Morris takes on her assignment in a career anchored by hard-earned promotions that have prepared her for her current position.

She joined the force in 1998 as a West District foot patrol officer, who moved up to detective two years later in 2000. She held that post for eight years, a productive stint in the Human Resources Department, where Morris was fiscally responsible and observant.

Morris monitored the police divisions’ overtime and, during an audit project, she discovered outstanding funds the division had not received from the state of New Jersey for outside employment.

Her meticulous skill set didn’t go unnoticed when she became a Sergeant in 2008. Over the next eight years, Morris led several police districts, supervised patrol units, implemented strategies to track and reduce crime, and managed the police division’s finances.

In 2016, she was transferred to the Office of Professional Standards as an investigative Sergeant. As her professional value grew, Morris was quickly promoted to Lieutenant, then to Executive Officer in 2017. Diligently showcasing a leadership pedigree that would again be recognized, she was promoted to Commanding Captain of the Office of Professional Standards in 2020.

In 2021, Morris was tapped by Mayor Ras J. Baraka to serve as Deputy Director of Police Operations. In that role, she assisted the Public Safety Director in guiding the daily operations of the Newark Police Division. In 2024, she was appointed to the position of Chief of Police of the Newark Police Division.

Morris, a graduate of University High School in Newark and Rutgers University-Newark, has recently obtained her Master’s degree in Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Chief Costa’s success as a stellar investigator was further acknowledged by his promotion to the rank of Sergeant in 2016, when he was tapped to serve in the detective bureau of the then 1st Precinct, located in the City of Newark’s Central Ward.

The undeniable leadership prowess of Chief Costa was further noted by his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant in 2016, when he was called on to serve in the Office of the Chief of Police. In 2021, he graciously stepped up to the challenge of becoming Executive Officer of the Special Victims Division. A brief time later, he was promoted to the rank of Captain, overseeing the entire Special Victims Division, which handles sexual assaults, missing persons, domestic violence crimes, and other related crimes.

Chief Costa’s impeccable commitment to law enforcement leadership was once again noted in 2025, when he was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigations, overseeing all Newark Police investigative divisions, including the Special Victims Division, the General Crimes Division, the Major Crimes Division, the Intelligence Division, and the Ballistics and Crime Scene Division.

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.

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.

In 2016, Deputy Chief Padilla was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, serving as Firearms Range Commander. There, he supervised officer training, qualifications, and critical use-of-force instruction. Only three years later, he was promoted to Lieutenant, serving as Executive Officer in the Emergency Services Division and Assistant SWAT Commander, overseeing specialized operations, high-risk warrants, and tactical deployments.

He was promoted again, in 2022, to the rank of Captain, commanding multiple divisions, including the Community Focus Division and the Recruitment and Transparency Division. In these roles, he supervised large teams of officers and investigators, led recruitment and hiring initiatives, strengthened departmental accountability, and worked closely with community leaders toward achieving public safety goals.

In 2026, Deputy Chief Padilla commendably earned his current rank and serves as commander of the Support Services Bureau. In this role, he oversees the Communications Division, Municipal Holding Division, and the Property and Evidence Division. He is responsible for supervising more than 130 sworn and civilian personnel while ensuring compliance with operational standards, emergency response protocols, and evidence management practices.

Throughout his career, Deputy Chief Padilla has demonstrated the ability to lead in both operational and administrative environments. His experience spans patrol, investigations, specialized tactical operations, community policing, recruitment, and executive leadership.

He is recognized for his ability to adapt to complex assignments, mentor future leaders, and manage large organizational groups while maintaining a precise focus on professionalism, accountability, and unwavering service to the community.​