Leadership
In 2015, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka launched his vision to consolidate Police, Firefighters, and Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security personnel under the newly created Department of Public Safety. The merger enhances public safety by making the operations of these essential services more efficient and effective. In 2022, Mayor Baraka tapped Fritz Fragé to serve as Newark’s Public Safety Director. He oversees nearly 2,000 city employees, including 1,100 police officers, 650 firefighters, and over 350 civilian employees, all dedicated to serving the residents and visitors of the City of Newark with the utmost in public safety excellence.
Meet The Mayor
The Honorable Mayor Ras J. Baraka
A native of Newark, whose family has lived in the City for more than 80 years, Mayor Baraka’s progressive approach to governing has won him accolades from grassroots organizations to the White House. With a forward-thinking agenda that reduced crime to its lowest levels in five decades, addressed affordability while maintaining steady growth, lowered unemployment, and returned local control of schools after more than two decades, Baraka has defied expectations since taking office in 2014.
Mayor Baraka’s futurist agenda has included the implementation of a groundbreaking partnership called Hire. Buy. Live. Newark, a program that marks the first time that any US city has sought to transform its economy by combining employment, procurement, and residential strategies.
As part of his commitment to strengthen Newark’s position in the expanded technology space, the City launched LinkNWK (pronounced Link Newark). This communications network of sidewalk kiosks provides Newark residents and visitors with free, gigabit Wi-Fi, mobile device charging, phone calls to anywhere in the U.S., access to municipal services, maps and directions, and real-time local information on city streets at no cost to taxpayers or users.
Mayor Baraka is also recognized nationally as a thought leader in the space of urban revitalization, and his commitment to reducing crime in Newark, reimagining public safety, tackling the city’s housing crisis, and developing innovative and community-driven approaches to eliminating income inequality has solidified his status as one of the country’s most progressive elected officials.
Mayor Baraka was educated in the Newark Public Schools. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from Howard University in Washington, D.C. and a Master’s Degree in Education Supervision from St. Peter’s University in Jersey City. His father, the late Amiri Baraka, was a legendary poet and playwright. His mother, Amina Baraka, is herself a renowned poet. Doting husband, and father of three daughters and a son, Mayor Baraka is a published author and is well-regarded in the entertainment industry for his appearance on the Grammy-award winning album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” in his authentic role as an educator, and for his EP “What We Want.”
Meet The Director
Emanuel Miranda
The Honorable Mayor Ras J. Baraka tapped Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel “Manny” Miranda to guide the Newark Department of Public Safety effective November 11, 2024.
A native Newarker with a keen passion for serving his city and safeguarding 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 in 2022.
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 Assistant Public Safety Director
Steven Anderson
In his new role, Director Anderson will support Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, Sr., in leading the City of Newark’s Police and Fire divisions, and its Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Preparedness.
Anderson brings to the position an impressive background in public safety. In 2011, he was promoted to the rank of Fire Captain. Due to his exceptional leadership skills, he was assigned to the Office of the Fire Chief in 2012. In 2018, he received yet another promotion to the rank of Battalion Chief and also served as Chief of Staff to Newark’s Fire Chief. Only three years later, Anderson was honorably promoted to the rank of Deputy Fire Chief.
His extensive training includes completing the certified public manager course at Rutgers University and the intermediate TEEX A&M Engineering Extension Service (ICS 300) for expanding incidents. He was also certified as chief in the All-Hands Planning/Understanding the Command Structure course and served as a National Fire Academy Safety Officer.
Anderson’s remarkable volunteer work includes service to the American Lung Association’s Fight for the Climb annual event and the American Red Cross Committee. He also serves as coordinator for Mayor Baraka’s weekly food donations.
The Newark Department of Public Safety is immensely proud to serve under the outstanding leadership of Assistant Public Safety Director Steven Anderson.