City of Newburgh names Lt. Brandon Rola as new police chief

CITY OF NEWBURGH - City Manager Todd Venning announced the appointment of Lt. Brandon Rola as the city's new police chief on Friday.

Rola will replace Anthony Geraci, who was named as director of safety and security for the Newburgh school district last week.

Rola began his policing career with the department in 2008, after graduating from Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh with a bachelor of science in business administration and management degree.

He was promoted to the rank of patrol sergeant in 2016 and lieutenant in 2020, and since then has served as the department's operations commander.

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Venning said Rola was credited with finding and rescuing two young boys who were trapped for hours under a snow embankment, and in 2022 he rescued a drowning man in Downing Park.

He also pursued training and leadership opportunities, becoming an instructor at the Orange County Police Academy early in his career, and eventually becoming a certified instructor with the state's Department of Criminal Justice Services.

"City residents can take immense pride that their police department has developed an exceptional homegrown leader to become their chief of police," Venning said in a statement released by his office.

Police Commissioner Jose Gomerez added Rola has distinguished himself by "always going above and beyond with unmatched professionalism."

"His mentorship of our recruits and new officers has built a strong positive culture within the City of Newburgh Police Department," Gomerez said.

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While Rola officially took command of the department on Friday, Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey will administer the oath of office to him at the May 13 City Council meeting.

"Chief Rola's promotion to chief of police is a strong testament to the city's ability to promote from within," Harvey said in a statement.

Mike Randall covers breaking news for the Times Herald-Record and the Poughkeepsie Journal. Reach him at mrandall@th-record.com.

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Lt. Brandon Rola appointed police chief for City of Newburgh