RVCPD promotes officer to sergeant

Rockville Centre Police Commissioner Charles Gennario promoted Police Officer Matthew Vickery to Sergeant at the Sept. 9 village board of trustees meeting.

“Almost 30 years ago I used to see this little kid running around the base pass when we played PBA softball,” Gennario said before the swearing-in. “And little did I know at that time that not only would he work for me someday, but I’d be promoting him to Sergeant. Four years old, Matt Vickery was that individual.”

Vickery graduated from Northeastern University with a B.S. in Criminal Justice in 2004. Shortly after, he worked for the New York City Police Department at the 79th precinct in Brooklyn. He started at the Rockville Centre Police Department in January 2008.

“He worked patrol for that time that he was here, and he’s worked the night patrol,” said Gennario. “And he will stay on the night patrol as a Sergeant. But I’m going to take great pride in making this promotion.”

Vickery was sworn in as his brother, Chris, who is a New York City Police Officer, and his father Michael, a Rockville Centre Police Officer, stood next to him. Michael Vickery has been the RVCPD since 1977 — Gennario said he’s been “an outstanding member” of the police force. Vickery gave his first salute as a Sergeant to his father and brother, which Gennario explained follows a military tradition where a promoted officer salutes enlisted family members first.

Vickery’s mother Eileen, wife Kerri and baby daughter Olivia also came to the ceremony.