At a promotion ceremony at New Rochelle City Hall, City Manager Wilfredo Melendez and Police Commissioner Neil K. Reynolds presided as the New Rochelle Police Department promoted seven officers, the city announced.

The promotions honored seven officers across supervisory and investigative ranks: Keith Murphy was promoted to lieutenant; Carlos Jimenez, Steven Coriel and Wayne Nelson were promoted to sergeant; and Maria Vasquez, Davey Martinez and Jason Barone were promoted to detective. City Clerk Kim Jones administered the oath of office.

The promotions recognize a mix of long service, specialized training and departmental awards, officials said. "We have the best police department in Westchester County and the best in New York State," Police Commissioner Neil K. Reynolds said, addressing honorees and their families.

City Manager Wilfredo Melendez opened remarks by thanking the officers and their families for their service and support. "Thank you for the character, the courage, and the commitment you've demonstrated thus far," Melendez said.

Brief biographies read during the ceremony outlined each officer's background and recent assignments. Key details provided at the event include:

- Lieutenant Keith Murphy: Joined the New Rochelle Police Department in January 1999 and will complete 27 years of service this year. His career has included patrol, harbor and marine patrol duties, investigations and training; he holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and has completed numerous maritime and law-enforcement courses. The ceremony cited multiple departmental awards and lifesaving recognitions.

- Sergeant Carlos Jimenez: Hired Feb. 28, 2015; assignments have included the midnight patrol and the department's critical incident/SWAT unit. He has instructor certifications (EMT, defensive tactics, de-escalation, chemical munitions) and served as a lead SWAT school instructor. Awards listed included a lifesaving award (2017), unit citations and the commissioner's award (2022).

- Sergeant Steven Coriel: A decade with the department; his background includes assignments in patrol, the special investigations unit and the property-theft unit. His training includes criminal investigation and open-source/social-media investigative techniques. The ceremony cited multiple class C citations, unit citations, commendations and lifesaving awards.

- Sergeant Wayne Nelson II: Hired Jan. 2, 2019; assigned to evening patrol and Sector 1 before selection to the SWAT/critical-incident unit. He holds state SWAT and sniper certifications and advanced training including crisis intervention, hazmat response and rope rescue. The biography presented at the ceremony noted a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in public administration.

- Detective Maria Vasquez: Academic training at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and an entry to policing with the NYPD in October 2018 before transferring to New Rochelle in July 2021. The ceremony listed detective training completed in 2024, auto-crime training and additional certifications; listed honors included multiple "cop of the month" awards and lifesaving recognition.

- Detective Davey Martinez: Began career after graduating high school in 2006 and serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, where the biography listed his current rank. Educational credentials cited included a degree from Morrisville State College. The ceremony listed training in disorder control, SWAT operations, sniper observation and hazardous-materials response, and noted recent assignments to the forensic unit.

- Detective Jason Barone: Education included Towson University and a master's degree in criminal justice from John Jay College. He joined the New Rochelle Police Department in July 2018 and served in patrol and investigative assignments, most recently in the property-theft unit. The ceremony cited training in field training officer work, drug interdiction and traffic-stop procedures, and noted multiple commendations and lifesaving awards.

Officials and presenters emphasized the role of family support and the expectation that promoted officers will take on greater supervisory and investigative responsibilities. The city clerk administered the oath for each officer, after which attendees were invited to light refreshments in the rotunda.

The ceremony did not include policy votes or formal departmental policy changes; it served to recognize individual promotions and service records.