Ashtyn Asay 
Maplewood will soon welcome a historic new leader to its police department. Niheema Malloy, current deputy chief of the Maplewood Police Department, is set to become the township’s first female chief of police. The Maplewood Township Committee officially appointed Deputy Chief Malloy during its May 19th meeting. She will be sworn in on July 21st before officially taking over as chief on August 1st, following Chief Sally’s retirement. Read on for more about Maplewood’s new Chief of Police.
About Incoming Chief Malloy
“We are excited to welcome Deputy Chief Niheema Malloy as Maplewood’s next Chief of Police and the first woman to lead the Maplewood Police Department,” Malia Herman, deputy mayor and Public Safety Committee chair, said in a press release. “She brings a strong record of leadership, professionalism, and commitment to public service, along with a vision for community-centered policing that makes her exceptionally well suited to guide the department into the future.”
Mayor Vic De Luca said he has watched Deputy Chief Malloy’s career since she first joined the department nearly two decades ago.
“I first met Deputy Chief Malloy in 2006, when the Township Committee interviewed her to become a Maplewood Police Officer,” Mayor De Luca said in a press release. “We knew that she would accomplish great things in Maplewood and happily made the appointment. She spoke about the importance of being a partner with the community, and she certainly has followed that practice. I am very excited about her selection as Maplewood’s next police chief.”
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Outgoing Chief Albert Sally said he is confident the department will continue to thrive under Malloy’s leadership. Over the next several months, he plans to work closely with Malloy to ensure a smooth transition before officially retiring.
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“The department will thrive and succeed under Deputy Chief Malloy’s leadership,” Chief Sally said. “I have full confidence that our new Chief will remain dedicated to the safety of the Maplewood community.”
Addressing Maplewood residents, Deputy Chief Malloy assured them that their trust is not given lightly, and their safety is not taken for granted.
“I offer you a simple pledge: policing that is built in community partnership. As a department, we will listen to your concerns, your ideas and your vision of what proactive service looks like – encouraging valuable preemptive conversations before a crisis occurs,” Deputy Chief Malloy said in a press release. “Our officers will continue to be trained in de-escalation, crisis and mental health responses, along with best tactics in criminal detection. Safety is our mission, but collaboration is our strength.”
Chief Albert Sally Retires After 25 Years of Service
Chief Sally joined the Maplewood Police Department in 2001 and was appointed chief in November 2022, following the sudden death of Chief Jimmy DeVual on October 21st, 2022. According to the Township of Maplewood, the late Chief DeVaul, who was described by former Mayor Dean Dafis as “a mainstay presence in the community,” began his career with the Maplewood Police Department in 1993 and was sworn in as chief of police in 2018.
According to a report from Patch, Chief Sally, a Summit native, became the highest-ranking African American officer in Maplewood Police Department history when he was promoted to lieutenant. He was also the first African American officer to hold the titles of captain, deputy chief, and chief within the department. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Kean University, and a master of arts in human resources management from Seton Hall University.
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“Chief Sally dedicated 25 years of service to the Maplewood Police Department, including the past three and a half years as Chief,” Deputy Mayor and Public Safety Committee Chair Malia Herman said in a press release. “We thank him for his commitment to the Township and wish him all the best in his retirement. At the same time, we are excited to welcome Deputy Chief Niheema Malloy as Maplewood’s next Chief of Police and the first woman to lead the Maplewood Police Department.”
Who is Niheema Malloy?
According to the Township of Maplewood, Deputy Chief Malloy brings more than 25 years of law enforcement experience to the role. She has served with the Maplewood Police Department since 2006.
“I first met Niheema Malloy in 2006 when she was an Irvington police officer looking to transfer to Maplewood. Niheema told us then that she wanted to serve and be a partner with the community. She believed there would be more opportunities to do that in Maplewood,” Mayor De Luca told The Montclair Girl. Deputy Chief Malloy earned a master of arts in human resources personnel management from Seton Hall University, completed Rutgers University’s certified public manager program, and graduated from Northwestern University’s supervision of police personnel program. She has served as deputy chief since January 2023.
Photo by Miriam Perez/Maplewood Township
“In her 20 years in Maplewood, she has moved through the ranks and taken on more responsibility each step of the way,” Mayor De Luca said. “She is perfectly suited to be the next police chief, the first woman and second person of color to hold that position.”
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