Morristown Native Becomes Town's First Black Police Chief

MORRISTOWN, NJ — As a child, Darnell Richardson merely dreamed of joining his hometown's police force. Thirty-two years into his law-enforcement career, Richardson was sworn in Saturday as permanent police chief, becoming the first Black person to hold the role in Morristown.

Richardson served as acting chief the past two years but received the permanent appointment Dec. 13. He joined the Morristown Police Department in November 1989 as a uniformed officer before getting his first promotion to sergeant in 2007. Richardson also advanced to lieutenant in 2011 and captain four years later.

“My only goal was to become a police officer in my hometown as a child," Richardson said. "To hold the title of being the first African-American is something I never foresaw. I stand on the shoulders of other African American supervisors; Lt. George Jenkins, Lt. Willie Caldwell, Sgt. Timothy Jones, and Sgt. Melvin Dumas, who led before me. This promotion is an honor and an acknowledgment of how far the department has come and how much further we can go.”

Morristown holds a unique place in Black history. In 1971, the New Jersey Supreme Court combined Morristown and Morris Township schools into one district. The decision found that de facto segregation occurred, because Morristown had a substantial Black population and Morris Township did not.

The town recognized other important local activists in a news release announcing Richardson's appointment the permanent chief, including former Council Member Beatrice Jenkins — Morris County's first elected woman and person of color — and her husband, George Jenkins Sr. — one of Morristown's first Black police officers.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the appointment of Darnell Richardson as chief of Morristown’s Bureau of Police," said Mayor Tim Dougherty. "He has proven his capability and dedication to our citizens, and earned this prestigious position. I look forward to continuing our work together for the safety of all Morristownians.”

Policing in the United States remains an overwhelmingly white profession. In 2016, 71 percent of officers surveyed by the Bureau of Justice Statistics were white, compared to 61.27 percent of the nation's general population that year.

But it's become more common to see Black police chiefs, who lead in 21 of the nation's 50 biggest cities, Insider reported in 2020.

Morristown also swore in three Town Council members: Toshiba Foster, David Silva and Nathan Umbriac — all Democrats and council members at large.

Umbriac is the lone newcomer. He replaces former Council Member Michael Elms, who didn't seek re-election after serving for nine years.

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