Atlantic County swears in first female police chief

GALLOWAY TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- For the first time, a woman now leads a police department in Atlantic County.

A ceremonial swearing in took place for Chief Donna Higbee Tuesday night.

She was officially sworn in as Galloway Township's police chief last week.

Higbee knows Galloway Township well.

She was born and raised there and has worked with its police department for 13 years.

"I'm just really excited. I can't wait to get to work to do some more stuff with the community. To lead the men and women that work for this police department is the greatest honor," Higbee said.

Chief Higbee isn't the first in her family to pursue a career in law enforcement.

Her father John Higbee served the Galloway Township police department for 27 years before retiring in 1999.