The members of the Greenburgh Town Board (Ken Jones, Gina Jackson, Francis Sheehan, Ellen Hendrickx and Paul Feiner) unanimously approved the promotions of three outstanding members of the Greenburgh Police Department at the Town Board meeting on Wednesday, April 13th. The appointments celebrate the diversity of the Greenburgh Police department. For the first time – an African-American has be appointed as Captain, the 2nd highest rank in the police department. And an immigrant from Pakistan was appointed to Lieutenant. The promotions were recommended by Interim Police Chief George Longworth.
Captain Kobie Powell received an historic appointment as the first African-American to serve as Captain on the force. As Captain, Powell will lead a new unit, the Division of Professional Standards, involved in disciplinary matters, civilian complaints, quality control, and employment background checks. Powell will also serve as the Public Information Officer. He is a lifelong town resident, having served in every division of the force, most recently as the commanding officer for Internal Affairs.
“Today @GPDNY promoted its first African-American to the rank of Captain. Congratulations Captain Kobie Powell. We are extremely proud of you,” The Westchester Rockland Guardian Association tweeted after the ceremony.
Greenburgh Town Councilwoman Gina Jackson this is a great day in the history of the Town of Greenburgh.
“Great day in history! Feels good to see my hard work of advancing POC especially African Americans,” Jackson shared with Black Westchester. “As I stated last night, I want to affirm that diversity, equity, and inclusion is not fancy nor is it a politically correct phrase that I throw around in the Town of Greenburgh but a value that I am dedicated to demonstrating daily.”
Other promotions of the ceremony included, Lieutenant Ryan Lobo, currently on the Technical Rescue Team and an assistant team leader for SWAT, was promoted to Lieutenant. He was born in Pakistan and emigrated to the US when he was five. Lobo has been a Greenburgh resident for 29 years, graduating with honors from Woodlands High School. He started his police career in White Plains but moved to the Greenburgh force in 2012. In 2019 he was promoted to Sergeant.
Also, Sergeant Gary Barnett was promoted to Sergeant. He has been a resident of the town for 32 years. He served in the US Army before as part of the Elite Rangers, where he also reached the rank of sergeant. He has been a Field Training Officer and served on the Street Crime Unit and the Drug and Alcohol Task Force.
“We congratulate all three of these dedicated public safety servants in their expanded roles,” Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner shared with Black Westchester. “Our town is lucky to have a fantastic public safety team of dedicated, hardworking, brave and efficient men and women who are willing to risk their lives to keep us safe. They are appreciated.”
AJ Woodson
AJ Woodson is the Editor-In-Chief of Black Westchester and Co-Owner of Urban Soul Media Group, the parent company, Host & Producer of the People Before Politics Radio Show. AJ is a Father, Brother, An Author, Journalism Fellow (Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism), Hip-Hop Artist - one third of the legendary underground rap group JVC FORCE known for the single Strong Island, Radio Personality, Hip-Hop Historian, Documentarian, Activist, Criminal Justice Advocate and Freelance Journalist whose byline has appeared in several print publications and online sites including The Source, Vibe, the Village Voice, Upscale, Sonicnet.com, Launch.com, Rolling Out Newspaper, Daily Challenge Newspaper, Spiritual Minded Magazine, Word Up! Magazine, On The Go Magazine and several others.
