Margate Police Chief Matthew R. Hankinson takes the oath of office administered by Margate Commissioner John Amodeo, while his mother Elaine Hankinson holds the Bible.
MARGATE – The Board of Commissioners officially swore-in lifelong resident Matthew R. Hankinson as chief of Margate Police Department Thursday, July 18 at Historic City Hall. Hankinson, who was born and raised in Margate, replaced David Wolfson upon his retirement July 1. Friends, family, Wolfson, Police Chiefs Doug Biagi of Ventnor and Frank Culmone of Longport, and members of Margate Police and Fire departments attended the event.
Hankinson said he made a lot of sacrifices during his career and hopes to continue to serve the citizens and the department for as long as possible. Looking around the room, he thanked friends and family for celebrating the milestone with him.
“The men and women of the Police Department, I can’t say enough. It’s because of you I am standing here,” he said. “You know I am always here for you.”
Commissioner of Public Safety and Community Affairs John Amodeo administered the oath of office, while Hankinson’s mother Elaine held the Bible, noting it was a great day for Margate and the Police Department.
Hankinson grew up on Quincy Avenue and attended the Margate schools. He graduated from Atlantic City High School 1989, obtained a bachelor’s degree in public administration in 1993, and started his law enforcement career as an Atlantic County corrections officer in 1995. He was hired by the Margate Police Department in 1998.
Hankinson quickly rose through the ranks of the department and was promoted to sergeant in 2002, lieutenant in 2011, operations manager in 2015 and captain in 2016.
Amodeo said he remembers interviewing Hankinson when he was up for the promotion to captain, and asking, “Where do you see Margate in the future and where would you like to be?”
At that time, Hankinson said he would someday like to be chief of the police department in his hometown.
“To have a homegrown kid come up through the ranks and to become chief is a great accomplishment,” Amodeo said.
During his tenure, Hankinson has served as traffic safety supervisor, internal affairs investigator, field training supervisor and administrator. Hankinson also served as the city’s liaison during the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s sand dune building project.
“He knows Margate inside and out and we are proud of the work you’ve done so far,” Amodeo said.
