From the Office of the Mayor
By Mayor Mary Marvin
November 18, 2024
You have probably noticed that our police force has so many new and almost new officers as we had an unprecedented period of expected retirements and unexpected career ending injuries so I am sure you are seeing many new smiling… and young faces.
The turnover prompted me to think that it was time to re-introduce our force to you so you could put a name with a face and continue our tradition of community policing and department and resident interaction.
I thought I would start with the Patrol Division as they are the men and women you see most often either on foot or in the car during the daytime hours.
Hopefully new familiarity will foster new connections.
By way of background, currently our force has 23 officers including a police chief, 2 lieutenants, two detectives, five sergeants and 13 police officers.
Our staff consist of 21 male officers and two female officers. Three are of African-American descent, three Hispanic officers, as well as one of Middle Eastern heritage.
The patrol division, of which the two officers I am profiling are members, is generally conducted by uniform officers in clearly marked police vehicles assigned jurisdictional areas in the Village.
The function of patrol is to respond to calls for assistance, reports of criminal activity, act as a deterrent to crime, enforce the state and local laws, identify community needs, respond to emergencies and in general provide support and assistance to the community in whatever way is appropriate.
In addition to the patrol division, we also have a bicycle division, a detective division, a community-policing program and we are very proud to have a well-staffed youth division with nine officers trained specifically to interact with our young people.
Both of the gentlemen profiled also took part in our summer/fall Community Policing Program and I am sure you have seen them walking both our business districts.
Probably no one more noticeable for his very gym fit physique and wide brimmed smile is Officer Martin Dentini.
Martin was born right here in Bronxville at Lawrence Hospital in 1987 and spent most of his childhood in Yonkers with his parents, brother and sister.
His educational journey took him through St. John the Baptist Elementary School in Yonkers and then to Mount Saint Michael Academy in the Bronx for high school.
From ages 7 to 13, he had the good fortune to play football for our Eastchester Blue Devils, which he said left him with lifelong memories and a love for community sports.
When he is not on duty, he devotes as much time as possible to his two incredible sons, Lyle six and Leo three and as you can clearly notice, lifting weights are also a big passions of his.
Martin said what drew him to apply for service in Bronxville was the charm and the warmth of our residents. When asked for a fond remembrance, Martin thought of one of our sweet seniors who was very upset when her husband needed emergency ambulance services. Thinking of her the next day, he stopped at Topps to get their signature coffee cake and delivered to her apartment, where he now has a dear friend.
Martin is so proud of his noble profession as he has always wanted to make an impact on peoples’ lives and to serve and protect a community that he loves.
He feels his role as a policeman fosters trust, brings people together and allows him to be a source of strength and reassurance in times of need.
When asked about the best part of working in Bronxville, Martin cited our unique supportive community where you get to know people on a genuine, personal, family-like level. He said the residents combined with beautiful scenery and a friendly atmosphere make it an incredible place to spend his working day.
Equally recognized for his infectious smile and warmth of personality that is palpable is Officer Jason Cooper. Jason was born and raised in Mount Vernon and was beyond fortunate to live with both his grandparents and parents in the same house along with his younger brother.
He attended a private Catholic grammar school and then went to Mount Vernon High School graduating early by attaining his GED.
He then took classes at Mercy and Westchester Community College as well as Boces of Southern Westchester for automotive skills.
He has been married for 19 years and has one beloved daughter. Jason will be a Bronxville police officer for 16 years in April 2025.
Prior to coming to Bronxville, he was a Mount Vernon police officer and as he said at a time of high violent crime numbers. He had a desire to join a force with a different kind of needed policing and frankly put his wife and daughter a little more at ease. He feels working in Bronxville is different from other communities due to the close community spirit as many people are so known to each other in Village.
In his spare time, Jason enjoys cooking and modifying his cars with custom spare parts.
Reminiscing over his 15+ years in the Village, he is filled with many interesting and fun memories. One that stands out for him would be Halloween of 2021. As he was walking on foot patrol on Park Place, he came across a furry friend in costume, whose name just happened to be Cooper and they bonded immediately.
Jason strongly encourages any young person out there to become a police officer as the career is beyond rewarding in terms of interpersonal connections and the sense of truly helping one’s fellow man.