Sean Riggin is a lifelong public safety professional with over 30 years of experience as a soldier, police officer, police chief, and public safety executive. He currently serves as Director of Public Safety for the City of Atlantic City, providing executive leadership for the Police and Fire Departments, Emergency Management, Emergency Communications, and the Atlantic City Beach Patrol.

Sean began his service in the United States Army, deploying to Sarajevo, Bosnia under Operation Joint Endeavor in 1996 as a civil affairs specialist. Upon return, he worked as a corrections officer and drill instructor at the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

He joined the Pleasantville Police Department and rose through the ranks to become Chief of Police in 2015, serving in that role until 2021. As Chief, Sean focused on professional leadership, community trust, and officer wellness. He founded Pleasantville’s Police Community Advisory Board and the Pleasantville Police Foundation. During this time, he also served as President of the Atlantic County Association of Chiefs of Police, helping coordinate countywide leadership during COVID and national unrest.

Sean has extensive experience working across agencies and jurisdictions, coordinating with local police departments and county, state, and federal partners on crime reduction, emergency operations, and large scale special events. He has been recognized with service awards from numerous Atlantic County community organizations including the PBA, the Fellowship of Churches, Crimestoppers, the NAACP, and The American Legion.

In addition to his municipal leadership, Sean has worked as a consultant and small business owner and has served as an international policing instructor for the United States Department of Justice. He holds a master’s degree in Disaster Science from the University of Delaware.

Outside of his professional work, Sean served for many years as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader, mentoring a group of young men from childhood through college and leading more than 100 camping trips. He is also a volunteer leader with Team Rubicon and has deployed nationwide in disaster response leadership roles.

Sean continues to be an avid backpacker, a reader, and a truly terrible golfer. He lives in Mays Landing with Larissa, his wife of 26 years. They are proud parents of two college-age children.

Sean’s approach to leadership is grounded in simple values: service over status, integrity over politics, and leaving institutions stronger than he found them. Sean is running for Atlantic County Sheriff in 2026 to provide professional leadership that strengthens countywide law enforcement and delivers reliable public safety for Atlantic County residents.