Except as otherwise provided by law, no person shall be appointed as a member of the police department and force, unless he:
The appointing body, officer or officers of the municipality when authorized so to do, may employ such officers and other personnel for said police department and force as temporary employees in emergencies, or for certain specified parts of the year, as needed.
Except as otherwise provided by law, any permanent member or officer of such police department and force who shall be absent from duty without just cause or leave of absence, for a continuous period of 5 days, shall cease to be a member of such police department and force.
N.J.S. § 40A:14-122