Singletary Named Deputy Chief; Rivera, Correia Promoted to Commander

Mayor Lovely A. Warren and Chief Michael Ciminelli today announced changes in the Rochester Police Department’s (RPD) command staff. Effective in January 2018, Captain La’Ron Singletary, currently Commanding Officer of the Administrative Services Division, will be promoted to Deputy Chief; Lt. Fabian Rivera will be promoted to Commander of RPD’s Special Operations Division (SOD); and Lt. Elena Correia will be promoted to Commander of the Administrative Services Division

“These promotions are the tangible result of our years-long commitment to cultivate diversity and professional development in the Rochester Police Department – something I advocated for since my days on City Council,” said Mayor Warren. “With these changes, the RPD command staff will not only better reflect the community it serves, but the police force it leads. These young leaders were all born and raised in our community and rose through the ranks of the Department. They are, indeed, Rochester’s finest.”

In his new position, Captain Singletary will focus on developing and implementing strategies related to communications and community engagement, as well as other related functions such as recruitment. He will also serve as RPD’s primary Public Information Officer. Singletary’s promotion is the result of the pending retirement of Deputy Chief Wayne Harris, after more than 30 years of service.

“La’Ron Singletary will be an outstanding Deputy Chief of the Rochester Police Department,” said Mayor Warren. “He grew up here in Rochester and has come up through the ranks of the Rochester Police Department, which means he not only knows our city’s streets, but also the people who live here. La’Ron has been a leader in RPD and his service has received national recognition when he was honored as one of this year’s ‘40 Under 40’ honorees by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. As we continue working to improve the ties between our Police Department and the citizens it serves, I know La’Ron Singletary will be the right person to open lines of communication and engage in important conversations with both our residents and officers. I also want to acknowledge and thank Deputy Chief Wayne Harris for his years of distinguished service in the Rochester Police Department and for his unyielding commitment to our citizens.”

Chief Michael Ciminelli said: “I am looking forward to Captain Singletary assuming his new duties with enthusiasm and innovation. I also want to thank Deputy Chief Harris for many years of dedicated service to the city of Rochester, especially his recent coordination of our community outreach efforts.”

Captain Singletary is a 17-year veteran of the RPD. He served in a variety of patrol assignments in different neighborhoods of the city, as well as a Crime Prevention Officer. As a Police Officer, he also served as RPD’s Public Information Officer and Aide to the Chief of Police. As he rose through the ranks, Captain Singletary served as a Patrol Sergeant, and was assigned to the Professional Standards Section, which is responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct by RPD officers. After being promoted to Lieutenant, he served as a Patrol Platoon Commanding Officer. As a Captain, he first served as a Staff Duty Officer in command of the Department during the overnight shift. More recently, he was designated Commanding Officer of the Administrative Services Division where he oversaw the Professional Development Section, which is responsible for recruitment, hiring and training; and the Technical Services Section, which is responsible for the many administrative and support functions.

Captain Singletary holds a Master of Public Administration Degree from the State University of New York at Brockport; a Baccalaureate Degree from Keuka College; and an Associate’s Degree from Monroe Community College. He has also graduated from various leadership programs such as the FBI National Academy; the United Way’s African American Leadership Development Program; and Leadership Rochester. Captain Singletary served as an advisor with the Rochester Police Explorer’s Program and currently serves as Treasurer of the Rochester Police Department’s Rosewood Club. He is vice president of the local chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and has attended numerous conferences related to issues affecting law enforcement and the communities they serve.

He was recently honored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) at its 124th Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Pa., where he received the “40 Under 40 award,” which recognizes 40 law enforcement professionals under the age of 40 from around the world who demonstrate leadership and exemplify commitment to their profession.

Captain Singletary is a native of the city of Rochester and a graduate of the Rochester City School District’s John Marshall High School’s Law and Government Magnet Program in 1998.

