After nearly three decades of service to the community, Inspector Chris Romance has retired from the Rockville Centre Police Department and begun a new chapter as police chief in Hinesburg, Vermont.
“On behalf of the village, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Inspector Chris Romance for his extraordinary service and dedication to our community,” Mayor Francis X. Murray said in a statement. “We wish him a happy and well-earned retirement, knowing his impact on our community will be felt for years to come.”
Romance officially began his new role in early February and is awaiting permanent housing before relocating his wife and children to Vermont.
“I always vacationed in Vermont — I love Vermont,” he said. “My plan was to retire from the Rockville Centre Police Department after 29 years, then move to Vermont and continue doing something in the law enforcement profession.”
Romance joined the department in 1997 after completing the Nassau County police exam. He said his motivation from the beginning was simple.
“I wanted to get involved in the community, serve the community and provide assistance to those in need,” he said.
Over the years, Romance rose steadily through the ranks. He served as a patrol officer from 1997 to 2005 and became the department’s training officer in 2002, later joining the traffic enforcement unit. He was promoted to sergeant in June 2005 and to lieutenant in January 2010. In November 2021, he was promoted to inspector, becoming the department’s highest-ranking uniformed officer.
Police Commissioner Randy Dodd, who began his current position in 2023, praised Romance’s leadership and experience.
“He was just amazing,” Dodd said. “He was the best boss I had. To have him as my inspector — he ran the department’s day-to-day operations — was incredible. He’s probably the most trained cop that I know.”
As Romance departs, the village has promoted Lt. Matthew Vickery to inspector. A Westbury resident, he lives with his wife, Kerri, and their four children.
“The village is proud to welcome Lieutenant Vickery as our new inspector,” Murray said. “With deep roots in the community and a proven track record of excellence, we are confident he will continue to lead the department with integrity and vision.”
Vickery joined the Rockville Centre Police Department in January 2008 after serving with the New York Police Department. A graduate of Northeastern University with a degree in criminal justice, he said becoming a Rockville Centre officer had long been a goal.
Following in his father Mike Vickery’s footsteps, he worked alongside him until his father retired in 2017 after 40 years with the department.
“He was a cop before I was born, so he was well into his career by then,” Vickery said. “Going to the picnics they used to have and the kids’ Christmas parties — I was always immersed in it.”
Reflecting on his career so far, Vickery said the relationships he has built stand out most.
“What I’ve treasured most are the relationships I’ve built with the guys I’ve worked with — guys I’ve supervised and guys who have long since retired,” he said.
Vickery was officially sworn in as inspector during the March 2 village board meeting.
