ATLANTIC CITY -- Former Deputy Chief Ernest Jubilee was sworn-in as Chief of the Atlantic City Police Department Friday afternoon.

The acting is over for Chief Ernest Jubilee, who served as the acting Chief of the Atlantic City Police Department since May of 2010, but was made the official Chief when he was sworn in by Mayor Lorenzo Langford at City Hall.

"This is a very important day for the Atlantic City Police Department and the city of Atlantic City. There is a consensus that says A.C. should be led by a chief and I am just happy we got an opportunity to make a selection & have some permacy in the chief of police" says Mayor Lorenzo Langford, Atlantic City.

"Of course it was a exciting day, but it has been a long time coming and I am happy to get past all of the delays so we can move forward as a department and city" says Chief Ernest Jubilee, Atlantic City Police Department.

Officials say the city has been waiting to take this step for several months, giving the entire police department a new identity.

"It clarifies that there is a chief, one chief in law enforcement in the city, that's what it means. In terms of command, policy and direction I think it is going to be helpful across the board" says Senator Jim Whelan.

"They need a leader, and they expect that leadership to come from the chief, and I am sure that in Chief Jubilee, that is exactly what they will get" says Mayor Langford.

And a city that has been no stranger to crime, now has a chief who is ready to hit the ground running and turn this year around, through the help of local residents.

"Were ready to get busy, as we have been. The collaboration with outside agencies, the assignment of permanent officers in permanent districts, putting supervisors in charge of specific areas. But we as police can't do it all, we need residents to call 9-1-1 and talk to us when a crime occurs" says Chief Jubilee.

"The citizens have to say to themselves that they have had enough, and Chief Jubilee is someone they can trust to speak with and get that info to" says Ted Housel, Atlantic County Prosecutor.

Jubilee began his career an Atlantic City Police Office in 1973. He was promoted to sergeant in 1988 and captain in 1997. In 2001, Jubilee became Deputy Police Chief. He has served as Acting Chief of Police since May 2010.