Atlantic City Police Chief James Sarkos started his law enforcement career in Ventnor.
ATLANTIC CITY - James A. Sarkos was sworn in Thursday morning as chief of The Atlantic City Police Department. The ceremony was held at the Adrian Phillips Ballroom inside Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito administered the oath of office.
Sarkos has led the ACPD since Oct. 1, 2020 following the retirement of Chief Henry White. Sarkos started his law enforcement career in 1995 as a Special Law Enforcement Officer Class I for the Ventnor City Police Department.
He also worked as a Special Law Enforcement Officer Class II for the Wildwood Police Department during the summers of 1996-1999. He was hired as a full-time police officer for the Linwood Police Department in October 1999. In October 2000, he started his career with the Atlantic City Police Department. Sarkos was promoted to sergeant in 2006, lieutenant in 2011, captain in 2016 and deputy chief in 2018.
An innovative leader who believes data and technology can positively impact policing, Sarkos was the project manager for several ACPD initiatives including the Boardwalk camera project and the Surveillance Center/Emergency Operations Center, also known as ACHILES (Atlantic City Headquarters for Intelligence Logistics and Electronic Surveillance), Project PACT (Protecting Atlantic City Together) camera sharing initiative, RTM (Risk Terrain Modeling), Project Medicine Drop and RAPID electronic pawn system.
Sarkos holds an associate's degree in Criminal Justice from Atlantic Cape Community College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Stockton University, and a master's 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 is a founding member of the Atlantic City Police Foundation and currently serves as vice chairman. 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.
He has lectured on a number of policing topics and is the recipient of a number of awards relating to his profession.
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 in a statement. 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."
"The administration is fully behind Chief Sarkos. 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," Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. said.
