ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Lt. James Tracy, a 24-year veteran of the Police Department, has been appointed acting chief and officer in charge.
The mayor and council unanimously approved the appointment at its May meeting. It became effective May 23 following the departure of Chief William Henkelman, who had been on leave and retired from the department.
Tracy serves as the Police Department’s training coordinator and as the borough’s emergency management coordinator. Before joining the department, he was chief paramedic at Pascack Valley Hospital.
As acting chief, Tracy said he plans to build on the department’s existing foundation while continuing modernization efforts and developing leadership throughout the agency.
“A one-team mentality serves both the community and our co-workers, while helping us identify service needs and operate more efficiently,” Tracy said.
Mayor Mark Park praised Tracy’s leadership, professionalism and dedication to public service, citing his work during major emergencies, including last year’s wildfire along the Palisades.
Councilwoman Rivka Biegacz, chair of the council’s Public Safety Committee, also noted Tracy’s success in securing emergency-management grants and reimbursements and expressed confidence in his ability to strengthen departmental operations.
“Lieutenant Tracy has consistently demonstrated the professionalism, integrity and commitment to service that our residents expect from their police department,” Borough Administrator Intashan Chowdhury said. “His extensive experience in law enforcement and emergency management, combined with his collaborative leadership style, make him exceptionally well-qualified to guide the department forward during this transition.”
The borough said Tracy is believed to be among the first openly gay law-enforcement leaders appointed to head the Englewood Cliffs department.
In 2018, Tracy received national attention for developing a bias and diversity training program that subsequently became mandatory for police officers throughout New Jersey. His work was featured by NBC and other national television outlets.
Tracy also serves as chairman of the Planning Board and is a member of his hometown’s Democratic County Committee.
Councilman Tim Koutroubas, a member of the Public Safety Committee, said the appointment reflected the council’s emphasis on experience and public service.
“The council’s decision reflects our continued emphasis on experience, professionalism and public service above politics or personal background,” Koutroubas said. “We will always do what is right by our residents, not what is politically easy for us.”