[ SOURCE] Sheilah Coley, who has been the city's acting police director since the retirement last month of Samuel DeMaio was officially confirmed as director by the city council today in 6-0 vote. She is the first woman to hold that post.
"It's just logical to make (Coley) director in this transitional period," said South Ward Councilman Ras Baraka, a mayoral contender. Baraka has said if he is elected he will conduct a nationwide search for a new director. A new mayor takes office July 1.
East Ward Councilman Augusto Amador said he has faith in Coley's leadership.
"I believe that she's the best candidate for the job right now," Amador said after the vote. "I'm in total support of her."
Coley, 51, graduated from the police academy in 1989 and spent her first years with the department patrolling Newark's East Ward. She rose through the ranks from detective to sergeant, eventually becoming the lieutenant in charge of the sex crimes unit in 2001.
She became a captain in 2005 and in 2008 took command of the 5th Precinct, which includes much of the South Ward.
