Job Specification
SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Unclassified
N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8
N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.10
N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.11
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.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
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.
Class 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.
Class II - 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.
Class III - 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.
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.
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
REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION:
Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent.
NOTE: 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.
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS & CERTIFICATIONS:
Must possess valid Police Training Commission certification applicable to
the position.
NOTE: 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.
NOTE: 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.
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 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.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code: | | Job
Spec
Code | Variant | State,
Local or
Common | Class of
Service | Work
Week | State
Class
Code | Local
Class
Code | Salary
Range | Note | | 06895 | | L | U | | N/A | 99 | | - |
This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.
3/2/2022 |
|
| 