Board of Education appoints 37-year State Police veteran

as new director of safe schools and violence prevention

ALBANY, N.Y. (September 20, 2007) -- Theodore A. “Ted” Cook III, a 37-year veteran of the New York State Police, was appointed tonight by the City School District of Albany Board of Education as the district’s new director of safe schools and violence prevention.

Mr. Cook will replace Harry Corbitt, who is retiring at the end of September.

“We are pleased to welcome Director Cook to the City School District of Albany and looking forward to his leadership as we continue to work diligently to ensure safe and secure learning environments for all of our city’s children,” said Superintendent Eva C. Joseph, Ed.D. “We have great respect and admiration for the work Director Corbitt has done for the district over the past year, and we are looking forward to a seamless transition under Director Cook.”

Mr. Cook retired from the State Police at the end of 2002 as a staff inspector in the Internal Affairs Unit. From 2004-07, he served as director of the office of professional responsibility and internal audit for the New York State Division of Parole.

Throughout much of his tenure with the State Police – from 1979-94 – he directed the New York State Police Summer Program in addition to his regular duties. The program offers underprivileged boys and girls from across the state the opportunity to know and interact with troopers in a positive and fun setting. During his 16 years as director of the program, approximately 2,500 children participated.

Mr. Cook joined the State Police in 1967 after working with the New York City Transit Police. Following assignments in Poughkeepsie and New York City, he was promoted to investigator with the State Police Violent Felony Warrant Detail in Manhattan in 1972.

In 1977, he was promoted to senior investigator in charge of a narcotics detail in New York City. During his tenure as an investigator, Mr. Cook was cited numerous times with commendations for his outstanding investigations and his bravery in the line of duty.

In 1978, he was promoted to technical lieutenant and assigned to Division Headquarters in Albany, where he served as the State Police’s first affirmative action officer. As a result of his groundbreaking efforts, the State Police continues to recruit the highest caliber candidates without regard to race, color, gender, religion or national origin. He is well known with police agencies throughout the United States for his presentations on police ethics and conduct and cultural awareness.

In 1992, he was promoted to the rank of captain and in 1996 assigned to the State Police Internal Affairs Unit. In June 2002, Mr. Cook was promoted to the rank of staff inspector and assumed command of all Internal Affairs matters involving Troops B and G, as well as Division Headquarters.

The City School District of Albany serves almost 9,400 students in 19 elementary, middle and high schools. The district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students in addition to neighborhood schools. The district is more than halfway through its comprehensive facilities project to newly build and/or renovate nearly all of its elementary and middle schools. The ultimate goal of the facilities project is to provide schools with the resources necessary to help students succeed in the 21st century.