New recruits complete six months of academy training as city officials and community leaders discuss the need for additional police presence.
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Atlantic City Police Department is welcoming 19 new officers following their graduation from the police academy, a development that comes amid renewed debate over police staffing and public safety in the resort.
The officers were among 72 recruits who graduated from Police Academy Class 32 on Thursday, October 22, after completing six months of training.
The department announced the graduates Tuesday, October 27, praising their dedication and preparation for careers in law enforcement.
"Congratulations to Class 32 and to the 19 graduates joining the Atlantic City Police Department. You have worked hard to earn this opportunity, and we are proud to welcome you to our ranks," Atlantic City Deputy Police Chief Andrew Leonard said.
"Wearing this badge means treating people with dignity, making sound decisions under pressure and earning the trust of our community through your actions every day. As you begin your careers, never lose sight of the people you serve or the responsibility you carry."
The graduation comes as Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson and other local officials have called for additional police officers in Atlantic City, even as the city's crime statistics have improved significantly.
During an October 26 appearance on Off The Press with Scott Cronick on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND, former Atlantic County Democratic Chairman Michael Suleiman supported calls for a larger police presence.
"We need more police officers in Atlantic City," Suleiman said.
Cronick questioned whether the city's greater challenge is public perception rather than actual crime levels, pointing to substantial reductions in shootings and other violent crime.
"Does Atlantic City need more cops, or does Atlantic City need a PR firm or a company to go and promote that Atlantic City is safe? I'll argue the latter," Cronick said.
Atlantic City's January 2026 State of the City presentation reported that overall crime declined 12.25% between 2022 and 2025, while shooting incidents dropped 50% from 2024 to 2025.
Those improvements have become central to the discussion over whether the city needs additional officers or should focus more attention on communicating its public safety progress.
The addition of 19 academy graduates represents a significant incoming class, although the police department did not specify how many officers have retired or left the force during the same period.
The department also did not provide an updated total of sworn officers or indicate when the graduates would begin independent patrol assignments.
The new officers are:
John Batty III
Richard Borsani
Nicholas Calambas
Jack Carson
Michael Costabile
Adonis Diaz
Eric Feroldi
Michael Fraser
Joshua Garcia
Xavier Hernandez
Shivanshu Khanna
Alexis Knox
Kunal Patil
Jaden Schlosser
William Stock Jr.
Kobe Street
Christopher Torres
Ryan Wilkins
Stephen Wilkins Jr.
The Atlantic City Police Department thanked academy instructors, law enforcement partners, families and supporters for helping the recruits complete their training.
The graduation provides additional personnel for a department responsible for policing a major tourism destination, where seasonal visitors and large events create demands beyond those associated with the city's year-round population.
Whether the 19 graduates result in a net increase in Atlantic City's police force will depend on staffing changes elsewhere in the department.
For now, the new officers enter service as Atlantic City continues to balance improving crime statistics with calls for a stronger police presence in neighborhoods and tourism areas.
