Sheriff Armando Fontoura

Biography

A career law enforcement officer, Fontoura was appointed Sheriff in 1990, elected in 1991 and re-elected in 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015. He is the longest tenured Sheriff in Essex County history.

Sheriff Fontoura is a graduate of the F. B. I.’s National Academy and the F. B. I.’s National Executive Institute. He is the past president of the Police Management Association and is an active member in the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Sheriff’s Association.

Prior to his election as Sheriff, Armando Fontoura rose through the ranks of the Newark Police Department. In a police career that began in 1967, Fontoura earned the rank of Captain and served as Chief Assistant to the Police Director. As Chief Assistant, he helped formulate policy, issued daily directives and was responsible for the Office of Public Information.