Robert Cekada
Robert Cekada has devoted his career to public service and frontline law enforcement, serving communities at the local and federal levels for more than three decades. He was sworn in as the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on April 30, 2026. He leads the men and women of ATF in enforcing laws related to firearms, explosives, arson, and alcohol and tobacco trafficking. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Cekada served as the Deputy Director since April 2025.
Mr. Cekada began his law enforcement career with the New York City Police Department, serving in anti-gang, street crime, and organized crime assignments. He later continued his public service with the City of Plantation Police Department in Broward County, Florida, serving in patrol operations and on the SWAT Team.
In 2005, Mr. Cekada joined ATF as a special agent serving in field and headquarters assignments, where he investigated violent crime, firearms trafficking, arson and explosives crimes. He later served at ATF Headquarters as a project officer and program manager in the Firearms Operations Division, helping develop ATF’s Frontline Strategy.
Mr. Cekada was selected as a special assistant to senior leadership, gaining in-depth knowledge of the agency and its operations. He was later named Resident Agent in Charge of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force in the Miami Field Division and promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia Field Division. As a member of the Senior Executive Service, he served as the Special Agent in Charge of the Baltimore and Miami Field Divisions, overseeing ATF operations across multiple states and U.S. territories.
Mr. Cekada later returned to ATF Headquarters as Deputy Assistant Director for Field Operations, overseeing criminal enforcement across 19 states. In September 2022, he was appointed Executive Assistant Director for Operations, overseeing three of ATF’s Directorates.
Mr. Cekada serves as a member of the National Crime Gun Intelligence Governing Board and the International Association of Chiefs of Police Firearms Committee. He has been active in numerous law enforcement and public safety leadership organizations throughout his career.
