New Rochelle's New Deputy Police Commissioner Sworn In

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Captain Neil Reynolds was sworn in as Deputy Police Commissioner in a landmark New Rochelle Police Department promotional ceremony this week at New Rochelle City Hall.

His predecessor, Deputy Commissioner Cosmo Costa, retired earlier this week after a nearly 40-year-long career with the department.

The ceremony also saw six officers officially promoted:

• Lt. Melvin Molina was promoted to Captain
• Lt. Robert Wenzler was promoted to Detective Lieutenant
• Sgt. Nicholas Zuzulo was promoted to Lieutenant
• Police Officer Christopher Carelli was promoted to Sergeant
• Police Officer Nicole DeCarlo was promoted to Detective
• Police Officer Robert Johnson was promoted to Detective

"All of the members promoted here today represent the very best of the Department," Commissioner Robert Gazzola told those gathered. "They have worked hard throughout their careers, and I am excited to see them in their new roles. I am particularly looking forward to working with Deputy Commissioner Neil Reynolds. He has an enthusiasm for the New Rochelle community and for the police department and I know he will excel in his new position."

Deputy Commissioner Neil Reynolds joined the New Rochelle Police Department in 1994, originally serving as a D.A.R.E. officer and bicycle officer. He was promoted to Detective in the Property Theft Unit in 1998 and promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2007. In 2014, Reynolds became Lieutenant for the Patrol Division and later served as Internal Affairs Officer. He was promoted to Detective Lieutenant in 2020 and Captain in July 2021.

Reynolds is an Iona College graduate and earned his law degree from Pace University.

His decorated career has been marked with commendations and recognition from his peers in law enforcement.

He has received the Police Commissioner’s Award, three Class "C" Citations, seven commendations, two "Life Saving Awards" and the "Problem Solver of the Year Award." He is a recipient of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. "Daniel Boddie" Legal Award and an NAACP Public Service Award.

Reynolds is a member of The Police Executive Research Forum, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Westchester/Rockland Guardians Association, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and the NAACP – New Rochelle Branch.