Eight Cornell University Police officers were officially promoted to a higher rank or sworn in as a new officers at a ceremony April 4 in the Toni Morrison Multipurpose Room in Toni Morrison Hall.
Wives, girlfriends, sons, grandparents and colleagues stood up to pin badges reflecting the new roles on the officers' chests as Anthony Bellamy, Cornell University Police Department chief, introduced them. The officer's appointments have already taken effect; the ceremony provided a moment for the approximately 50 friends, family members and colleagues in attendance to recognize their achievements.
New officer Carmine Spano and his son Rainn and wife Nellie Spano celebrate his commission after the ceremony.
"Families play a vital role in providing encouragement and support in our stressful, ever-changing jobs," Bellamy said. "Because they are an integral part of what motivates a person to move up in our organization, we include family members in our ceremonies whenever they can attend."
Brandon Frisbie and Michael Scott were promoted to the rank of lieutenant, which Bellamy said requires strong leadership and operational skills.
"Beyond their administrative and supervisor duties, they also serve as mentors and community officers," he said, "ensuring that the next generation of law enforcement professionals is well-equipped to handle the challenges of the job."
Frisbie, who joined the CUPD as a patrol officer in 2013, was promoted to road patrol sergeant in 2018 and operations lieutenant in March 2023.
Scott joined the CUPD as a patrol officer in 2012 and achieved the rank of road patrol sergeant in 2016. He served as special projects and events sergeant prior to this promotion.
Patrol officer Eric Winkky was promoted to the rank of sergeant, overseeing the daily supervision of officers and staff.
Winkky earned a bachelor's degree from Canisius University, joined the CUPD and completed the Broome County Law Enforcement Academy in 2021.
Jesse Gallant, Aaron Jones, Stephen LaBarge, Darren Rich and Carmine Spano were sworn in as officers.
Michael Scott was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. His eldest son Jacob Scott pinned on his father's badge.
"They have committed themselves to taking the first step in matching our demands for a person who is service-oriented, has a problem-solving approach, who will build partnerships in the Cornell community and with other workforce agencies, and who is accountable to himself as well as to our community," Bellamy said.
Gallant graduated from the Southern Tier Law Enforcement Academy in 2021.
Jones attended Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and completed the Broome County Law Enforcement Academy in 2023.
LaBarge earned a bachelor of science in criminal justice from the State University of New York at Oneonta in 2021 and completed the Broome County Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement Academy in 2022.
Rich completed the Broome County Law Enforcement Academy in 2023.
Spano is a graduate of Broome County Law Enforcement Academy, and graduated from the State University of New York at Cobleskill, where he studied wildlife and forestry. He is a third-generation law enforcement officer and joins his father, John Spano, on the CUPD.
The five new officers were selected from hundreds of applicants and underwent an interview process that tested their abilities to meet the physical requirements, to adapt to the campus and law enforcement environment, and to be articulate, both verbally and in writing.
"Just as Cornell looks for the best match in their applicants to attend this institution of higher education," Bellamy said, "so do we look for our best candidates."
