NEW ROCHELLE, NY (June 23, 2025) — Neil Reynolds, a 31-year veteran of the New Rochelle Police Department, has been appointed as the city’s new police commissioner, city officials announced Monday. Reynolds, who has served as deputy commissioner since 2023, will be officially sworn in during the coming weeks.
“Commissioner Reynolds has proven himself as a steady, forward-thinking leader,” City Manager Wilfredo Melendez said. “He not only brings decades of experience, but a deep, earned understanding of New Rochelle – its people, its neighborhoods, and the evolving role of public safety in our community.”
Reynolds began his career with the NRPD in 1994 as a patrol officer, later serving as a P.A.C.T. officer, teaching D.A.R.E., and working as a bicycle officer. He advanced through roles including detective in the Property Theft Unit, sergeant and lieutenant in the Patrol Division, detective lieutenant in Internal Affairs, and captain before his promotion to deputy commissioner.
The appointment follows the retirement of Commissioner Robert Gazzola, who is concluding a nearly 40-year career with the department. Reynolds aims to build on Gazzola’s legacy while advancing community engagement, officer wellness, public safety technology, and the city’s Quality of Life Initiative.
“It’s the greatest honor of my career to lead the department I’ve served in for so long,” Reynolds said. “New Rochelle is my home, and I’ve dedicated myself to protecting and improving it for more than 30 years. We’ve made significant progress – strengthening trust, building partnerships, and embracing new approaches to public safety.”
Reynolds is actively involved in organizations such as the Westchester/Rockland Guardians Association, the Police Executive Research Forum, and the NAACP–New Rochelle Branch. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Iona College and a Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law, and is licensed to practice law in New York State and federally in the Southern District of New York. He graduated from Iona Prep in 1981 with this reporter.
“There is no one more prepared or ready to lead this department than Deputy Commissioner Reynolds,” Gazzola said. “He has earned the respect of officers at every rank, built trust within the community, and shown time and again that he leads with integrity, professionalism, and purpose.”
Reynolds’ career includes the Police Commissioner’s Award, three Class “C” citations, seven commendations, two Life Saving Awards, and the Problem Solver of the Year Award. He has also received public service awards from the NAACP, the Westchester/Rockland Guardians Association, and other organizations.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.
