Frank X. Balles

BIOGRAPHY

-Born and raised in Atlantic County, Frank X. Balles has spent more than 32 years of his life in law enforcement protecting our local community. Frank served more than two decades as a police officer in Pleasantville, advancing through the ranks to Administrative Captain. In 2008, during his first bid for public office, Balles decisively defeated a fifteen-year incumbent and was elected Atlantic County Sheriff. Twice re-elected, Frank returned to his position as Captain with the Pleasantville Police Department on August 1, 2017 where he officially retired on December 1, 2018. Frank subsequently decided to serve his municipality and in 2019 was sworn-in as an Egg Harbor Township (EHT) Committeeman until October 2020 when he was elected to fill the Freeholder-at- Large seat vacated by Frank D. Formica.

-Beginning his career as an Auxiliary Police Officer, Frank has a passion for volunteerism. He began Explorer Post #29 shortly after his election, which enables youth throughout the county to learn about the benefits of a career in law enforcement as well as a variety of public safety careers.

-The transformation of the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office did not go unnoticed and Frank’s fellow sheriffs elected him as the President of the Sheriff’s Association of New Jersey in 2011. In addition, Frank’s efforts have been recognized with numerous awards from the City of Pleasantville, Mainland PBA, NAACP, The Women’s Center, Family Services Association, Jersey Shore Council of Boy Scouts, Crime Stoppers of Atlantic County and the Coalition for a Safe Community. In 2013, Frank became the first and only officer from Atlantic County selected as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the American Legion of New Jersey Department.

-As Sheriff, Frank reenergized the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office. When some said it could not be done Frank worked with local officials, Republicans and Democrats to reestablish the Office’s K-9 unit as well as regular patrols of Atlantic County’s more rural municipalities. In addition, Frank has also worked with local police chiefs to transport prisoners to the Atlantic County Justice Facility. Frank is a proponent of community policing and began the first countywide Community Policing Unit. He led the agency with pride and passion knowing they were doing more with less.

-Frank currently serves on the Executive Board of Avanzar (formally the Women’s Center), Crime Stoppers of Atlantic County, President of the April Christine Memorial Scholarship and is currently the President of the Pleasantville Police Foundation. Frank has served on many other boards previously including EHT Zoning Board and has served as a youth coach. During his distinguished law enforcement career, he has completed the FBI National Academy, the National Sheriffs Institute, the West Point Command and Leadership Program and more than 35 law enforcement related schools and seminars. As an instructor at the Atlantic County Police Academy, Frank has used his knowledge and experience to train the next generation of law enforcement professionals. Respected by his peers, Frank is the former Commander of both the Atlantic County and Pleasantville Emergency Response Teams.

-Frank will bring fresh ideas to the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders with his experience both municipal and county budgets, staffing, contract negotiations and management. Frank will serve 15 months of the unexpired term and run for re-election in 2021.

-Frank resides in Egg Harbor Township with his wife Cyndi. He is the father of two children, Michael and Kerri and three grandchildren