The New York Senate has confirmed Gov. David Paterson’s nominee for state police superintendent, 25-year veteran of the NYSP, Harry Corbitt.

Corbitt replaces acting superintendent Preston Felton.

The Republican-controlled Senate heaped praise on Gov. David Paterson’s nominee to head the State Police, saying Corbitt will hopefully restore integrity to an agency damaged by scandal.

At his confirmation hearing Tuesday, Corbitt told lawmakers that his main goal would be to restore public confidence in State Police.

“It’s going to be a difficult task, but we’re going to do it.”

YWN spoke with Rabbi Bernard Freilich, special assistant to the Superintendent of the NY State Police who said that he looks forward to working with the new superintendent on behalf of the Jewish community. “The Superintendent is a highly respected person. I remember him before his retirement in 2004, to be a man of integrity, and compassion, and wish him much success,” Rabbi Freilich said.

The greater Jewish community wishes him much success as the top cop in the great state of New York.

Colonel Corbitt was a member of the New York State Police for more than 25 years before his retirement in 2004. He joined the New York State Police in 1978 and served as a State Trooper in Troop E until 1984. In 1984, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and served as Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of the Basic School at the State Police Academy. In 1988, he was appointed to the position of Zone Sergeant. Colonel Corbitt was then promoted to the position of Lieutenant and served with the Traffic Services Section at Division Headquarters and the State Police Academy. He was then promoted to Captain in 1991 and Major in 1993. As Major, he was the commanding officer of Troop T of the New York State Thruway. In 1994, Corbitt was promoted again, becoming Staff Inspector for Employee Relations focusing on the issue of racial profiling. He also served as Lieutenant Colonel and rose to the rank of Colonel when he became the Deputy Superintendent for Employee Relations in 1997. In 2001 Colonel began serving as the Deputy Superintendent in charge of the Internal Affairs Bureau until he retired in 2004.

From 1966 to 1972, Colonel Corbitt also served in the United States Army in the Military Intelligence Division. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations Against Hostile Forces.