PRESS RELEASE: PBA of New York State Welcomes First New State Park Police Officers Since 2019
Wednesday, May 03, 2023Seventeenth Academy Session Graduates 32 State Park Police Officers who Will Buttress Depleted Downstate Ranks on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley.
Albany, NY (May 3, 2023) – The PBA of New York State (PBANYS) extends its warmest congratulations to the 32 women and men who graduated from the New York State Park Police Academy’s 17###sup/sup### Session today. These new officers completed a course of training that mirrors that of the New York State Police (Troopers) with the addition of highly specialized rescue training including swiftwater rescue and high-angle rope rescue, making these officers some of the state’s most highly trained and specialized law enforcement assets.
James McCartney, PBANYS President and University Police Lieutenants Director, said, “We welcome the addition of these specialized officers who have made a commitment to keeping their neighbors and communities safe. At a time when law enforcement agencies face tremendous challenges in recruiting and retaining the best and brightest, the residents of New York state are extremely fortunate that these 32 individuals answered the call to serve and protect. The members of our union stand with you and are honored to call you brothers and sisters in our shared mission and purpose to be the finest community policing professionals in the nation.”
The members of PBANYS further congratulate four of the graduates who earned particular distinction during their time at the Academy. Officer Robert Constanzo of Dundee, NY received the class’s Leadership Award. Officer Matthew Olsen of Patchogue, NY received the Academic Achievement Award. Officer James Hopkins of West Islip, NY received the Physical Fitness Award, and Officer Erik Torkildsen of New City, NY received the Firearms Proficiency Award.
Chris Rola, PBANYS Vice President and Park Police Superior Officers Director, said, “Park Police ranks have been severely depleted for a number of years. These 32 officers will play an important role in ensuring that downstate state parks, historic sites, and their tens of millions of annual visitors are protected by elite law enforcement officers focused on community policing. These officers bring an unparalleled skillset to their assignments. While our focus is always on proactive and preventative community policing, when natural disasters strike or an individual needs specialized rescue, New York State Park Police will answer the call as we have since 1885.”
The graduates of the 17th Session of the New York State Park Police, and their duty assignments, are:
MEMBER HOMETOWN INITIAL ASSIGNMENT (DISTRICT/ZONE)
| Officer Erica Antonison | Albertson, NY | Long Island | Long Island |
| Officer Robert Boyle III | Melville, NY | Long Island | Long Island |
| Officer Nicholas Callagy | Harrison, NY | Hudson Valley | Palisades |
| Officer Jason Campbell | Troy, NY | Hudson Valley | Palisades |
| Officer Ralph Cazzetta Jr | Hauppauge, NY | Hudson Valley | New York City |
| Officer Christopher Coleman | Niagara Falls, NY | Western | Niagara |
| Officer James Conklin III | Patchogue, NY | Long Island | Long Island |
| Officer Jessica Corbin | Roosevelt, NY | Hudson Valley | New York City |
| Officer Robert Costanzo | Dundee, NY | Western | Niagara |
| Officer Edward Curry | Congers, NY | Hudson Valley | Palisades |
| Officer Adrian Davis | Jamaica, NY | Hudson Valley | New York City |
| Officer Jared Domino | Shoreham, NY | Hudson Valley | New York City |
| Officer Cody Flanagan | Altamont, NY | Hudson Valley | Palisades |
| Officer Kyle Frye | Tonawanda, NY | Hudson Valley | Palisades |
| Officer Ryan Gibbs | Goshen, NY | Hudson Valley | Palisades |
| Officer James Hopkins | West Islip, NY | Hudson Valley | New York City |
| Officer Veronica Kalista | Smithtown, NY | Hudson Valley | New York City |
| Officer Colton Kelly | West Islip, NY | Hudson Valley | New York City |
| Officer Daniel Lawson | Washingtonville, NY | Hudson Valley | Palisades |
| Officer Matthew Olsen | Patchogue, NY | Long Island | Long Island |
| Officer Bryan O'neill | East Islip, NY | Hudson Valley | New York City |
| Officer Jason Opitz | West Hempstead, NY | Hudson Valley | New York City |
| Officer Jorge Portilla | North Babylon, NY | Hudson Valley | New York City |
| Officer Jerren Roberts | Washingtonville, NY | Hudson Valley | Palisades |
| Officer Louis Rossi | Massapequa, NY | Hudson Valley | New York City |
| Officer Anthony Scesny | Troy, NY | Hudson Valley | Taconic |
| Officer Alexander Smart | Brooklyn, NY | Hudson Valley | New York City |
| Officer Benjamin Smedman | Fort Montgomery, NY | Hudson Valley | Palisades |
| Officer Michael Sullivan | Farmingdale, NY | Long Island | Long Island |
| Officer Corwin Teck | Highland, NY | Hudson Valley | Palisades |
| Officer Erik Torkildsen | New City, NY | Hudson Valley | Palisades |
| Officer Michael Villanueva | Freeport, NY | Long Island | Long Island |
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ABOUT the PBA of New York State: Established in 2011, the Police Benevolent Association of New York State (PBA of New York State), is a law enforcement labor union representing the interests of more than 1,100 members of the New York State Agency Police Services Unit (APSU). The PBA of New York State is the exclusive bargaining agent for the New York State University (SUNY) Police, the New York State Environmental Conservation Police, the New York State Park Police, and the New York State Forest Rangers. Our members police and protect New York State’s public universities and colleges; state parks and historic sites; and they enforce state laws and protect our lands and forests and ensure environmental safety and quality throughout the state.
