2016 Newark NAACP Excellence in Leadership Award DARNELL HENRY, NEWARK CHIEF OF POLICE
Darnell Henry was born March 1969 in the city of Newark. He was raised in the Central Ward by his mother, Vivian Henry, and his grandmother with the help of loving aunts and uncles. From an early age, Mr. Henry knew he wanted to be a police officer but not just any police officer. Darnell Henry dreamed of becoming a Newark Police Officer. Chief Henry graduated from Newark Technical High School and soon began to follow his dreams. He began his law enforcement career when he proudly graduated with the Newark Police Academy’s 101st Recruit Class in May 1994. From the beginning of his career with the Newark Police Department, the then Officer Henry worked his way up through the ranks. It was not long before he began to distinguish himself. His outstanding attention to detail, unyielding follow up and impeccable work ethic made him a natural choice to be appointed to the 2nd Precinct Detective Squad in 1998 after only four short years into his career. Shortly after being assigned to the 2nd Detective Squad, Detective Henry’s prowess was again recognized and he was assigned to the dangerous Robbery/homicide Unit, a detail in which only the best criminal investigators excel. In 2002, he was promoted to Sergeant to lead this same prestigious unit. During his tenure as a Detective Sergeant in the Robbery /Homicide Unit, he and his detectives were responsible for bringing many of the city’s most violent criminals to justice. Detective Sergeant Henry and his squad received multiple accolades for the arrests of several suspects responsible for the heinous “Mount Vernon School Yard killings.” As a result, in 2007, Detective Sergeant Henry was chosen to supervise the newly re-established Essex County Cold Case Unit. He and his detectives have successfully closed out numerous Cold Case Homicides and brought closure for countless families. Detective Sergeant Henry’s reputation as an exemplary Law Enforcement Officer preceded him when he was tapped to lead the Newark Police Executive Protection Unit in July 2014. There, he was responsible for coordinating and managing the safety and well- being of the Newark Mayor, other elected officials and dignitaries. Today, Darnell Henry enters the role in which he has been preparing for his entire life and career- Newark Police Chief. Chief Henry is a hard worker who demonstrates fairness, courtesy, humility and who is well regarded in the community. He is a family man, husband and father. He is an exemplary career police officer. His goal as Police Chief is to help the Newark Police Division and the City of Newark strengthen a partnership with the citizens of Newark to make it a model for all cities across the country.