Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • September 12, 2012 Franklin Lakes Borough considering police internal affairs policy by Frank J. McMahon Franklin Lakes Police Chief Joseph Seltenrich has asked Mayor Frank Bivona and the borough council to review and approve an internal affairs policy and procedures document for the police department. As stated in the document, the purpose of the internal affairs policy and procedures manual is to help the police department meet its commitment to provide law enforcement services that are fair, effective, and impartially applied. Under the policy, police officers would be held to the highest standards of official conduct, and urged to respect the rights of all citizens. “Officers’ adherence to these standards, motivated by a moral and professional obligation to perform their job to the best of their ability, is the ultimate objective of this agency,” the policy states, adding that the effectiveness of a law enforcement agency is dependent upon public approval and acceptance of law enforcement authority. It also points out that the police department must be responsive to the community by providing formal procedures for the processing of complaints from the public regarding the individual performance of an officer. Seltenrich said the policy is intended to improve the quality of law enforcement services. He emphasized that citizen confidence in the integrity of the law enforcement agency increases through the establishment of meaningful and effective complaint procedures. “Improving the relationship between the officers and the citizens they serve facilitates cooperation vital to the department’s ability to achieve its goals,” Seltenrich said. “An effective disciplinary framework also permits law enforcement officials to monitor officers’ compliance with department policies and procedures, and adherence to established policies and procedures assists officers in meeting the department’s objectives while a monitoring system permits managers to identify problem areas.” Seltenrich advised that the internal affairs process would also be used to identify and correct unclear or inappropriate agency procedures, and would highlight organizational conditions that may contribute to any misconduct, such as poor recruitment and selection procedures or inadequate training and supervision of officers. Under this policy, the borough’s police department would accept and investigate all complaints of alleged officer misconduct or wrongdoing from any citizen or agency employee. Following a thorough and impartial examination of the available factual information, the officer would be either exonerated or held responsible for the alleged misconduct, and discipline would be administered according to the degree of misconduct. In addition, officers and employees, regardless of rank, would be subject to disciplinary action for violating their oath and trust, such as committing an offense punishable under the laws of the United States, the State of New Jersey, or municipal ordinances. Officers would also be subject to disciplinary action for failure, either willfully or through negligence or incompetence, to perform the duties of their rank or assignment. Police officers might also be disciplined for violation of any rule and regulation of the department or for failure to obey any lawful instruction, order, or command of a superior officer or supervisor with disciplinary action in all matters to be determined based upon the merits of each case. The policy also describes how an investigation of any allegation of misconduct must be conducted, and states that prevention is the primary means of reducing and controlling misconduct in the department. In addition, the document describes the makeup and procedures of the police department’s internal affairs unit. FLOW Area Exhibit features work by Oliver The work of Franklin Lakes artist Roberta Oliver will be on display at the Annual Art Exhibit and Sale at the Oakland Public Library. This exhibit, which will feature the work of professional artists from northern New Jersey, is set for Sept. 23 from noon to 4 p.m. Approximately 200 works of art, representing the work of over 35 artists, including Siegi Lehmann, Taynya Turchin, Karl Blunck, Tracy Di Tolla, and Jerry Winick, will be on display. The library’s newly remodeled halls will showcase the photography, paintings, drawings, and mixed media pieces. A portion of the proceeds will support cultural programming offered free to the community by the library. Sales are by cash or check only. The library is located at 2 Municipal Plaza in Oakland. Call (201) 337-3742 for more information.