Next Wayne Police Chief Announced As Jack McNiff Prepares To Retire

WAYNE, NJ — As current Wayne Township Chief of Police Jack McNiff heads toward retirement, officials have selected Detective Captain Joseph Rooney as the next leader of the department.

Rooney — now promoted to Deputy Chief — has been with Wayne PD for 16 years and will oversee close to 130 sworn officers in three divisions (Patrol, Investigative, and Operations).

The Morris County native also formerly served in the Washington Township and Wildwood Police Departments. He was selected as the top choice from among four captains in the department in what was an "extremely difficult" decision, said Mayor Chris Vergano in a letter to township staff.

"I am confident that Deputy Chief Rooney and his executive staff will lead by example the 126 men and women who proudly wear the badge of the Wayne Township Police Department," Vergano said. "I thank all of you for all that you do to keep our community a safe place to live, work and raise a family."

McNiff is retiring at the beginning of July after leading the department for about five years; the new chief will officially take over after he finishes his accumulated leave time.

According to the Wayne PD website, McNiff began his career in law enforcement in 1996, working as a police officer in West Caldwell and Montclair before joining Wayne PD in 2001.

He then became a detective and rose further through the ranks before eventually being named acting chief in 2019, replacing former Chief James Clarke.

"He has served well and has positioned the department for an easy transition for the new Chief," Vergano wrote in his message to town employees. "We wish him and his family well as they start a new chapter in their lives. "