Police Division chiefs

The Newark Police Division’s leaders are committed to serving those who live, work and visit the City of Newark by extending the highest degree of integrity and respect to all. Our goal is to continue strengthening positive police-community relations by interacting with the public collaboratively to ensure safety.

Meet the Chief of Police

Emanuel “Manny” Miranda

On August 1, 2022, Emanuel “Manny” Miranda was tapped by the Honorable Mayor Ras J. Baraka to serve as Chief of the Newark Police Division.

A native Newarker with a keen passion to serve his city and to safeguard its diverse communities, Chief Miranda was sworn in as a Newark Police Officer in 2001.

He humbly began his exemplary career as a patrolman in the 5th Precinct, serving the residents of the City of Newark’s South Ward.

In 2005, he joined the precinct’s Detective Bureau, where he honed his astute investigative skills by efficiently solving homicides, shootings, and other major crimes.

In 2016, Miranda’s exceptional work ethic was noted through his promotion to the rank of sergeant. After serving in the Communications Division until 2017, he was appointed as commander of the Homicide Task Force, comprising detectives of the Newark Police Division and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Miranda’s leadership prowess was again recognized in 2018 when he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. A year later, he was appointed as commander of the Newark Police Division’s Robbery Unit.

In 2020, Miranda’s distinguished leadership proficiencies were aptly acknowledged through his promotion to the rank of captain, serving as a special assistant to the Office of the Public Safety Director before being named as Newark Chief of Police.

A faithful and devoted family man, Chief Miranda’s humble, yet meteoric rise to leading the Newark Police Division has been lovingly supported by his wife, their two sons, and a myriad of family members and friends.

Meet the Deputy Chiefs

José A. Gonzalez

Newark Police Deputy Chief José A. Gonzalez is presently assigned to the Support Services Bureau, encompassing the Communications Division, Municipal Arrest Processing Section/Municipal Holding Section, and the Property and Evidence Section.

After moving to Newark from Puerto Rico when he was 6 years old, Deputy Chief Gonzalez joined the Newark Police Division in 1993. He was initially assigned to the West District as a patrol officer. Today, the West District covers both the 4th Precinct in Newark’s Central Ward and the 6th Precinct in the West Ward.

He was later assigned to the West Detective Squad, followed by the Robbery/Homicide Section, Auto Theft Task Force, Special Investigations Unit, Street Crimes Task Force, Central Narcotics Division, and the Office of Professional Responsibility, currently known as the Office of Professional Standards.

In year 2000, Deputy Chief Gonzalez was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and assigned supervisory duties of the Robbery/Homicide Section, Auto Theft Task Force, Special Investigations Unit, and Street Crimes Task Force. Five years later, he was promoted to Lieutenant, overseeing the Street Crimes Task Force, Central Narcotics Division, and the Office of Professional Responsibility.

In December 2014, Deputy Chief Gonzalez rose to the rank of Captain, earning oversight of the 3rd Precinct and 2nd Precinct.

In his 25th year of service in 2018, he was sworn in as Deputy Chief of Police and continues to provide dedicated service to the people of the City of Newark.

Meet the Deputy Chiefs

Camilo Mos

Deputy Chief Camilo Mos began serving as Deputy Chief of Police on January 28, 2019 and is currently assigned as Commander of the Newark Police Operations Bureau. His duties include oversight of patrol operations and deployment in all Newark Police Division precincts, as well as the Metro Division, serving the downtown business district; Community Focus Division; Special Operations Division, encompassing the SWAT and Aviation units; the Traffic Section; and the Mounted Squad.

Raised in the City of Newark, Deputy Chief Mos attended East Side High School and continued his studies at Essex County College prior to joining the Newark Police Division in 1993. A 30-year veteran of the Newark Police Division, he has served in numerous capacities throughout his career.

After graduating from the Police Academy in 1993, Deputy Chief Mos was assigned to the 2nd Precinct’s Patrol Division and later to the Quality of Life Taskforce. In 2000, he was promoted to Sergeant and served as a Field Supervisor in the 4th and 3rd precincts as well as in the Prisoner Processing Division. In March 2008, Chief Mos was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned as an Integrity Control Officer in the 3rd Precinct and later to the Office of Professional Standards where he served until 2014.

After being promoted to Captain in December 2014, Deputy Chief Mos was assigned as Commanding Officer of the newly reinstated 1st Precinct, which he led until his promotion to Deputy Chief in 2019.

As a Deputy Chief, he has served as commanding officer of the Support Services Bureau and the Accountability, Engagement & Oversight Bureau, which includes the Consent Decree Unit, the Office of Professional Standards, and the Training Division.

Meet the Deputy Chiefs

Cesar Soares

Newark Police Deputy Chief Cesar Soares oversees the Accountability, Engagement, and Oversight Bureau, encompassing the Office of Professional Standards, Consent Decree and Planning Division, Recruitment and Transparency Division, and the Training Division.

A graduate of Newark’s East Side High School and the Teterboro School of Aeronautics, Deputy Chief Soares was appointed as a Newark Police Officer in 1998. He was initially assigned to the 3rd Precinct, located in the Ironbound District, and then to the 2nd Precinct, located in the city’s North Ward.

After being promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2005, Deputy Chief Soares was assigned to the Central Communications Division where calls for service are received. Before rising to the rank of Lieutenant in 2011, he served in the 5th and 3rd Precincts, and in the Office of Professional Standards.

In 2018, after successfully serving as Executive Officer of the 2nd Precinct, he was promoted to Captain, overseeing the precinct’s staff, operations, and community engagement. A year later, he was assigned as the Commanding Officer of the Special Victims Division.

Upon his promotion as Deputy Chief of Police in 2022, Soares was assigned to the Operations Bureau.

Today, as Commander of the Accountability, Engagement, and Oversight Bureau, he continues to provide the highest caliber of professionalism and service to the people of the City of Newark.

 

Meet the Deputy Chiefs

Matthew Spencer Jr.

Deputy Chief Matthew Spencer Jr. began serving as Deputy Chief of Police on June 1, 2023.

He currently serves as Commander of the Newark Police Support Services Bureau, which encompasses the Communications Division, Municipal Holding Division, and the Property and Evidence Division. Overseeing these Divisions, Deputy Chief Spencer directs the operations of the Central Communications Division/911 Call Center, Municipal Arrest Processing Section, and Subpoena Control, among other police service areas.

In overseeing the Support Services Bureau, Deputy Chief Spencer is responsible for leading the functions that support police operations through communications, the processing of prisoners, court security, and the management of property and evidence.

After joining the Newark Police Division in September 1990, Deputy Chief Spencer served as a patrol officer in the West District. He later served residents of the North and South Districts before joining Internal Affairs in 2006. He served the Newark Police Division as a field and desk Supervisor in several of the precincts, advancing in rank to Deputy Chief.

A dedicated and insightful law enforcement leader, Deputy Chief Spencer’s expansive career, spanning over 30 years, includes previous command oversight of the 5th Precinct, the Community Focus Unit, and Command Operations.