Newark to hire attorney to oversee police internal affairs

Newark's mayor says the city will bring in an attorney to run its police internal affairs unit.

The move announced Monday is the city's latest step in reorganizing its public safety agencies. Officials say the move will increase civilian oversight over department discipline.

Mayor Ras Baraka said the post could be filled as early as this week.

Police Chief Anthony Campos told NJ.com that while the attorney's duties would be primarily in-house, their presence in the department had the potential to aid officers' efforts on the street.

Campos also said he would be retiring, though a specific departure date has not been set.

Baraka's announcement comes about two weeks after he said Newark's police, fire, emergency management and homeland security departments will be combined under the Department of Public Safety.

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