NEW ROCHELLE, NY — City Manager Charles B. Strome announced today the appointment of Joseph F. Schaller as New Rochelle Police Commissioner, and the promotion of Captain Robert Gazzola to Deputy Commissioner. The commissioners were sworn in at a ceremony at City Hall on Friday morning.
“A national search attracted a number of qualified applicants, including members of our own department,” said City Manager Strome. “After an extensive interview process, we were pleased to find that the most suitable candidates were within our ranks.”
Strome appointed Schaller as Interim Police Commissioner upon the retirement of longtime commissioner Patrick Carroll in December 2017. Captain Gazzola has served as head of the Criminal Investigations Division since December 2015. “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.”
“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,” said Commissioner Schaller. “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.”
Strome offered special thanks to the members of the Citizens Advisory Panel, who along with senior staff assisted in the review process: Gustavo Barbosa, Aaron Fleishaker, Monsignor Dennis Keane, Cathryn Lavery, Reverend Michelle, Lewis Bishop, Derek Pierson, Domenic Procopio, Ms. Michele Rodney.
Commissioner Joseph F. Schaller
Commissioner Joseph F. Schaller was appointed to the Department in August 1974. He was promoted to Sergeant in September 1979. In 1981 he graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy. Deputy Commissioner Schaller was promoted to Lieutenant in August 1982 and In May 1988 he was promoted to Captain. As Captain, he was the Commanding Officer of the Staff Services Division, the Police Services Division and the Criminal Investigations Division. In December of 2015 he was appointed Deputy Police Commissioner. He is the recipient of the Police Commissioners Award, two Class C Citations, Three Special Incident Citations and a Six Year Perfect Attendance Award. Commissioner Schaller earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Political Science from Fordham University, a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Iona College and a Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law in 2005. He was admitted in the NYS Bar in 2006. Commissioner Schaller holds the distinction of having served longer than any member in the history of the Department, 43 years and 9 months.
Deputy Police Commissioner Robert Gazzola
Deputy Police Commissioner Robert Gazzola was appointed to the Department in February 1986. He was promoted to Sergeant in September 1993, and promoted to Lieutenant in June 1996. In February of 2002 he was promoted to Captain, and assumed the duties of Commanding Officer of the Police Services Division. In December 2015 he was assigned as Commanding Officer of the Criminal Investigations Division. Deputy Commissioner Gazzola is the recipient of the Police Commissioners Award, 4 Class C Citations, 8 Commendation Awards and a Special Incident Citation. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Iona College and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Marist College. He is also a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute of Police administered by Harvard University’s John F Kennedy School of Government