A member of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System may purchase credit for time during which the member shall have been absent on an official leave without pay. The credit shall be purchased for a period of time equal to:
The purchase shall be made in the same manner and be subject to the same terms and conditions provided for the purchase of previous membership service by section 1 of P.L. 1973, c.63 (C.43:16A-11.4).
N.J.S. § 43:16A-11.10