Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Freeport Police Department reached two historic milestones this week, promoting Sgt. Melissa Rodriguez and Sgt. Jayson Kaulesar—each the first in the department’s history to represent their respective communities in the supervisory ranks.
Rodriguez is now the first female Hispanic sergeant ever promoted in the Village of Freeport. Kaulesar becomes the first Guyanese American sergeant in the department’s history. Both were sworn in during a ceremony at Village Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at around 2 p.m.''
Police Chief Michael Smith said the moment reflects not only individual achievement but a broader evolution in what leadership looks like within Freeport law enforcement.
“They both performed exemplary, and we just hope they continue to perform the same way as a supervisor now and become a role model for members of the community,” Smith said.
For Kaulesar, the promotion is deeply personal.
Born and raised in the village, he attended Freeport Public Schools and graduated from Freeport High School in 2001. He went on to Hofstra University, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 2005.
He joined the Freeport Police Department in July 2020. In just four years, he has built a record of leadership and public safety work that includes serving as a Field Training Officer, receiving assignment to the Special Enforcement Team, and earning multiple honors for his contributions.
His awards include the New York State Mothers Against Drunk Driving & Stop-DWI Recognition of Excellence for both 2023 and 2024, as well as an Excellent Police Duty award from the department.
Kaulesar said he is honored not only by the rank but by the history it represents, becoming the first Guyanese American officer in Freeport to be promoted to sergeant.
Rodriguez’s promotion represents another historic milestone—one that highlights the growing diversity of the department’s leadership.
A 2012 magna cum laude graduate of Farmingdale State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Rodriguez entered law enforcement in 2019 when she was appointed to the Freeport Police Department.
In the years since, she has served across several key units: patrol, Field Training Officer, Community Affairs, Traffic Enforcement, the Community Response Unit, and the Detective Division. She has also been part of the Adopt-A-Cop program since 2020.
Rodriguez has been recognized with a commendation and a meritorious award for her dedicated service to the village.
The simultaneous promotions of Rodriguez and Kaulesar mark a significant step forward for representation in the village’s police leadership. Both officers now step into supervisory roles as examples for the next generation of Freeport residents—many of whom share their backgrounds, neighborhoods, and lived experiences.
Their promotions signal not just personal achievement, but a milestone in Freeport’s ongoing effort to build a department that reflects the diverse community it serves.
