Crime & Safety

Women Make Newark Police Department History

Sheilah Coley became the department's first female director and Ivonne Roman was expected to be named chief.

Newark's two highest-ranking police officials are women for the first time in history.

Sheilah Coley was officially appointed police director on Thursday after serving as acting director since Samuel DeMaio's retirement last month. Ivonne Roman was expected to be appointed Thursday night as the department's new chief, according to NJ.com.

Coley is the department's first woman director and Roman is the second female chief after Coley previously held the position.


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