City's First African American Top Cop Has Storied Career With The Department

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The city has tapped a familiar face with a long and storied career with the New Rochelle Police Department to take the the helm.

Neil Reynolds, a veteran of the NRPD and the current deputy police commissioner, has been appointed as New Rochelle's new police commissioner. He will be officially sworn in at some point during the next few 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. Residents, officers, and community leaders alike know who he is, how he leads, and what he stands for. We are committed to building on that momentum to ensure the progress we’ve made continues to accelerate."

Reynolds joined the NRPD in 1994 as a patrol Officer. He then became a P.A.C.T (Police and Community Together) officer, where he taught D.A.R.E., and was a bicycle officer. He served as a detective in the Property Theft Unit, sergeant and lieutenant in the Patrol Division, detective lieutenant in Internal Affairs, and as a captain, before his promotion to deputy commissioner in 2023.

"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. Now, it's about deepening those efforts and ensuring every resident feels safe, respected, and heard. I’m ready to lead us into the next chapter with purpose, transparency, and a deep commitment to all the people of this city and its police officers."

Reynolds' appointment follows the retirement announcement of Commissioner Robert Gazzola, who concludes a nearly 40-year career with the department.

"There is no one more prepared or ready to lead this department than Deputy Commissioner Reynolds," Gazzola said of his successor. "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. I leave this role with total confidence, knowing the department is in the hands of someone who understands both where we’ve been and where we need to go."

Reynolds is actively involved in law enforcement and civic organizations, including the Westchester/Rockland Guardians Association, the Police Executive Research Forum, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, NACOLE, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and NAACP–New Rochelle Branch..

Reynolds holds a Bachelor's degree from Iona College and a law degree from Pace University. He is licensed to practice law in New York State, and federally in the Southern District of New York.

In his decades-long career, he has earned 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 been recognized with public service awards from the NAACP, NABLEO, the Westchester/Rockland Guardians Association, the F. Willa Davis Women's Club, and the Omicron Iota Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

As commissioner, Reynolds said he plans to expand key priorities, including bolstering community engagement initiatives and trust through neighborhood-based policing models, enhancing officer wellness and training, advancing public safety technology, and supporting the City's Quality of Life Initiative.