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New Officer Sworn in as University Police Officer


University Police recently welcomed Officer Coty Cowles to the department.

He joins the 15 other sworn police members in the department who serve the SUNY Plattsburgh community. 

Cowles graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s in criminal justice and a minor in forensic science from the College at Brockport, State University of New York in May 2014. He then eaerned a master of public administration from Brockport, graduating in May 2016.

“I am extremely excited to be a part of the Plattsburgh family,” Cowles said. “The campus and the people have been nothing but welcoming. It is the candor and compassion of the people here at SUNY Plattsburgh that made it so easy to accept the position.”

Cowles is among four SUNY Plattsburgh University Police members with a master’s degree and an additional nine who hold a bachelor’s degree.

“We are very excited to add someone of Coty’s caliber and character to our department,” said University Police Chief Jerry Lottie. “He will be a great complement to our excellent police staff.”

Cowles has experience working in law enforcement. He interned for both the College at Brockport University Police and the Village of LeRoy Police Department while he was a student at Brockport. He was also a resident director for the college’s office of residential life.

He was sworn in as a University Police officer by President John Ettling during a ceremony Aug. 12, and he began training in the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Zone 9 Police Academy in Plattsburgh Aug. 15. The academy runs until Jan. 27, 2017. Upon completion, Cowles will complete 12 weeks of field training under the supervision of a certified field training officer before he begins patrolling on his own. 

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