ROCKLAND — Things are hopping at Rockland PD, as usual. Employee applications are being processed for potential new hires. The daily barrage of investigations and reports hum along, patrol officers carry the beat through the rain, and sun, and rain again.

But, for a moment near midday July 3, those who could break away did so. For a moment.

The investigators, the patrol officers, the parking monitor, the faces that aren’t usually public-facing as well as those who are, gathered inside their station to bear witness as Sgt. Detective Alex Gaylor officially became Deputy Chief.

He pledged an oath of allegiance. His wife pinned a new badge to his lapel. Hugs, handshakes, and family photos ensued.

“I’m really proud to be in this position with this amazing group,” he said.

Everyone clapped. And then, they scattered. Back to work. Back to bed (night shift). Back to lunch. Back to processing those applications.

One might say it’s because police officers don’t have idle tendencies. One might say it’s because the department is understaffed.

Or, one might say that those officers have things to do, and they aren’t going to wait around for the day the team roster is once again at full capacity.

For several months, Gaylor has been acting as interim assistant police chief while continuing with his own role as Sergeant Detective, a position he’s held since 2017. Prior to that, he was an officer with Rockland for three years, and an officer in Vermont for three years before that.

Recently he’s become a mentor for a few specific juveniles, as well as a regular face for police/juvenile relations in Rockland. Along with Chief Tim Carroll, he coordinates the officer/youth sporting events that are starting to take shape. He’s even taken a couple of those juveniles tubing on his day off.

The officers have shown up to organized basketball and dodge ball games with the kids. A whiffle ball game is in the works. Many more community outreach programs are in mind.

They also have weekly drop-in sessions at the rec. center on Wednesdays.

“There’s a long way to go, and definitely a need to continue, but we’ve made some serious progress,” he said.

A lot goes on behind the scenes. Several officers are taking time out of their day to meet up with juveniles. Sometimes it’s impromptu. Just the other day an officer learned that a juvenile needed food. The officer picked up the child and they went to McDonald’s.

“It’s been great, and all of the officers have stepped up,” said Gaylor.

As well, Dark Harbor Barbershop donated some haircuts after Gaylor reached out to the business.

Many have done some of those little things that don’t necessarily get written about on Facebook. However, Gaylor admits that the staff is maxed out, and is probably taking on more then they have time for right now.

“But, it’s such an important thing that we need to continue it,” he said.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com