Sunday, November 9, 2025
The safety of our residents and visitors remains our top priority. Every decision made by this administration, every investment in infrastructure and every hour of training by our Police Department reflects one shared goal, to ensure that Rockville Centre continues to be one of the safest and most welcoming places in New York.
Under the leadership of Police Commissioner Randy Dodd, a 27-year veteran of the Police Department and a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the department continues to set the highest standards for professionalism and service. Dodd leads a team of 55 officers along with a support staff of nine full-time and 26 part-time civilians. Together they embody the dedication, responsiveness and care that define our village.
While we may not be the largest department in the state, few can match the service, professionalism and commitment our officers demonstrate every day. They take great pride in knowing the community they serve and in responding with compassion and fairness.
To support their mission, the village invested in a new 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art police facility, which opened in 2022. It has an upgraded communications and dispatch center, a secure booking area and a dedicated training space. This facility provides the tools and environment our officers need to serve at the highest level.
In 2024 alone, officers completed 2,326 hours of training, a reflection of their ongoing commitment to professional development, preparedness and public safety. That dedication helped our department earn the AAA Gold Award for Community Traffic Safety, and become the first in New York certified as sensory inclusive, ensuring that all residents feel safe and supported when interacting with our officers.
Rockville Centre was recently recognized as one of the state’s safest and most prosperous communities in a report by GOBankingRates. The study ranked municipalities on household income, crime rates and overall livability, and the village placed first among suburbs for balancing high income, low crime and quality of life. We also recorded significantly lower rates of violent and property crime than state averages.
This recognition belongs to every person who lives, works and serves here. Our police officers, administrative staff and public-works crews have helped create a community where safety, dignity and opportunity go hand in hand. Our Police Department is also one of only 18 accredited police departments on Long Island, which includes the State Police and SUNY Police. Accreditation reflects our department’s commitment to accountability, transparency and excellence.
So far this year, the department has responded to nearly 14,000 calls for service, including aided cases, arrests, impounds, car stops, school visits and parking enforcement. Each call represents an act of service and a moment of trust between our officers and the people they protect.
Public safety depends on innovation and vigilance. Our department uses license plate readers and digital speed signs to help enforce road safety. Security cameras have been installed at footbridges, Mr. B’s Park and other key locations to deter crime and enhance patrol efforts. Through grant funding, we have also purchased three new police vehicles and expanded camera coverage throughout the village.
Road safety remains a top priority. By combining technology, enforcement and community education, we continue to reduce traffic accidents and create safer streets for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike.
Behind every success story is the dedication of the men and women who wear the uniform. Their countless hours of training, community engagement and service make Rockville Centre not only one of the safest villages in New York, but also one of the most connected. Their work is demanding, and their commitment is extraordinary.
We will continue to pursue every opportunity to strengthen and support our Police Department. The importance of effective policing can’t be overstated. It is the foundation of public trust, the safeguard of our families and the reason residents can live, and thrive, in peace.
As mayor, I pledge that we will keep seeking grants and outside funding to provide our officers with the resources and equipment they need. We will continue to advocate for additional support from the state and federal governments, because local governments like ours shoulder an enormous responsibility when it comes to public safety.
Our success is built on a true partnership between our police officers and residents. Together we share a commitment to keeping Rockville Centre safe, strong and united. As we look ahead, we will continue to safeguard our village with pride, vigilance and steadfast dedication.
Francis X. Murray is mayor of Rockville Centre.
