Keith Stith

Trustee, Chief, Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office

Keith Lamont Stith serves the citizens of Hudson County with distinction. Keith was the first African American to be promoted to the rank of Chief of Detectives at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.

He offers more than two decades of accomplishments and experience in the arena of Law enforcement. In 1990, Keith began his law enforcement career with the Union County Sheriff’s Office in Elizabeth, New Jersey. In 1994, Keith joined the Hudson County Prosecutor’ Office.

During his time with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, he served as a detective in the Narcotics Task Force. Keith also went on to serve as a Task Force Officer on the United States Custom Services – Financial Crimes Task Force.

In 2000, Keith was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. As a supervisor, he created and supervised the Municipal Task Force. In 2007, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.

As a Lieutenant, Keith was task to create a unit to address the proliferation of street gangs, and gun violence in Hudson County, which resulted in the formation of the Gang Task Force. In 2011, Keith was promoted to the rank of Captain and assigned to the Homicide Task Force. Under Keith’s leadership, the Homicide Task Force maintained an above 80% homicide clearance rate, which was considered to be the model for the State of New Jersey.

In 2015, Prosecutor Esther Suarez promoted Keith to the rank of Deputy of Chief.
Again, Keith was the first African American to be promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. In this position, Keith was responsible for the day-to-day investigative and administrative operations of the Criminal Investigation Division and specialized units.

Chief Stith is a graduate of Wagner College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology, and a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from New Jersey City University. In an effort to continue his professional development, Keith attended and graduated from the prestigious FBI National Black Law Enforcement Executives and Cedarville University. Additionally, Keith is an Adjunct Professor at Hudson County Community College and Monmouth University.