JERSEY CITY, New Jersey — Jersey City Mayor James Solomon announced the selection of Travis Ragland as the next police chief and Jocelyn Roldan as acting director of the Department of Public Safety, according to the city’s November 10, 2026 release.
November 10, 2026 is the announcement date as well as the date on the city’s release—not an effective or swearing-in date. The announcement describes both leaders as incoming and does not specify when they will assume their new posts.
The city said current Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose is preparing to leave and will work with the incoming team to support the transition and continuity of service.
Traffic command and investigative experience
Ragland joined the Jersey City Police Department in 2005, according to the city. Most recently, he served as a police lieutenant and Traffic Unit Commander, leading sworn and civilian personnel and supporting the city’s Vision Zero traffic-safety initiative.
Earlier assignments included patrol, narcotics investigations and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit, the release says.
In his statement in the release, Ragland identified community trust, data- and intelligence-led policing, and support for officers as priorities for his tenure as chief.
“I believe leadership starts with setting the right example, even when no one is watching.” Ragland said in the release.
Acting director brings cross-division experience
Roldan joined the Police Department in 2009 and previously served as chief of staff to the public safety director, according to the city. In that role, she coordinated priorities across Police, Fire, Emergency Management, Quality of Life, Parking Enforcement and crossing guard operations.
Her earlier roles included Internal Affairs Commander, Executive Officer and Sergeant, with investigative oversight and coordination with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office and New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
Roldan’s statement emphasized resources and support for personnel, stronger accountability, operational improvements and responsiveness to the community.
The city described Roldan as becoming its first Latina woman to lead the Public Safety department and Ragland as becoming its first Black police chief in nearly 40 years. Those historical distinctions are the city’s characterization.
Source: City of Jersey City’s November 10 leadership announcement. The city links the announcement from its 2026 press-release index.
Archive photograph of Jersey City Hall, 4 April 2010; municipal context, not the appointments or a swearing-in ceremony. Photo: Jim.henderson / Wikimedia Commons. CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Cropped, resized and labeled by ThinBlueNews; no endorsement implied. Original photograph and provenance; CC0 dedication.
