Wayne Names McNiff Acting Police Chief – Wayne, NJ Patch

WAYNE, NJ – Following the retirement of Wayne Police Chief James Clarke earlier this month, township officials appointed Jack McNiff as Acting Chief, according to the department.

In a post on the department’s Facebook page on Friday, McNiff, who was previously the Deputy Chief, thanked Mayor Christopher Vergano, the township council and the township’s business administrator, Neal Bellet, “for their continued support of the Wayne Police Department.”

Clarke retired on Sept. 13 after more than 38 years with the force.

McNiff’s career in law enforcement began two decades ago in Essex County, where he worked as a police officer in West Caldwell and Montclair.

In 2001, he was hired at Wayne Police Department as a patrol officer. In 2005 he became a detective and student resource officer at Anthony Wayne Middle School. McNiff was promoted to patrol sergeant in 2010, lieutenant in 2014 and captain in 2017. In June 2019, he was named deputy chief.

His experience includes juvenile, narcotic and criminal investigative work, task force operations and serving as a D.A.R.E. instructor. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Caldwell College and recently graduated from the FBI’s National Academy. McNiff, his wife and their three children reside in the township.