Pledging to serve

New Police Commissioner Charles Gennario officially took the reins of the Police Department at the village board meeting on Monday when he was sworn in by Mayor Mary Bossart. Immediately afterward, Gennario promoted five officers and swore in three new ones.

The courtroom of Village Hall was filled to capacity for the meeting, and the crowd included the honorees’ family members, friends and fellow police officers.

Gennario, a 26-year veteran of the department, was appointed commissioner after Jack McKeon, who served in the position for 19 years — the longest term in the village’s history — retired on Dec. 30.

A Hofstra University alumnus, Gennario served overseas in the Marine Corps during Operation Desert Storm, from 1979 to 1984, and was in the Marine Corps Reserves until 2008. He was promoted to sergeant in 1998 and to lieutenant in 2005.

“I want to thank [the Board of Trustees] for the opportunity they’ve given me,” he said. “For the vote of confidence, the trust that they’ve placed in me. And the sincere pleasure, the distinct opportunity, to serve the people of the Village of Rockville Centre. Although I accept the appointment humbly, I promise that I will do my best and I will work tirelessly.”

As soon as Gennario was sworn in and the applause died down, he performed his first official act as commissioner: promoting fellow officers and accepting new ones into the ranks. The first of the promotees was Lt. Glenn Quinn, a member of the department since 1985, who was promoted to inspector. Quinn will be the department’s new executive officer, replacing Inspector Richard Fantry, who retired the same day as McKeon.

James Vafeades and Christopher Romance, both sergeants, were promoted to lieutenant. Ralph DiCosimo and Fredric Brussell (an officer for 30 years) were promoted to sergeant.

Finally, Gennario welcomed three new officers, Joseph Scibico, Terence McCartney and Paul Kaplon.

“One of the greatest pleasure that any leader anywhere has is the promotion of his subordinates,” Gennario said. “I get to do it on my first week on the job, and it really is an exceptional pleasure to be able to do that.”

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