Police Relationships Manager

• Apr 2020 - Present

Retired - Chief of Police

• Feb 1995 - Mar 2020

Project Manager for Police Director Consent Decree Negotiation Team coordinatorUS Dept. of Justice - Violence Reduction Network coordinatorNewark Police Foundation liaisonSafer Newark Council board memberWhite House Police Data Initiative representativeNewark Youth Policy Board member Newark Violence Reduction Initiative coordinator Mayor's Promise Zone Team liaisonPublic Private Partnerships coordinatorSpecial Conditions Unit commanderNewark Community Street Team liaisonGreater Newark Youth Violence Consortium liaisonCall-Out Program for Youth liaisonHomelessness Coalition / Dept. of Health liaisonTransparency Project- In efforts to foster police data transparency and accountability, Roman applied to become a Code for America fellow to create Comport, an open data toolkit that lets public safety agencies quickly create an open data site by uploading existing internal affairs data and adding contextual information about policies and programs.On February 18, 2016, the Newark Police Department and the City of Newark was selected as a finalist to participate in the 2016 Code for America’s Community Police Relations Tool (Comport) Pilot. This opportunity will allow the NPD to provide accessibility to open data regarding complaints against personnel, use of force, and officer-involved shooting.

Deputy Chief of Police

• Jul 2014 - Nov 2014

As the Commander of the Special Enforcement and Investigations Bureau, Roman oversees criminal investigations in the Newark Police Department. In addition, the Bureau consists of Special Enforcement Units created to address violence in the City of Newark. The Special Enforcement and Investigations Bureau contains the Investigations Division and the Narcotics and Gangs Division. The Investigations Division is comprised of:Homicide Task ForceMajor Crimes SectionRapid Response Intelligence TeamFirearms Interdiction Team Criminal Intelligence SectionBallistics UnitRobbery SectionFugitive SectionSpecial Victims UnitAuto Squad Youth Aid SectionThe Narcotics and Gangs Division is comprised of:Narcotics UnitGang Unit Vice Unit Liaison Unit

Chief Of Police

• Mar 2014 - Jul 2014

As Chief of Police in the City of Newark, Roman was charged with managing the day to day operations of the police force.Upon appointment as Chief, Roman focused on collaboration to address violence in the City of Newark. Through support from Rutgers University and John Jay College, a series of meetings resulted in a reinvigorated partnership between the Newark Police Department and Newark Housing Authority, DEA, FBI, State Police, U.S. Attorney's Office, Essex County Prosecutor and Sheriff's Office, NJ Parole and Probation, YouthBuild, Essex County Family Courts, Newark Youth Policy Board and Independence Family Services. The project launched in the 4th Precinct on March 31, 2014. As of June 1, 2014 the designated grid experienced a 61% decrease in violence.During her tenure as Chief of Police, homicides were reduced by 35%.

Police Captain

• Jan 2012 - Mar 2014

Commander of the 2nd Precinct, January 2012-March 2014Operational control of a precinct encompassing 3 political wards. The 2nd Precinct was once staffed with 205 officers. Due to police lay-offs, attrition and transfers, the 2nd Precinct staffing was reduced to approximately 100 officers during 2012-2013. Through intelligence sharing, community and law enforcement partnerships and close monitoring of crime trends, the 2nd Precinct Command staff was able to reduce overall crime by a combined 13% for calendar years 2012 and 2013.

Lieutenant

• Apr 2005 - Jan 2012

Internal Affairs Investigator, April 2005-May 2007investigated complaints against Newark Police Department personnel. Internal Affairs Executive Officer, May 2007-September 2007assigned investigations and reviewed work submitted by Investigators Gang Unit Commander September, 2007- November 2010Overall management of the Gang Intelligence Unit and the Gang Suppression Unit.Received Unit of the Year Award from Director Garry McCarthyReceived Unit Award from the Hispanic Law Enforcement Society of Essex County Partnered with the Attorney General's Statewide Violent Crime Anti-Gang Initiative (2008)3rd Precinct Coordinator for Narcotics and Crime Suppression Units, November 2010-May 2011Responsible for the Narcotics Unit and the Crime Suppression UnitsInitiated a partnership with the Newark Downtown District for the development of public-private police community center in Downtown NewarkLieutenant, Director's Office, May 2011-January 2012Project Manager for the creation of the Community Resource Center; a Public/Private Partnership which provides community policing for the Newark Downtown area. The Community Resource Center is located at 189 Market Street. The CRC has led to a reduction in crime and quality of life concerns, and is credited with increased business development in Downtown Newark. Coordinator for the Super Summer Initiative. The multi-agency based Super Summer Initiative provided police presence in high-crime neighborhoods through walking and roving patrols. Clergy and Community Affairs officers provided service to at-risk youth in cooperation with local civic, social, and faith-based organizations. The Fire Department, Neighborhood Services, Department of Health and Family Well-being, State Police, Essex County Sheriff and Prosecutor's Office participated in the Super Summer Initiative, on a daily basis.

Sergeant

• Jan 2001 - Apr 2005

Police Officer

• Feb 1995 - Jan 2001

Patrol Officer- assigned to the South District of Newark, July 1995 - September 1997TARGET Team, September 1997-March 1999The Target Team was a task force created in response to the high number of vehicles reported stolen in the City of Newark. The team received national recognition for their success in reducing car thefts in Newark.NITRO, March 1999-November 1999Narcotics Interdiction to Reduce Open Air Drug Markets (NITRO) addressed open air-drug markets by targeting street dealers, and investigating citizen drug complaints.YVTF, November 1999-January 2001 The Youth Violence Task Force was created to address violence committed by and perpetrated against the City's youth. The task force worked in collaboration with the Essex County Youth House and Family Court to address violence impacting the children of Newark.

TED Talks Fellow

• Jan 2019 - Jan 2020

Selected as one of ten TED Talks Fellows for 2019

Journalism Internship

• Jun 2018 - Aug 2018

Criminal Justice Reform News PlatformInvestigative Journalism