John Rowan
John Rowan joined the Suffolk County Police Department in 1993 and retired as the Chief of Detectives in January 2024. In this role, he oversaw a division of 500 sworn and civilian personnel responsible for felony and serious criminal investigations. Notably, he had executive oversight for the Suffolk Police members assigned to the Gilgo Beach Task Force, leading to the arrest of a serial killer responsible for multiple murders over a decade earlier.
Professional Background
John held various supervisory roles throughout his career, including Commanding Officer of the 3rd Precinct from 2018-2022 and Commanding Officer of the Major Crimes Bureau from 2017-2018, where he oversaw Homicide, Major Case, Special Victims, and Hate Crimes. He served as the primary liaison with Federal agencies investigating MS-13 murders and was recognised by Homeland Security for his participation in Operation Matador, a joint task force investigating MS-13.
John also served as a Captain in Internal Affairs and as the Commanding Officer of the First Squad Detectives, holding the rank of Detective Lieutenant. He travelled to El Salvador in January 2018, further contributing to international efforts against gang violence.
Project Highlights
- Executive oversight of the Gilgo Beach Task Force, resulting in the arrest of a serial killer.
- Recognised by Homeland Security for contributions to Operation Matador.
- Liaison with Federal agencies on MS-13 murder investigations.
Capabilities
- Criminal Investigations
- Federal Liaison Work
- Homicide and Major Crimes
- International Task Force Collaboration
Qualifications, Memberships, & Awards
- Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Leadership, St. John’s University (Certificate of Excellence)
- Bachelor of Arts, University of Delaware (1991)
- First Vice President, NYS/Eastern Canada Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates
- International Association of Chiefs of Police
- American Society for Industrial Security
- Integrated Justice Information Systems Task Force on Genetic Genealogy
- Bart Hose Award for Excellence (2019)
- Joseph Montieth Award for Innovation in Law Enforcement (2023)