40A:14-146.19 Establishment of housing authority police force by certain municipalities.

1. The governing body of every city of the first class having a population of more than 270,000 inhabitants, according to the 1990 federal decennial census, may, by ordinance, establish a housing authority police force to patrol the grounds, buildings, and other areas and facilities of the municipal housing authority.

The ordinance shall provide for the maintenance, regulation and control of the force either as a separate department or as a division or unit of the municipal police force; a line of authority relating to the force's police function; the promulgation and adoption of rules and regulations by the appropriate authority designated in N.J.S.40A:14-118 for the government of the force and the discipline of its members; the appointment of such members, officers and personnel as the governing body may deem necessary; the fixing of their compensation; the prescription of their powers, functions and duties; and such other matters as the governing body shall deem necessary for the effective government and operation of the force. If the housing authority police force is established as a separate department, the appropriate authority for the force shall be the same as the appropriate authority designated for the police force established pursuant to N.J.S.40A:14-118.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, housing authority police officers appointed pursuant to this act shall be deemed regular law enforcement officers.

The funding for the establishment and maintenance of a housing authority police force in accordance with an ordinance enacted pursuant to this section shall be provided by the municipal housing authority. The housing authority may request from the governing body of the municipality reimbursement for a portion of the costs associated with appointing, training, and compensating a housing authority police force established under the provisions of this section. The governing body may decide, but shall not be required, to reimburse the housing authority in the amount requested or in any other lesser amount the governing body may choose.

L.1997,c.210,s.1.