Three Stockton University students have begun working as Class II police officers with the Atlantic City Police Department as part of an expansion of the university's Atlantic City Summer Experience program.

Hannah Ellicott, of Fredon, Ryan Rafter, of Kenilworth and Josh Llancari, of Wildwood, started their new roles July 1 after completing a nine-week training program at the Cape May County Police Academy. The students will patrol Atlantic City's Tourism District while gaining hands-on law enforcement experience.

The positions are part of Stockton's Live-Work-Learn Program, which provides students with summer employment, housing and career readiness training through partnerships with local employers. Since launching five years ago, the program has worked with 24 employers, provided jobs to more than 1,000 students and generated $2 million in housing revenue for the university. About 30% of participants have secured continued employment with partner organizations.

Atlantic City Police Chief James Sarkos said the partnership gives students an opportunity to gain real policing experience while living in the city and could help recruit future full-time officers.

"We wanted to offer an opportunity where Stockton students can stay in Atlantic City... and get real policing experience," Sarkos said. "Most of our full-time officers start as Class IIs."

University officials said they hope to expand the program in the future and expose more students to careers in law enforcement.