Fort Lee Raises Cap on Class III Special Police Officers From 3 to 5

FORT LEE, N.J. — The Fort Lee Mayor and Council adopted an ordinance Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, that raises the number of Class III special law enforcement officers allowed in the borough’s police table of organization from three to five, while leaving the department’s overall cap of 115 officers unchanged, according to borough records.

Ordinance 2026-21, which amends Chapter 90, Section 2, “Formation and Rank,” of the borough code, was introduced Sept. 17, given its public hearing and final reading Oct. 15, and approved by Mayor Mark J. Sokolich the same day, according to the adoption notice signed by Municipal Clerk Evelyn Rosario and posted Oct. 16.

What the ordinance changes

The new text says the police table of organization “may consist of not more than 115 officers in total and 5 Special Law Enforcement Class III (SLEO III) officers,” in positions filled “at the sole discretion of the Mayor and Council.” The rank breakdown is:

• 1 police chief
• 2 deputy chiefs
• 5 captains
• 9 lieutenants
• 17 sergeants, with sergeants and lieutenants combined not to exceed 26
• 81 police officers “or higher,” not to exceed the department’s full complement
• 5 Class III special law enforcement officers

The previous version, Ordinance 2025-15 — introduced June 12, 2025, and adopted Aug. 14, 2025, according to the copy posted on the borough’s eCode360 code site — had the same 115-officer cap and the same rank numbers, but allowed three Class III officers. The only change Bergen TV found when comparing the two texts is the Class III number.

What a Class III officer is

Under New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.10 and 146.11), Class III special law enforcement officers must be retired law enforcement officers under 65. They have full police powers only while providing security at a public or nonpublic school or a county college, on school or college grounds, during school hours or when students or staff are present. They may not otherwise be assigned to duties off school or college property.

The Fort Lee ordinance itself does not mention schools, say where the added officers would be posted, or estimate a cost.

Also on the Oct. 15 agenda

The same meeting’s consent agenda listed acceptance of the retirement notice of Police Officer John Bakas, effective Nov. 1, 2026, according to the posted agenda.

What fits — and what still doesn’t

• A small, specific change. The ordinance does not add sworn full-time positions; the 115 cap and every rank number stay the same. The change is two more Class III slots — positions state law reserves for retired officers working school or county-college security.
• No stated reason. Neither the ordinance text nor the agenda explains why the borough wants five Class III slots instead of three, or whether the slots will be filled.
• Vote not shown. The adoption notice says the ordinance was adopted and approved but does not list the roll-call vote. Minutes of the Oct. 15 meeting were not among the documents Bergen TV reviewed.
• Cap vs. headcount. The ordinance sets maximums. The borough documents reviewed do not say how many sworn officers or Class III officers Fort Lee currently employs.

Open questions

• Why does Fort Lee want two more Class III slots, and which schools would they cover?
• How many Class III officers does the borough employ now, and what is the hourly cost?
• Does the Fort Lee school district share the cost?
• How many sworn officers does the department currently have against the 115 cap?
• What was the vote, and did anyone speak at the public hearing?

Sources: Ordinance 2026-21 introduction notice and text; Ordinance 2026-21 adoption notice, Oct. 16, 2026; Oct. 15, 2026, Mayor and Council agenda; Ordinance 2025-15 (eCode360); N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.11.