The Palisades Park Police Department currently employs Special Police Officers in the following capacity:

Class 1 Special Police Officer (SLEO I)

Class 3 Special Police Officer (SLEO III)

Class 1 Special Police Officers are empowered to issue summonses for motor vehicle violations, local ordinance violations, petty disorderly person violations, and disorderly persons violations. These officers attend a modified police academy that includes classes on criminal law, report writing, motor vehicle law, use of force, responsibility to the community, CPR, first aid, handcuffing, baton and self-defense techniques. These officers conduct multiple obligations during a tour including:

• Foot Patrol on Broad Avenue
• Community Policy; focused on businesses within the borough
• Daily Patrol of Borough owned properties

Class 1 Special Police officers do not carry a firearm.

A Class Three SLEO will meet all of the qualifications necessary to serve as a Class One or Class Two SLEO, and will also have to satisfy additional criteria. A Class Three SLEO must be a retired law enforcement officer, less than 65 years of age, who previously served as a fully-trained, full-time police officer in New Jersey. The officer must have served as a full-time officer within three years of appointment as a Class Three SLEO (or five years during the first year following the effective date of the new law). The officer must also be physically capable of performing the functions of the position, and possess a New Jersey Police Training Commission basic police officer certification or New Jersey State Police Academy certification.

School Training Required Of particular significance to the NJSBA and its members, the officer must also complete the training course for school resource officers (SROs). This requirement was strongly recommended by both the NJSBA task force and the NJSSTF. This sentiment was shared by Gov. Christie, who conditionally vetoed an earlier version of the enabling legislation since it did not require the officers to complete SRO training. The governor stated it is “vital to ensuring that the officer is integrated into the unique setting of the school community and is properly trained to function not only as a safety expert and law enforcer, but also as a liaison to community resources, educators, and counselors.”

While on duty, Class Three SLEOs will have full police powers and be permitted to carry a firearm. The law stipulates the officers may only be hired “in a part-time capacity,” and may only be employed to assist local law enforcement with security duties. They are not intended to supplant an SRO or a police officer otherwise stationed at a school. They are explicitly prohibited from receiving any pension or health care benefits through the position.

If you have any questions, please contact Spo. Liaison, Det. Sgt. Pavlik at [email protected]