Lt. Fabian Rivera will be promoted to Commander and assume command of RPD’s Special Operations Division (SOD). Lt. Rivera’s promotion is the result of the pending of retirement of Commander Tim List after 31 years of service.
“Fabian Rivera’s experience at RPD and in our nation’s military will undoubtedly mean he will make an outstanding commander,” said Mayor Warren. “Lt. Rivera has risen through ranks of our Police Department with distinction and he also gives back to our community as an educator and role model. I look forward to working with him, all of our officers, Chief Ciminelli and the entire command staff as we strive to provide our residents with the very best possible Police Department. I also wish Commander List well in a much-deserved retirement.”

Chief Ciminelli said: “I am excited to welcome Lt. Rivera into the command ranks of RPD. His leadership, experience, motivation and energy will be a great addition to RPD’s command team. I want to thank Commander List for many years of dedicated service to the city of Rochester, especially his recent coordination of our efforts to reduce gun violence.”

SOD includes a number of investigative and specialized sections and patrol units within RPD, including the Central Investigations Section, Special Investigations Section, Tactical Unit, K-9 Unit, Youth Services Unit, Traffic Enforcement and Mounted Unit. It also includes RPD’s special teams, such as SWAT, SCUBA Squad, Bomb Squad and Crisis Negotiation.

In his new position, Lt. Rivera will join Commander Joe Morabito. Commander Morabito will assume command of the Patrol Division, overseeing RPD’s five Patrol Sections. As SOD Commander, Lt. Rivera will report to Deputy Chief of Operations Scott Peters.

Lt. Rivera is a 17-year veteran of RPD, having served in a number of assignments, including Patrol Officer; Tactical Unit officer; Recruit Class Counselor; Patrol Supervisor; Tactical Unit Supervisor; and Assistant Commander of SWAT.

He is also a military veteran having served 22 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army, including deployment to Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom. He served as SWAT Commander during the successful rescue of two kidnapped University of Rochester students on Dec. 5, 2015.

Lt. Rivera holds a Master of Public Administration Degree and a Bachelor of Science Degree from the State University of New York at Brockport. He also holds an Associate of Applied Science Degree from Monroe Community College. Lt. Rivera has extensive training and experience in a variety of topics, both at RPD and in the military. He also serves as adjunct faculty in the criminal justice programs at Roberts Wesleyan College and Monroe Community College. Lt. Rivera is fluent in English and Spanish. He will be the highest ranking Hispanic officer in the RPD. He is a native of Rochester and graduated from Edison Technical High School.

Lt. Elena Correia will be promoted to Commander and assume command of the Administrative Services Division, where she will oversee the Professional Development Section, which is responsible for training, background investigations, and related functions; the Technical Services Section, which is responsible for Headquarters functions, records, property and evidence, and related functions; and other administrative functions such as management of police facilities and the police vehicle fleet. In her new assignment Lt. Correia will report to Deputy Chief of Administration Mark Simmons.

“I am excited by the promotion of Elena Correia to Commander,” said Mayor Lovely Warren. “Lt. Correia will work hard on behalf of all our residents, bringing her unique perspective and vast experience to her new assignment as a Commander. As the first female Mayor of Rochester, I am particularly pleased that Elena’s promotion will make her a shining example for girls throughout our city by showing them they can do and be anything they choose.”

Chief Ciminelli said: “Lt. Correia will bring a wide array of experience and ability to her new position, which is critical to the proper functioning of the Police Department. She will be a welcome addition to a strong RPD Command team.”

Correia, the granddaughter of a New York State Trooper, is a 19-year RPD veteran. She is currently Commanding Officer of the Genesee Section Third Platoon and also serves as the Commanding Officer of the Crisis Negotiation Team. Her prior assignments include Chief of Staff to the Chief of Police and Public Information Officer. Lt. Correia has also served as Patrol Officer and Sergeant; Crime Prevention Officer; and Field Training Officer and Supervisor.

She was one of the original members of RPD’s Emotionally Disturbed Persons Response Team (EDPRT). She also serves as a Police Instructor, conducting training in crime prevention, hostage response and mental health. Lt. Correia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the State University of New York at Brockport. She is a native of Greece and a graduate of Greece Olympia High School. With this promotion, she will be the highest-ranking women in the RPD.

This Commander title will require reclassification by the Civil Service Commission, which is scheduled to consider the title its meeting later this week. The role had been performed by a captain.