Rockville Centre Names New Police Commissioner

The Village of Rockville Centre announced that Lieutenant James Vafeades will replace Charles Gennario as the village's new police commissioner. Vafeades will be sworn in on April 9.

Gennario is retiring at the end of the month after the village opted to not renew his contract as commissioner. Gennario was given the option to return to his previous rank of lieutenant and stay with the department, but declined. He was commissioner for eight years, and had been a member of the RVCPD for 32 years.

"I have full confidence that Lieutenant Vafeades is the right person for this important position. He knows our village and will provide the level of leadership and safety we have come to expect from our police commissioner," said Mayor Francis X. Murray. “His years of expertise and experience will help to continue the strong relationship between our community and police officers and bring innovative ideas and creative policing tactics to the department. He will lead this department with great integrity, competence, and a love for this police department and community.”

In his new role, Vafeades will be responsible for planning, organizing, supervising and directing the activities of all personnel for the police department, which has 55 officers and more than 35 civilian employees.

Winner of the 2010 Nassau County Municipal Police Chief’s Association Distinguished Service Award, Vafeades graduated from St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, as well as a minor in management. He also attended the FBI’s National Academy in 2011, and most recently Molloy College, where he earned a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice.

Throughout his 28 years with the Rockville Centre Police Department, Vafeades has been involved in all aspects of the department’s inner workings, including supervision of the patrol, along with the anti-gang, anti-crime, juvenile and traffic units. He has managed and balanced all facets of the department’s annual budget, oversaw grants, supervised special events throughout the village, and lead successful local and federal crime investigations. In addition, Vafeades is involved in several community programs, including the RVC Coalition for Youth.

Vafeades began his career as an officer for the village in 1990 and was promoted to sergeant in 2002 before his appointment to his current role as lieutenant in 2010.

“I am honored to have this opportunity to further serve the Village of Rockville Centre,” Vafeades said. “This is one of the safest communities in New York and is a credit to the outstanding officers in our police department. We will continue to work hard to ensure that our village remains a desirable community where people want to live, raise a family and conduct business.”

Photo: Village of Rockville Centre