Jersey City Abolishes Police Director Position
The city has consolidated oversight of police operations, shifting management responsibilities to the public safety director.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in People
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Jersey City has officially abolished the position of police director as part of a recent departmental reorganization. Former director Tawana Moody, who led the department since 2018, transitioned to the city law department in January 2026.
Why it matters
The change reflects a shift in municipal leadership strategy as Mayor James Solomon consolidated oversight under the public safety director. For local business owners, the move signals a broader structural shift in city hall operations following the recent resignation of four department heads.
The city recently completed a $6 million investment in the Jersey City Public Safety De-Escalation Training Center. This comes as four city department heads resigned within a 48-hour period last week.
The players
James Solomon
The Mayor of Jersey City responsible for municipal administrative oversight and department head appointments.
Tawana Moody
A former Jersey City police director who previously oversaw the Public Safety De-Escalation Training Center project.
Robert Kearns
The permanent police chief of Jersey City who now manages department operations following a leadership restructuring.
Anthony Ambrose
The public safety director in Jersey City tasked with managing departmental operations under the new administrative model.
The details
The police director role was eliminated following Mayor James Solomon’s determination that the civilian position was unnecessary. Oversight of the department now rests with public safety director Anthony Ambrose and permanent police chief Robert Kearns, who assumed his role in October 2025. This administrative restructuring aligns with a larger series of personnel changes at the top of municipal leadership.
Timeline
2018: Tawana Moody began her tenure as police director.
October 2025: Robert Kearns was named permanent police chief.
January 2026: Tawana Moody transitioned to the city law department.
Market Landscape
The organizational shift follows the completion of the $6 million Jersey City Public Safety De-Escalation Training Center. It marks a transition toward centralized public safety control following the recent turnover among high-level city department heads.
Business operators should monitor how the consolidation of authority under the public safety director affects enforcement priorities and response times. The high volume of recent leadership resignations suggests a period of transition that may influence municipal procurement and permit processing.
The takeaway
The elimination of the police director role centralizes municipal public safety command under the mayor's office. Operators should track the stability of the remaining city leadership team, particularly given the recent departure of four department heads in a single 48-hour period.
Further reading
For more updates on local government leadership changes, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hudson County View.
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