in Town’s History 

[May 19, 2026] This summer, Maplewood Township will have a new police chief in town. After 25 years serving our town, Maplewood Police Chief Albert Sally will retire this July, passing the baton to his current Deputy Police Chief, Niheema Malloy. The incoming chief was appointed at tonight’s Township Committee meeting, and her swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for July 21, 2026. 

“I first met Deputy Chief Malloy in 2006, when the Township Committee interviewed her to become a Maplewood Police Officer,” Mayor Vic De Luca said, “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.”

Deputy Chief Malloy comes to the position with over 25 years of law enforcement experience, having served Maplewood Township since 2006. She earned her Master of Arts from Seton Hall University, majoring in Human Resources Personnel Management; completed the Rutgers University Certified Public Manager program; and completed the Northwestern University Supervision of Police Personnel program. She was promoted to Deputy Police Chief in Maplewood on January 3, 2023. 

“The department will thrive and succeed under Deputy Chief Malloy’s leadership,” said current Chief Sally, who plans to use the next few months to transition Malloy into the role, before officially retiring on July 31, 2026.  “I have full confidence that our new Chief will remain dedicated to the safety of the Maplewood community.” 

Chief Sally was first hired on January 22, 2001 and promoted to Police Chief on November 14, 2022. “Chief Sally dedicated 25 years of service to the Maplewood Police Department, including the past three and a half years as Chief,” said Deputy Mayor and Public Safety Committee Chair, Malia Herman. “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. 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.”

Deputy Chief Malloy will assume the position of Police Chief on August 1, 2026, marking her first day as Maplewood Township Chief of Police. “To all the residents of Maplewood, thank you," Chief Niheema Malloy said, addressing town residents directly. "Your trust is not given lightly, and your 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. 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.”