Mount Laurel Council adds job of public safety director, to be filled in future if it does not hire a police chief.

With no immediate plans to fill the job, the Mount Laurel Township Council on Monday unanimously adopted an ordinance establishing the "optional" position of director of public safety.

If the position is filled, the director would head the police department and be responsible for all organizational and administrative control. Otherwise, all responsibilities remain with the police chief, according to the ordinance.

It's "one or the other," with no intention to have both a police chief and a director, Township Manager Meredith Riculfy told Council members and the public at the meeting.

"This is just putting the title on the books," Riculfy explained. "When the position does come available, we would be able to fill it with either a retired police officer who would want to...be the public safety director, or, at that time, we would know if somebody in-house has had enough time to move up the ranks and take over the role of police chief."

The ordinance sparked a buzz among some in town and one person posted on a community Facebook page: Will this position replace the police chief? Or will the police chief report to this person, effectively replacing our chief law enforcement officer?

Riculfy said she has had "extensive discussions" with Police Chief Timothy Hudnall about approaching retirements and the loss of officers in the "upper command." 

Hudnall was at the meeting and addressed the public and Council, saying that when he retires "the intent is to have all options on the table." The chief praised the Township for its ongoing support of the department.

The key difference is that the director would be an administrator and not a sworn police officer, like the chief of police.

If the Township turns to the director model rather than naming a police chief, the position could be filled by a military retiree or someone who retired from a position of authority in a police department, Riculfy said.

"The director of public safety shall be a citizen of the United States, shall be qualified by education, training and experience, including at least five years supervisory or management law enforcement experience, and shall meet such other qualifications as may be established by the Township Manager," according to the ordinance.

No salary range is in the ordinance for the position.

The ordinance states the director would "have, exercise and discharge all of the administrative functions, powers and duties of the police force."

Recommendations for promotions, demotions, release or disciplinary measures would be the responsibility of the director of public safety. 

Council at the meeting also adopted several ordinances aimed at curtailing nuisances including noise and illegal dumping.

A nuisance ordinance aimed at controlling lost and stolen shopping carts — especially around Route 73 — also was adopted.

Retailers that own the carts will be responsible for collecting them when notified by the Township. 

Riculfy said stores that own the shopping carts need to control them.

"Their security should be monitoring if their assets are walking off their property," she said.