Historic first for New Jersey State Police as Jeanne Hengemuhle takes command

Sherrill’s pick is first woman and first openly gay leader of the 3,300-officer force, long scrutinized over profiling and internal affairs

Gov. Mikie Sherrill has tapped Lt. Col. Jeanne Hengemuhle to lead the New Jersey State Police, making her both the first woman and the first openly gay person to lead the agency in its 104-year history.

Hengemuhle, a 26-year veteran of the outfit, “brings deep experience and understanding of the NJSP’s mission and its central role in safeguarding communities across New Jersey,” the governor’s office said in a statement.

Hengemuhle officially took over as acting superintendent Thursday, replacing interim superintendent Lt. Col. David Sierotowicz.

“Jeanne Hengemuhle is a dedicated public servant with decades of experience in the State Police,” Sherrill said in a press release. “She understands not only the responsibilities of the job, but also the profound duty to serve and protect our communities each and every day.”

In response, Hengemuhle said it was an “honor to once again answer the call to protect and serve the State of New Jersey.”

“I know firsthand the critical role our troopers play in building strong community partnerships and safeguarding our residents against potential harm,” she said. “I am grateful that Gov. Sherrill has entrusted me with this position, and I will strive to lead with the State Police’s core values of honor, duty and fidelity.”

Sherrill’s choice is a relatively progressive pick for the 3,300-officer agency, which has had its share of troubles over its lengthy history — including a pair of federal consent decrees, one of which lasted for a decade after the department was accused of racial profiling during traffic stops in 1999.

But even as the state police made progress in some areas, it lagged in others.

A pair of 2024 reports criticized the department’s recruitment, hiring and promotional practices; raised questions about how it handles misconduct and retaliation; and pilloried its internal affairs department as being “weaponized against some troopers, while those favored by management operated with impunity,” former Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in September of that year.

It’s not yet clear what Hengemuhle’s priorities will be on the job.

But Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport lauded the woman who, she said, has “dedicated her career to making New Jersey safer.”

“Her experience with the New Jersey State Police gives her a deep understanding of the demands of the role and the innovations and trust that modern policing requires,” Davenport said. “She believes that each of us is deserving of dignity, respect, and justice, and I welcome the opportunity to work alongside her on behalf of the people of New Jersey.”

It also seems the state police union is happy with the choice.

Hengemuhle was an academy instructor when Wayne Blanchard, head of the State Troopers Fraternal Association, was at Sea Girt.

During that time, she “demonstrated great care and compassion for recruits, while instilling discipline, knowledge and professionalism to myself and all recruits,” Blanchard said.

“Hengemuhle enjoyed a dedicated and decorated career in the New Jersey State Police that will give her the tools and knowledge base to lead the State Police to its highest levels internally, while externally enhancing our police services capabilities while increasing public satisfaction,” he added.

A graduate of The College of New Jersey, the new superintendent has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and police science and a master’s degree in education, the governor’s office said.

Hengemuhle also graduated from the FBI National Academy’s 254th class, and has testified before Congress on school security.

The Bergen County native and current Middlesex County resident also served as commander of the state police’s administration branch, which oversees recruiting, personnel development and training strategy.

In her statement, Sherrill also thanked Sierotowicz, the agency’s outgoing commander, for his “unwavering dedication” to the state and his leadership during two historic winter storms that dumped feet of snow on the Garden State over the last month.

“We owe him a debt of gratitude,” she said.