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The New Rochelle Police Department is turning to a familiar face to step into the shoes of longtime Police Commissioner Patrick Carroll, tapping one of their own to lead the force moving forward following the retirement of Carroll late last year.
New Rochelle City Manager Chuck Strome announced the appointment of Joseph Schaller as Police Commissioner on Friday, while Capt. Robert Gazzola will step into his new role as Deputy Commissioner following a swearing-in ceremony at City Hall.
“A national search attracted a number of qualified applicants, including members of our own department,” Strome stated. “After an extensive interview process, we were pleased to find that the most suitable candidates were within our ranks.”
Gazzola has been at the head of the Criminal Investigations Division since December 2015, while Schaller is the department’s longest-tenured member, having served for 43 years and nine months after being appointed in August 1974. Schaller is a former captain who was admitted into the New York State Bar in 2006.
“Since our transition late last year, Schaller and Gazzola have demonstrated their ability to lead the department both now and into the future. The New Rochelle Police Department continues to be one of the best departments not only in the State of New York but in the entire nation. I am confident that these promotions will enable the department to continue and grow in excellence.”
Schaller praised his former commissioner and said he is “(looking) forward to the challenge of leading the department” and moving forward in New Rochelle.
“Over the past two decades, my predecessor, Police Commissioner Carroll, molded the New Rochelle Police Department into a progressive and professional organization dedicated to serving our community,” he said. “I am grateful to our City management for allowing me the opportunity to continue these efforts and look forward to the challenge of leading the department forward into the next chapter of its development.”
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