Borough of Belmar Policemen's Benevolent Ass'n of Local 50 v. Borough of Belmar

McGANN, J. S. C.

The essential relief sought in this action in lieu of prerogative writs is a declaration that the Borough of Belmar, through its police chief, does not have the power to hire and assign “special” police officers to the usual duties of “regular” police officers. A resolution of that issue involves an understanding of what those terms mean and an interpretation of applicable statutes. The Attorney General and State P.B.A. have been admitted as amici curiae.

Belmar is a small community bordering on the Atlantic Ocean. Its year-round population is 5,782 (1970 census). The estimated…