Erik Green, a retired 20-year NYPD detective, will oversee safety at all five Rye City School District buildings when classes resume for the 2026-2027 school year.

The district announced Green's appointment on Tuesday, Aug. 25, naming him Director of Security, Safety, and Emergency Preparedness.

Green spent two decades with the NYPD, where he specialized in crowd control operations, active threat response and tactical training. He retired at the rank of detective.

His first priorities, according to the district announcement: strengthening coordination with the Rye City Police Department, Fire Department and EMS; standardizing emergency drills with clear accountability systems across Midland, Milton, Osborn, Rye Middle School and Rye High School; and creating consistent routines for security staff at each building.

"School security is most effective when it becomes part of the culture of the community," Green said. "My goal is for the security staff to be a welcoming presence to our students and faculty."

Green is a father of three, one child at each level of K-12 education, and is married to a teacher. He enjoys mountain and gravel biking and attending his children's sporting events.

The hire comes as the district invests more broadly in security infrastructure. At its July 16 reorganization meeting, the Board of Education approved a $177,965 annual consulting agreement with Altaris Consulting and a rate increase for Allied Universal security guard services, both for the 2026-2027 school year. Superintendent Dr. Patricia Murray and assistant superintendent for business Gabriella Perruccio presented a draft of the district-wide safety plan at the board's June 2 meeting.

Green is one of 23 new staff members joining the district this fall.

The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27.