New Acting Police Chief Appointed For Hoboken

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla announced Monday the appointment of Hoboken Police Captain Steven Aguiar as acting police chief effective March 1, when Acting Police Chief Daniel LoBue retires.

LoBue had taken over last year when former Chief Kenneth Ferrante retired.

Captain Aguiar will become the second Hispanic Acting Police Chief in Hoboken’s history, following Edelmiro “Eddie” Garcia’s service as acting police chief in 2014.

Aguiar, a Hoboken native, joined the Hoboken Police Department in 2002, the city said. During his 20 years with the department, Captain Aguiar served as a patrol officer and a detective with the Vice Unit.

He has also commanded the Bureau of Internal Affairs, the department’s Technical Service Bureau, and the Emergency Response Unit and he has served on the Chief’s command staff since 2018. He is also a member of the city’s Policing Policy Task Force.

He has received awards for his service, including the Gallantry Star, Meritorious Service Award, Exceptional Service Award, Honorable Service Award, and Life Saving Award, among others.

“After conducting a thorough search for a new Police Chief, I found that I didn’t have to look far,” said Mayor Bhalla. “Captain Aguiar has outstanding leadership, team-leadingabilities, and the respect of his fellow officers inside and outside of the department."

“I am honored to continue to serve the city I love in this new capacity,” said Aguiar. “I would like to thank Mayor Bhalla for the opportunity to lead the Hoboken Police Department, and I look forward to working with my fellow officers and the administration to modernize the department, keep residents safe, and enhance community relations.”

“I know that I am leaving the department in good hands under the capable leadership of Captain Aguiar,” said Chief LoBue. “Captain Aguiar is an officer of integrity who possesses the experience and knowledge to lead the department in the years ahead. I know he will continue to serve the City and its residents well.”

Councilman Joe Quintero said, "Captain Aguiar represents the best of us, a home-grown talent with a distinguished career whom we can all look up to. As chair of the City Council’s Public Safety Subcommittee, I look forward to working closely with him over the next few years."

He added, "Also, as a fellow Hispanic American, I am proud to see Captain Aguiar take on this new responsibility as just the second Hispanic acting police chief in our city’s history; diversity and representation within our city’s leadership matters and is critical to our success.”

The city will hold a retirement ceremony for Chief LoBue and a promotion ceremony for Captain Aguiar in the coming weeks.

When asked when the city will appoint Aguiar or someone else permanent chief, city spokesperson Marilyn Baer said Aguiar "will be considered pending the Civil Service process."

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