ATLANTIC CITY — Atlantic County sheriff candidate Sean Riggin says retired Atlantic City Police Deputy Chief Bridget Pierce will join his administration if he defeats incumbent Sheriff Joe O’Donoghue in November.
Riggin, the Democratic challenger and Atlantic City’s public safety director, made the announcement during an appearance on Off The Press with Scott Cronick on WOND.
“We’ll be bringing Deputy Chief Bridget Pierce to the sheriff’s office if we win,” Riggin said. “And I think that’s a huge get for us.”
Pierce recently retired after a lengthy career with the Atlantic City Police Department. Riggin said her experience managing a large law enforcement agency through significant changes would make her a key part of his proposed administration.
“Her support is absolutely critical to the success of this operation,” Riggin said. “We’re talking about somebody that’s got decades of experience here in Atlantic City, has the relationships, has the know-how.”
Riggin credited Pierce with playing an important role as the Atlantic City Police Department navigated years of staffing and organizational changes.
He said the department at different points went from approximately 450 officers to 252 before rebuilding to about 328.
“She’s been making things work in a department that went from 450 people to 252 people and then back up to 328,” Riggin said, while also crediting the police chiefs under whom Pierce served.
“When you get a skill set like that, I think what you’re bringing to the table is a real game changer,” he said.
Riggin highlights bipartisan element
Riggin also pointed to a potentially noteworthy political aspect of Pierce joining his team: He said Pierce is a registered Republican.
Riggin is running as a Democrat.
“I’m honored to have that on the team as well,” Riggin said. “It’s absolutely critical that we bring all of these people to the table.”
Riggin said many of the changes he wants to make at the Sheriff’s Office would require coordination among police chiefs, municipalities, attorneys and other government officials.
“These ideas are tricky. These procedures are complicated,” he said. “It involves a ton of coordination across multiple communities, multiple chiefs of police.”
Riggin said assembling experienced people before the election is part of his effort to be prepared to immediately begin implementing his agenda if voters elect him.
“Obviously the election is a heavy lift,” Riggin said. “But I think knowing that we’ve got her in position, I think really gives me a lot more confidence that we’ll be able to hit the ground running.”
Riggin said he has been asking himself throughout the campaign whether his team would be prepared to begin working immediately if elected.
“At this point I’m now confident to say yes,” he said.
Cronick jokingly described Pierce as something resembling Riggin’s “vice presidential candidate.”
Riggin said Pierce had retired and taken a short break before he approached her.
“As soon as she took a little time off, I said, ‘Hey, I got a job for you,’” Riggin said. “And then I begged her for a little while to agree to come do this.”
“She has done that,” he added.
Riggin is challenging O’Donoghue in the Nov. 3 general election.
Cronick said during the program that O’Donoghue would also be invited onto Off The Press for an upcoming interview.
About the Author
Peter Killeen
A 25-year radio news veteran, Peter covers South Jersey for NewsTalk 1400 & 92.3 WOND radio. Known for his concise and impactful delivery, he ensures listeners and readers stay informed without unnecessary filler.
