Newark's first female police chief says she plans to be very visible in the community.
Sheilah Coley was formally introduced Tuesday.
The veteran officer was appointed by Mayor Cory Booker and approved by the Newark City Council after it re-established the police chief position last week.
Coley's boss, Police Director Samuel DeMaio, joined her to say that crime reduction is a priority during one of the most violent summers in recent memory.
Coley and DeMaio are stepping in at a difficult time for the department. More than 150 officers were laid off last year, and a recent surge in violent crime has nearly erased substantial earlier gains in Booker's tenure.
DeMaio was confirmed last week after being appointed to replace Garry McCarthy, who resigned to become police director in Chicago.
