Newark Superior Officers Association, a Fraternal Organization Incorporated Under the Laws of the State of New…

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey held that the 1979 statute allowing mayors of first‑class cities with a Mayor‑Council Plan C to appoint police chiefs without competitive examination is a constitutional classification and not special legislation. The Court also found the 1981 amendment’s grandfather clause unconstitutional as special legislation but severable, leaving the remainder of the statute valid. Justice O’Hern concurred in the result but disagreed with the majority’s holding that the amendment must be struck down.