Gov. Phil Murphy will appoint Dave Sierotowicz, a New Jersey State Police lieutenant colonel who serves as the Homeland Security Branch Commander, as the acting State Police Superintendent after Patrick Callahan’s retirement on December 31.
Sierotowicz will hold the post through the end of the Murphy administration at noon on January 20, 2026.
Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill is expected to name her own State Police Superintendent, and she could break a glass ceiling by naming the first woman to lead the 3,300-member department.
Sources with some knowledge of Sherrill’s transition have identified Jeanne Hengemuhle, a retired lieutenant colonel and 25-year State Police veteran; and Stacey Lloyd, a retired State Police sergeant and the chief of police at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Also under consideration by Sherrill: State Police Major Domingo De Los Santos and Jerome Hatfield, a former State Police Lt. Colonel and Deputy Superintendent of Homeland Security. Hatfield is a former FEMA Region II administrator and has held public safety positions at Kean University for the last seven years.
Sherrill’s search comes amid uncertainty about whether the State Police will remain under the authority of the Attorney General – Sherrill has named Jennifer Davenport to fill that post – or whether the legislature will pass a bill creating a separate Department of State Police. Sherrill has not weighed in on the legislation.
The fledgling administration also becomes the heir to an active investigation into alleged misconduct by ranking members of the State Police, including claims of retaliation and racism. The attorney general’s office has empaneled a grand jury to review evidence.
