Does the South Orange Police Department have an early warning system which identifies problematic behavior or actions prior to them becoming a much larger issue?


The South Orange Police Department has implemented an early warning system designed to detect patterns and trends in police conduct before that conduct escalates. This early warning system can assist the South Orange Police Department in identifying and remediating problematic officer conduct that poses a potential risk to the public, to the South Orange Police Department, and to the officer. The following are performance indicators contained in the early warning system:

  •  Internal affairs complaints against the officer, whether initiated by another officer or by a member of the public
  • Civil actions filed against the officer
  • Criminal investigations of or criminal complaints against the officer
  • Any use of force by the officer that is formally determined or adjudicated (for example,by internal affairs or a grand jury) to have been excessive, unjustified, or unreasonable
  • Domestic violence investigations in which the officer is an alleged subject
  • An arrest of the officer, including on a driving under the influence charge
  • Sexual harassment claims against an officer
  • Vehicular collisions involving the officer that are formally determined to have been the fault of the officer
  • A positive drug test by the officer
  • Cases or arrests by the officer that are rejected or dismissed by a court
  • Cases in which evidence obtained by an officer is suppressed by a court
  • Insubordination by the officer
  • Neglect of duty by the officer
  • Unexcused absences by the officer
  • Any other indicators, as determined by the Chief of the South Orange Police Department

Once an officer has displayed the performance indicators necessary to trigger the early warning system, assigned supervisory personnel shall initiate remedial action to address the officer’s behavior. The following remedial/corrective action may include but is not limited to:

  • Training or re-training
  • Counseling
  • Intensive supervision
  • Fitness-for-duty examination
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) referral
  • Any other appropriate remedial or corrective action

Show All Answers

1. What is the hiring process like to become a South Orange Police Officer?
2. What type of continuing education and or training does a South Orange Police Officer receive during their career?
3. Why is the word PROUD written on the back of all of the department’s police vehicles?
4. Do South Orange Police Officer’s currently wear body worn cameras?
5. What is the Primary function of the Internal Affairs Unit at The South Orange Police Department?
6. Does the South Orange Police Department have an early warning system which identifies problematic behavior or actions prior to them becoming a much larger issue?
7. Can an anonymous person file a complaint against a South Orange Police Officer?
8. Does the South Orange Police Department have a Use of Force policy?
9. Are South Orange Police Officers trained to verbally de-escalate a situation before resorting to using force?
10. Are there any circumstances where a South Orange Police Officer is permitted to use excessive force?
11. Can a South Orange Police Officer shoot at or from a moving vehicle?
12. Are South Orange Police Officers required to intervene if they witness another officer using excessive force?
13. Are South Orange Police Officers required to report incidents where they have used force?
14. What is the difference between a Use of Force Report and a complaint of excessive force?
15. What use of force options are available to a South Orange Police Officer?
16. Under what circumstances may a South Orange Police Officer use physical or mechanical force?
17. Under what circumstances may a South Orange Police Officer use deadly force?
18. Are South Orange Police Officers permitted to use chokeholds?
19. If a South Orange Police Officer uses force during an encounter, are they trained to administer the necessary medical aid to the subject should it be required?
20. Do the South Orange Police Department’s policies and procedures regarding Use of Force align with the “8 Can’t Wait” campaign?
21. Does the South Orange Police Department have any options in place to redirect juvenile offenders out of the criminal justice system?
22. What is the level of police involvement with youth and in schools (specifically, DARE, LEAD, SROs, and athletics)?
23. Does the South Orange Police Department currently have a civilian review board?
24. What types of calls for service does a South Orange Police Officer respond to? What other resources does South Orange have to reduce the number of calls to the police?
25. Does the racial makeup of the South Orange Police Department reflect the community it serves?
26. How can I obtain a copy of a police report?
27. How do I apply for a firearms ID card and/or a handgun permit?
28. Where I can I learn more about the South Orange Village Digital Video System?