New Police Chief, Public Safety Director Appointed For Jersey City

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Two lifelong Jersey City residents and members of the police force will take on major public safety roles in the city, Mayor James Solomon announced Wednesday.

Jocelyn Roldan, who has worked in internal affairs and department administration, will become acting director of the Department of Public Safety, a city spokesperson said.

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She will become the first Latina woman to lead the public safety department.

Travis Ragland, a longtime police officer and former Traffic Unit commander, will become chief of police. He'll be the city's first black police chief in nearly 40 years. (The only other Black police chief was Walter Adams, who began his job in 1985.)

Current Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose is preparing to leave the department after serving well beyond his initial three-month commitment, the city said.

"Jocelyn and Travis have spent their careers serving this city and they understand the communities, challenges and people behind the work," Solomon said.

Solomon said that during Ambrose's tenure as director of the Department of Public Safety, crime in Jersey City declined by 25 percent. He also led the development of the city's Traffic Department, expanding the city's capacity to address traffic safety and enforcement.

"I grew up in Jersey City, went to college here, and have spent my entire 19-year law enforcement career serving this community," Roldan said. "To now have the opportunity to lead the Department of Public Safety is an incredible honor."

"I was born and raised in Jersey City, and for the past 21 years," said Ragland. "I've worked my way through the ranks, and I believe leadership starts with setting the right example, even when no one is watching. As chief, my priorities will be building trust with our community, using data- and intelligence-led policing to address the root causes of crime and residents' concerns, and making sure our officers have the support they need to do their jobs effectively."

For more information about the Jersey City Department of Public Safety, its divisions and services, head here.

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