James Sarkos was sworn in as Atlantic City’s police chief more than two years after taking the reins from the former chief.
“The administration is fully behind Chief Sarkos,” Mayor Marty Small said. “The work that he has shown over the years proves that he is the right person for the job. We believe in him, we support him, and we will continue to assist and provide him with the tools needed to succeed.”
Sarkos first took control of the department as officer in charge following the October 2020 retirement of Henry White.
But even before that, Sarkos was a leader in several initiatives, including helping build the Surveillance Center, known as ACHILES, or Atlantic City Headquarters for Intelligence Logistics and Electronic Surveillance.
He was also crucial in the Boardwalk camera project, risk-terrain modeling, Project PACT (Protecting Atlantic City Together), Project Medicine Drop and RAPID, the electronic system that helps track stolen items that may wind up in pawn shops.
Sarkos began his law enforcement career in 1995, as a Class I Special Law Enforcement Officer in Ventnor. The next three summers he worked as a Wildwood Class II officer
He joined the Atlantic City Police Department in 2000, and became a sergeant six years later. In 2011, he was promoted to lieutenant. When he became a captain in 2016, he had the highest score on the text in the state.
He served as deputy chief since 2018.
He has supervised patrol, criminal investigations and vice, and led the SWAT team.
“I am proud of what we have accomplished at the Atlantic City Police Department in the two years that I have served as Interim officer in charge and acting chief,” Sarkos said. “I am particularly proud of serving the community in various ways over and beyond traditional policing activities. I look forward to continuing to serve the residents and visitors of this great city.
“It remains my honor to lead the dedicated and courageous Officers of the Atlantic City Police Department,” he added.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito administered the oath of office via video that was cast to the Adrian Phillips Ballroom inside James Whelan Boardwalk Hall.
Sarkos holds an associate degree in criminal justice from Atlantic Cape Community College, a bachelors in criminal justice from Stockton University and a masters degree from Seton Hall University Police Graduates Studies Program in Human Resources Training and Development.
He is also a graduate of the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police West Point Command and Leadership Program and the Rutgers University/NJ Civil Service Commission Certified Public Manager Program.
Sarkos was one of the founding members of the Atlantic City Police Foundation, a nonprofit that helps pay for equipment for police that city funds do not.
He is a member of the Atlantic City Planning Board, the Board of Trustees of the Coalition for a Safe Community, and on the advisory boards of Jewish Family Services, Stockton University Masters in Criminal Justice program and Atlantic Cape Community College Criminal Justice program.
Sarkos, who is one of two deputy chiefs in the department, started his law e.
He has also led the city’s SWAT team.
