Photo: Douglas Sacha / Moment / Getty Images
Rotterdam is officially welcoming William Male as the new chief of the Rotterdam Police Department, with a formal swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Thursday (March 26) at 3:30 p.m. at Town Hall on Sunrise Boulevard. The event invites community members to meet both Chief Male and Deputy Chief Patrick Farry as they step into their new leadership roles.
According to NEWS10, Chief Male is a Capital Region native who brings over 20 years of law enforcement experience. He began his public safety career in September 2005 as a dispatcher for the Rotterdam Police Department, later becoming a police officer and then deputy chief in 2021. He most recently served as acting chief following the January retirement of Michael Brown, who led the department for 29 years.
In a statement shared by NEWS10, Male said, "I am honored to serve as the police chief of Rotterdam. Together with Deputy Chief Farry and our dedicated officers we will continue to uphold the highest standards of law enforcement, build trust with our community, and ensure the safety and well-being of every resident."
Chief Male is a graduate of Mohonasen High School and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from The College of Saint Rose. His colleague, Deputy Chief Farry, has been with the department since 1997, serving in various roles including dispatcher, patrolman, detective, and school resource officer. Farry was most recently the Commanding Officer of the Detective Division.
The Rotterdam Police Department, which currently has 41 sworn officers, emphasizes community involvement and transparency, as outlined by Chief Male in a welcome message on the department’s official website.
Looking ahead, Chief Male and Deputy Chief Farry have pledged to work with residents to keep the town safe and to maintain strong community relations. The ceremony will be held in the second floor board room at Rotterdam Town Hall, 1100 Sunrise Blvd.