Dear Ramily:

We are excited to share that new School Resource Officers (SROs) have joined the Port Chester Schools team, further strengthening the safety and support available to our students, staff, and families.

Please also join us in congratulating Detective Lazala on his promotion to Youth Detective. He will continue to be a familiar presence in the halls of Port Chester Middle School and Port Chester High School, where he has built trusted relationships with our students.

Meet Our New School Resource Officers:

Police Officer Leslie Morales – Port Chester PD
 (Assigned to King Street and Park Avenue Elementary)

Hello, my name is Officer Leslie Morales, and I am proud to serve with the Port Chester Police Department. I began my career in Patrol, helping to keep our community safe, and I also serve as the department’s Spanish-speaking Domestic Violence Liaison, where I connect families with important resources through the High-Risk Team and Mobile Crisis Response Team.

I am a certified School Resource Officer with a true passion for working with children and youth. Before joining the police force, I taught high school math in the Bronx, and that experience inspired my commitment to education, mentorship, and community engagement. Over the years, I have been involved in programs like Chess in the Classrooms, reading with children, Career Day, and the Westchester Youth Police Academy.

I am very excited to bring that same energy and dedication to King Street and Park Avenue Elementary. I look forward to meeting students, families, and staff—and if you see me around, please say hello! I usually have some police-themed stickers for the kids.

Det. Christian Bautista – Rye Brook PD

 (Assigned to Port Chester Middle School)

Hi everyone! My name is Detective Christian Bautista, and I am proud to be the new School Resource Officer at Port Chester Middle School. I grew up right here in Port Chester as a first-generation Mexican American, and I am honored to give back to the community that shaped me. I’m also fluent in Spanish, which helps me connect with more of our students and families.

I began my law enforcement career in 2017 with the New Rochelle Police Department and later joined the Rye Brook Police Department in 2021. During my career, I’ve served as a Field Training Officer, Breath Analysis Operator, and member of the Emergency Services Unit.

Walking the same halls I once did as a student is a special experience for me. I look forward to building positive relationships with our students, families, and staff at the Middle School.

Det. Abel Taveras – Rye Brook PD
 (Assigned to Port Chester High School)

My name is Detective Abel Taveras, and I’ve been a police officer for eight years. I come from a close-knit Dominican American family with two brothers and a sister, and I’m fluent in both English and Spanish.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in business administration from SUNY Old Westbury, and later completed my master’s degree and advanced certificate in Criminal Investigations at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice. A fun fact about me—I’m a huge Mets fan!

As the new SRO at Port Chester High School, I’m excited to serve as a mentor, resource, and advocate for our students, staff, and families. I look forward to supporting the PCHS community in every way I can.

We look forward to the positive impact these officers will have in our schools and community. Thank you, as always, for your partnership and support.

Sincerely,

Dr. Aurelia Henriquez

Superintendent of Schools