Atlantic City's police have new leadership for now.
Deputy Chief James Sarkos was named officer in charge after Chief Henry White officially retired Thursday.
White served 35 years with the department.
He became chief in 2013, when he made the focus of his tenure working to improve the relationship between police and the public.
The department saw a significant decrease in Internal Affairs complaints as a result.
"Atlantic City is losing a police chief of incredible expertise and conviction during a year unlike any other in the history of our state and nation," Mayor Marty Small Sr. said.
White often looked to Sarkos in implementing advances in the department, including Surveillance Center that keeps an eye on the city and is manned mostly by retired officers.
"Chief White and I have worked closely during his tenure and I am eager to continue and expand upon those initiatives," Sarkos said.
"It is truly a testament to the strength of the Atlantic City Police Department that we have a talented deputy chief who can step up to lead the city's police officers as officer in charge," Small said of Sarkos. "We look forward to Deputy Chief Sarkos' steady leadership during these extraordinary times and we thank him for stepping into this role as we work to select a new police chief."
While Sarkos is not the acting chief, he will be responsible for maintaining stability of the department and carrying out administrative, supervisory, managerial and professional work while the search is conducted for a new chief.
"I am grateful for the confidence placed in me by city and state leadership," said Sarkos, a 20-year veteran of the department who has led the Vice Unit and SWAT team. "I look forward to working with Atlantic City residents, the business community and government leaders as we continue to move Atlantic City forward. It is my honor to lead the department's extraordinary men and women in this remarkable city."
