MARLBORO – The Township Council has amended Marlboro’s police ordinance and added a category for Special Law Enforcement Officers Class III.
The ordinance was adopted in a 4-0 vote on March 15 with support from council President Randi Marder, Councilman Jeff Cantor, Councilwoman Carol Mazzola and Councilman Michael Scalea. Councilman Scott Metzger was absent.
Class III special officers are retired law enforcement officers who are hired by a police department to work in a school. Each Class III officer is authorized to carry a firearm while on duty at a school.
According to the ordinance, Police Chief Bruce Hall recommended the addition of Class III officers, to a maximum of 16, to accommodate requests for school security services.
The revised table of organization for the Marlboro Police Department allows for a police chief, three captains, seven lieutenants, 12 sergeants, 60 patrol officers, 10 special Class I officers, 16 special Class II officers and 16 special Class III officers.
Marlboro began accepting applications for Class III officers in response to the Feb. 14 incident at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., during which a gunman shot and killed 17 people.
An individual who applies to work as a Class III special officer must be a retired law enforcement officer younger than 65 who served as a fully trained full-time police officer in any New Jersey municipality or county, or as a member of the New Jersey State Police, and was separated from that prior service in good standing within five years of being hired as a Class III special officer.
Each applicant will be required to pass a background check, a drug test, a medical examination and a psychological examination. A person who works as a Class III special officer must reside in New Jersey. The position is expected to pay $25 per hour, according to municipal officials.