Left to right: Sheriff Amir D. Jones, Chief Zipporah Thomas Jenkins with her daughters and husband, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens II, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., at St. Lucy’s Church in Newark. – Photo Courtesy Essex County Sheriff’s Office
History was made on the morning of Sept. 10 as Amir D. Jones swore in a new class of leaders at the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, including Sergeants Garrett Barbalinardo and Hugo Torres, Lieutenants Christopher Bozios Jr. and Ryan Peter, Captain Cecil Barker, and Chief Zipporah Thomas Jenkins – who became the first African American and first woman to hold the Chief’s role in the Office’s history.
The ceremony was attended by county and community leaders including Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., Theodore Stephens II, Andre Speight of Newark, who offered a blessing over the program, and members of the Essex County Board of Commissioners.
“I’m so proud of this promotion class,” said Sheriff Amir D. Jones, Essex County’s first African American Sheriff. “It reflects the excellence and dedication of our Office. Every stripe, every star, and every badge is earned – never given. Together, we honored the service of our promotees and ushered in a new chapter for the Essex County Sheriff’s Office.”
He added: “I am deeply honored to recognize each and every person who was promoted. My hope is that our department continues to grow, and that through promotions – especially historic ones like Chief Thomas Jenkins’ – women in law enforcement can see that if she can do it, so can they.”
This milestone ceremony reflects Sheriff Jones’ commitment to building a culture of accountability, service, and leadership that continues to move the Essex County Sheriff’s Office forward.
