Jersey City Eliminates Police Director Position
The city abolished the role as part of a recent administrative restructuring within its public safety department.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in People
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Jersey City has eliminated the police director position as part of a departmental reorganization. Tawana Moody, who served in the role starting in 2018, moved to the law department in January 2026.
Why it matters
Mayor James Solomon decided against appointing a new civilian to the police director post, opting to streamline the leadership structure. The move follows a period of transition within city government, including the recent resignation of four department heads.
The city recently saw four department heads resign over a 48-hour period. This follows the completion of the Jersey City Public Safety De-Escalation Training Center, which cost $6 million.
The players
Tawana Moody
She served as the police director for Jersey City starting in 2018 before moving to the law department in early 2026.
James Solomon
He is the Mayor of Jersey City who determined that the city no longer required a civilian police director.
Robert Kearns
He serves as the permanent police chief for Jersey City, a role he assumed on a permanent basis in October 2025.
Anthony Ambrose
He serves as the public safety director for the city of Jersey City.
The details
The decision to dissolve the police director role reflects a broader shift in how the city manages its public safety administration. While Tawana Moody has been reassigned, Anthony Ambrose remains in place as the public safety director, and Robert Kearns continues his tenure as the permanent police chief.
Timeline
Tawana Moody assumed the police director role in 2018.
Robert Kearns began serving as acting police chief in May 2023.
Construction of the De-Escalation Training Center was completed in 2024.
Robert Kearns became the permanent police chief in October 2025.
Tawana Moody moved to the law department in January 2026.
Market Landscape
This leadership change occurs alongside the evolution of the city's infrastructure, specifically the $6 million Jersey City Public Safety De-Escalation Training Center. It reflects a wider trend of administrative consolidation within the local government's public safety apparatus.
Residents may see shifts in departmental priorities as the city transitions away from the civilian director model. These changes are part of a broader administrative reorganization following recent executive-level departures in the city.
The takeaway
The elimination of this role highlights a shift toward traditional departmental oversight within the city's public safety framework. Residents can monitor future city council sessions to understand how these structural changes affect ongoing training and service delivery.
Further reading
For more information on administrative changes, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hudson County View.
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