NEWBURGH – Brandon Rola has heard the question a lot since taking over as City of Newburgh Police Chief in early May: How long are you going to stay around?
The question is a fair one. The high-profile job has become synonymous with turnover. Three chiefs have come and gone in the last seven years with Anthony Geraci bolting for a job with the Newburgh Enlarged City School District in April.
“I could have taken other jobs with different departments for more money, but I turned them all down,” Rola said. “I am not going anywhere because I see all the potential in the department, the people, and the city. I have no thoughts of leaving.”
Rola’s predecessors were in the twilight of their careers, approaching retirement age, if not eligible to call it a career. Meanwhile, Rola is still hungry, passionate, and full of energy. He still misses the action of being the Police Department’s Operations Commander, where he oversaw a SWAT team, but was ready to take on the role of Chief.
Rola, who is 38 years old but could pass for 30, grew up in the Town of Newburgh and graduated from Wallkill High School, where he was a three-sport athlete. He is still trim and in shape and has taken some of his lessons competing on the fields at Wallkill to policing and leading a staff of about 100, including 60-plus officers.
Rola is more humble than rah-rah, but he will make sure that his Newburgh Police team works together, trains hard, focuses, and has each other’s back to win, resulting in lower crime.
“Brandon is the guy for the job when you look at the department,” said Lieutenant Chris Lahar, who now serves as the PD’s Operations Commander. “He came through the ranks and has always treated everyone above and below him with respect. Brandon is just a good guy and he is not an unknown. Everyone knows who he is, and where he came from and that is a huge part of why morale has changed. Brandon has the complete support of the department.”
Rola began his 16-year career with the department in 2008 as a patrol officer, following his graduation from Mount Saint Mary College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management. He paid his dues and moved up the ranks, being promoted to Lieutenant in 2020, before being tabbed Chief. During that time, Rola turned down jobs with departments in leafy sections of Westchester County and Rockland County.
“I have 4 ½ years until I can retire and I will stay at least that long,” Rola said. “I could easily see myself staying after I’m retirement eligible because I see the potential that this city and department has.”
