Suffolk Police's Highest-Ranking Woman Promoted To Assistant Chief

YAPHANK, NY — Suffolk police's highest-ranking woman, Milagros Soto, has been promoted to the position of assistant chief overseeing the department's Internal Affairs Bureau, the section charged with investigating misconduct.

Soto made department history in 2021 when she was promoted to the rank of deputy chief, making her the first Hispanic woman to achieve the rank.

Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison called Sotos' leadership firm, but fair.

"Thank you for your old knocking down barriers for women in law enforcement all around the country," he said. "You are a phenomenal leader."

Michael Romagnoli was promoted from deputy chief of patrol to Chief of Operations.

"I couldn't think of a better man who could lead our operations bureau into the future — knowing that he worked his tail off as deputy chief," Harrison said.

In his 31 years at the department, Romagnoli has worked everywhere from Homeland Security to precinct commander.