ALBANY -- Governor David Paterson Monday announced that he will nominate Colonel Harry Corbitt to serve as Superintendent of the State Police.

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.

A life term member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Colonel Corbitt served as the Region One Vice President from 2003 to 2007. He has appeared nationally on panels conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and assisted in curriculum development of the Department of Justice Ethics and Integrity Manual. He has also been a member of the Advisory Board of the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration for the Center of American and International Law. He recently completed a term as the Director of Safe Schools and Violence Prevention for the City of Albany School District.

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.

As Superintendent of the State Police, Colonel Corbitt’s annual salary will be $136,000. This appointment requires Senate confirmation.