Newburgh City Police Chief Plans to Stay in Town for a While

NEWBURGH – Brandon Rola has heard this question many times since he took office as Newburgh City Police Chief in early May: How long are you going to stay here?

It’s a fair question. The prestigious job has become synonymous with turnover. Three principals have come and gone in the past seven years, and Anthony Geraci took a job in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District in April.

“I could have taken other jobs in other departments where I would have made more money, but I turned them all down,” Rola said. “I’m not going anywhere because I see all the potential of the department, the people and the city. I’m not thinking about leaving.”

Rola’s predecessors were in the autumn of their careers, approaching retirement age, when they couldn’t call it a career. Rola, on the other hand, is still hungry, passionate and full of energy. He still misses working as a police operations officer, where he oversaw a SWAT team, but he was ready to take on the role of chief.

Rola, who is 38 but could easily pass for 30, grew up in the town of Newburgh and graduated from Wallkill High School, where he played three sports. Still lean and fit, he has transferred some of the experience he gained competing on the fields in Wallkill to his job as a police officer, leading a staff of about 100 people, including more than 60 officers.

Rola is more humble than loud, but he will ensure that his Newburgh police team works together, trains hard, is focused and supports each other to win and thus reduce crime.

“Brandon is the right man for the job when you look at the department,” said Lt. Chris Lahar, who now serves as the police’s chief of operations. “He worked his way up and always treated everyone above and below him with respect. Brandon is just a good guy and not an unknown. Everyone knows who he is and where he comes from, and that’s a big reason why morale has changed. Brandon has the full support of the department.”

Rola began his 16-year career with the department in 2008 as a patrol officer after earning a Bachelor of Science in business administration and management from Mount Saint Mary College. He paid off his debts and rose through the ranks, being promoted to lieutenant in 2020 before being named chief. During that time, Rola turned down jobs with departments in leafy areas of Westchester County and Rockland County.

“I have 4 ½ years left until I retire and I will stay at least that long,” Rola said. “I could well imagine staying after I retire because I see the potential of this city and this department.”