Sheilah Coley

Vice-President North, Director, Trenton Police Department

Director Sheilah A. Coley joined the Newark Police Department in 1989. As a patrol officer, she was assigned to the West and East Districts. In 1991, she was a detective in the Narcotics Unit and the East Detective’s Squad. She also worked with the Newark Police Athletic League (NPAL), where she developed and supervised activities for the youth population. In 1996, Director Coley was promoted to Sergeant. In that capacity, she returned to the West District as Patrol Supervisor. She was later assigned to Internal Affairs and Professional Standards Bureaus.

In 1999, she was assigned as the Commander of the South District Detective Squad. Promoted to Lieutenant in 200, she was assigned to the Safer Cities Task Force, Commander of the Sexual Assault Rape Analysis (SARA) Unit. In 2002, she became the Executive Officer of the Criminal Investigation Bureau and also served a brief term as the Investigative Lieutenant in The Communications Division. Upon being promoted to Captain in 2004, she assumed responsibility as Executive Officer of the South District, subsequently becoming Commander of the South District (5 Precinct). Additionally, as Captain, Director Coley has been the Commander of the Police Academy, Criminal Investigations, Communications Division and the Office of Professional Responsibility. Director Coley became Newark’s first female Chief of Police in August 2011 and first female Newark Police Director March 13, 2014.

Director Coley graduated from Fairleigh Dickenson University earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Administrative Science, respectively. She recently accepted a position to lead the men and women of the Trenton Police Department. Director Coley is also a member of the American Legion.