehension, arrest, and conviction of offenders against the law.
• Ability to carry a weapon while on duty.
• Ability to interpret the laws and rules governing correctional work, and the standards of the Department of Corrections.
• Ability to organize work and develop effective work methods.
• Ability to understand the problems of inmates.
• Ability to perform repetitive work without loss of equanimity, patience, or courtesy, to remain calm and decisive in emergency situations, and to retain emotional stability.
• Ability to determine the ability of those receiving training and prepare recommendations for work on the basis of abilities.
• Ability to develop and implement courses of study in the institution for correctional police officers which shall include the care, custody, and rehabilitation of an inmate population.
• Ability to develop and monitor a program for firearms qualifications.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to maintain discipline among correctional police officers, employees, inmates, and visitors.
• Ability to remain calm and decisive in emergencies and to follow procedures and rules.
• Ability to supervise the maintenance of records and files.
• Ability 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, understand, or 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 as long as they can perform 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.

Appointees to this position shall be required to qualify in the use of firearms on an annual basis.

The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.