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Capt. Michael Antista is set to be sworn in at the Tuesday, Oct. 15 council meeting.
The previous chief was Chief Ken Zisa, who was charged with fraud official misconduct and then left.
Raymond Guidetti will remain the police director.
"I am excited and humbled to represent the hardworking men and women of the Hackensack police department," Antista said. "I am fully invested in providing excellent service to the community; while making sure our officers have the support and leadership they deserve."
A Hackensack High School graduate, Antista is finishing his degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He began his career in July 2005 having previously been an emergency dispatcher in Lodi.
Antista comes with 13 years of supervisory experience in patrol and investigations. He was promoted to sergeant in 2011, lieutenant in 2016, captain in 2021., and officer in charge in September 2022. He also held supervisory ranks as a patrol sergeant, tour commander, supervisor in the detective bureau, division commander in the narcotics bureau, and supervisor of all investigative services since 2022.
Antista is the recipient of several local state and federal commendations, including involvement in the investigation of a serial bank robber. As the commander of the narcotics bureau, the unit received the state narcotics unit of the year in 2021.
Antista is dedicated to serving the community through data-driven policing strategies and community engagement, having initiated community listening meetings and department contact cards for all officers.
His younger brother, Matthew, also serves on the police force. Antista has a wife, Claudine, and two daughters, ages 1 and 3.
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