The Chief of Police is the ranking officer of the department and has authority over all police personnel, functions and operations. The Chief exercises all lawful powers of his office and issues such orders, directives, policies and procedures as may be necessary to ensure the efficient and effective performance of the Department. The Chief of the Pompton Lakes Police Department is Derek Clark who is a 20 year law enforcement veteran, who began his career in 2001.

After joining the Pompton Lakes Police Department and graduating basic training, Chief Clark was assigned to the Patrol Division as a patrolman.  He was later promoted to sergeant and assigned to the Patrol Division in 2009 as a Patrol squad supervisor. Chief Clark was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2013 and was assigned as the Operations Lieutenant in command of the Patrol Division. In 2017 he was promoted to Captain and oversaw the Department’s Communications Division. In November 2019  Chief Clark assumed the duties of Chief of Police.

Chief Clark was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice from William Paterson.

Chief Clark served in the United States Army 812th Military Police Company and attained the rank of Sergent. Chief Clark is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.