Twenty applications have been reviewed and the Rochester Police Department’s new chief has been chosen — and that man is La’Ron Singletary. Mayor Lovely Warren made the announcement from City Hall Tuesday morning.
- Singletary is a Rochester native, 19 year-veteran with RPD
- Will take office July 1, upon City Council confirmation
- Served most recently as deputy police chief under interim chief Mark Simmons
Singletary, a Rochester native and graduate from the Rochester Central School District, has been with the department for 19 years, moving up the ranks from patrol officer, to sergeant, to lieutenant, to captain, and most recently, deputy chief of police under interim chief Mark Simmons.
Singletary's status of chief won't become official until approved by City Council at a hearing in June, and if the council confirms the appointment, he will take office on July 1, 2019. Simmons will maintain interim chief status until that time.
Simmons announced Monday that he wasn’t pursuing the position full-time because it was not in the best interest of his family to apply for the job, and said "family comes first."
Singletary also commanded the Community Affairs Bureau, which works to bridge the gap between community and police.
"Being able to serve as chief of police at a city where I was born and raised, a graduate of the Rochester City School District, along with the countless relationships that have been developed throughout the years with many community partners is truly an honor for which I will be forever grateful," Singletary said.
“He [Singletary] has the expertise, in every facet of law enforcement, and his experience in community engagement will be critical and important as we continue our efforts to strengthen our partnerships between our community and the RPD,” Mayor Warren said.
The search for a new chief was a long one, spearheaded by city officials and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, who reviewed 20 applications, narrowed them down, and sent them to a committee led by Deputy Mayor James Smith for further review.
Simmons said he will continue to serve the community as he returns to his previous role as deputy chief of police. Simmons stepped into the interim role last September after former RPD Chief Mike Ciminelli left to take a job in Washington D.C. with the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Harvey Westbrooks works alongside many police officers on the job as a security guard.
"There’s a lot of violence out there, there’s a lot of violence. There’s too much in Rochester,” he said.
Westbrooks cited the five shootings this past weekend, but has high hopes for both the safety of the community and its police officers.
Ray Abusbeih, owner of Emerson Food Market — right next to where a tire iron was recently thrown at a police cruiser — says he supports the police and welcomes their presence. His advice for the new chief?
"Walk the beats, walking the beats, saying 'hello' to the communities like in the olden days,” said Abusbeih.
Westbrooks also had a bit of advice for the incoming police leader.
"Be a little more hard-nosed. Hard-nosed, you know. I mean Rochester’s a tough city, crime’s up, we gotta support our police officers and we gotta fight crime," said Westbrooks.
According to a report released last week, crime in the city is down. Officials say crime dropped 27 percent in 2018, its lowest point in 39 years.
Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley issued a statement regarding Singletary's appointment, saying in part:
"La’Ron is a true public servant for the City of Rochester, as he has already dedicated nineteen years to this great Police Department. There is not a doubt in my mind that this Rochester native will serve the City of Rochester with respect and dignity and as Monroe County District Attorney, I look forward to further working with him on July 1, 2019.
On behalf of the entire Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, I want to thank Interim-Chief Mark Simmons, who has been a pleasure to work with over the past several months. We appreciate your service and thoughtfulness during your time in the position.”