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Governor Mikie Sherrill has nominated Jeanne Hengemuhle to serve as Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police (NJSP).
This is a significant appointment that, pending Senate confirmation, would make her the first woman to lead the agency. Reports also indicate she would be the first openly gay person in this role.
Hengemuhle assumed the position of Acting Superintendent on February 26, 2026. She succeeded Interim Superintendent Lt. Col. David Sierotowicz, who had been leading the agency on an interim basis following the retirement of longtime Superintendent Col. Pat Callahan.
Hengemuhle brings 26 years of dedicated service to the New Jersey State Police. She joined in 1997 and retired in 2024 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Her career reflects a steady progression through various leadership roles, emphasizing operational expertise, training, and community engagement.
Her father, Joseph F. Hengemuhle, was an FBI agent for 35 years in New York and Washington, specializing in counterintelligence and espionage—a family legacy of law enforcement service.
Key milestones in her professional background include:
- Serving as the agency’s Public Information Officer early in her career, managing communications during critical incidents.
- Acting as an Academy Instructor and later Academy Commandant, where she oversaw training programs and addressed graduating classes.
- Testifying before a U.S. House subcommittee on school security, advocating for stronger partnerships between law enforcement, schools, and communities to enhance safety through trust-building initiatives, anti-bullying programs, and active shooter preparedness.
- Holding positions in the Operations Branch and on the Executive Protection Detail.
- Most recently, serving as Branch Commander of the Administration Branch, overseeing recruiting efforts, personnel development, and statewide training strategy.
- Graduating from the FBI National Academy (254th session), a prestigious program for law enforcement leaders.
Hengemuhle is a Bergen County native (with roots in Washington Township and Westwood) and currently resides in Middlesex County.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and police science and a master’s degree in education from The College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State College).
She is also a member of the institution’s Athletic Hall of Fame, inducted in 2009 and recognized for her outstanding softball career.
The nomination has received broad support, with all three state police unions—the STFA, STNCOA, and STSOA—unanimously endorsing her confirmation.
Union leaders highlighted her dedication, compassion, and commitment to excellence. Governor Sherrill described Hengemuhle as a “dedicated public servant with decades of experience,” noting her deep understanding of the NJSP’s mission to protect communities.
This appointment comes at a time when the NJSP, which employs roughly 3,300 troopers, faces ongoing priorities around recruitment, public trust, and modern policing strategies. Among the early challenges Hengemuhle will confront is the status of Deputy Superintendent Sean Kilcomons, who has been accused of making anti-Semitic remarks, a controversy that has drawn public attention to the agency’s internal culture.
Hengemuhle’s extensive internal experience and post-retirement work as a law enforcement policy and procedures consultant position her to address these issues effectively.
