New Jersey § 40a:14-147

§ 40a:14-147.

Except as otherwise provided by law, no permanent member or officer of the police

department or force shall be removed from his office, employment or position for political

reasons or for any cause other than incapacity, misconduct, or disobedience of rules

and regulations established for the government of the police department and force,

nor shall such member or officer be suspended, removed, fined or reduced in rank from

or in office, employment, or position therein, except for just cause as hereinbefore

provided and then only upon a written complaint setting forth the charge or charges

against such member or officer. The complaint shall be filed in the office of the body, officer or officers having charge

of the department or force wherein the complaint is made and a copy shall be served

upon the member or officer so charged, with notice of a designated hearing thereon

by the proper authorities, which shall be not less than 10 nor more than 30 days from

date of service of the complaint. A complaint charging a violation of the internal rules and regulations established

for the conduct of a law enforcement unit shall be filed no later than the 45th day

after the date on which the person filing the complaint obtained sufficient information

to file the matter upon which the complaint is based. The 45-day time limit shall not apply if an investigation of a law enforcement officer

for a violation of the internal rules or regulations of the law enforcement unit is

included directly or indirectly within a concurrent investigation of that officer

for a violation of the criminal laws of this State. The 45-day limit shall begin on the day after the disposition of the criminal investigation. The 45-day requirement of this paragraph for the filing of a complaint against an

officer shall not apply to a filing of a complaint by a private individual. A failure to comply with said provisions as to the service of the complaint and the

time within which a complaint is to be filed shall require a dismissal of the complaint. The law enforcement officer may waive the right to a hearing and may appeal the charges

directly to any available authority specified by law or regulation, or follow any

other procedure recognized by a contract, as permitted by law.