On June 30, 2022, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka appointed Raul Malave, III as Interim Public Safety Director. In this role, Director Malave will lead the Division of Police, Division of Fire and Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. He has oversight of more over 1,000 sworn police officers, 650 firefighters and over 350 civilian employees.

Growing up in Newark’s North Ward, Interim Director Raul Malave knew he was destined to become a public safety servant when, at age 7, his family’s Summer Avenue home caught on fire. He was astonished by the well-coordinated efforts and dedication of responding police and fire personnel. That was the very moment he committed to becoming a public servant.

When he wasn’t immediately called by the Fire Department, Interim Director Malave applied for the position of police officer. But in 1995 his dream became a reality when he received the call to serve as one of “Newark’s Bravest.”

Over the years, his meteoric rise took him from serving as an entry-level Firefighter to Fire Captain. In November 2010, he became the first Hispanic Newark Fire Division Battalion Chief. He also served as the executive officer for both the Fire Director and Fire Chief’s Offices. There, he became adept in managing the administrative affairs of the agency, encompassing budget preparation, recruitment, training and discipline, short and long term strategic planning, apparatus and equipment acquisition, and community outreach programming.

In September 2016 Interim Director Malave was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief, again becoming the first Hispanic to hold this impressive rank in the department’s history. His commitment and dedication to public service also afforded him the role of Deputy Essex County Fire Coordinator.

In January 2016, Interim Director Malave achieved the esteemed honor of being appointed Interim Director of the Newark Department of Public Safety. In this, the most challenging assignment of his career, he assists in providing executive oversight to the Police Division, Fire Division and Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security. Interim Director Malave has astutely applied his experience and vision toward implementing shared services throughout the department by harnessing the best practices of all three disciplines, thereby creating greater efficiency and enhancing the ongoing success of the department.

During his distinguished 22-year career, Interim Director Malave has garnered several awards and received significant training in Emergency Management and Urban Search and Rescue. He has also received a New Jersey Legislature Senate Resolution; the prestigious 200 Club Valor Award from the 200 Club of Essex County; a Life Saving Medal from the Newark Firefighter’s Union; the International Association of Firefighters Valor Award; the Hispanic Firefighter’s Achievement Award (1st Latino Battalion Chief); and the Grand Cordon Award Team Rescue Newark Firefighter’s Union for years 1998, 1999 and 2004.