Our Executive Team

Colonel Richard S. Allen currently holds the position of Deputy Superintendent-Field Command. As Field Commander, he oversees the operations of the Uniform Force, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the New York State Intelligence Center, the Office of Counter Terrorism, and the associated special details of these units. He is third in command of the agency. He served in numerous positions in Troops, A, D, E and F and was appointed to his current position as Field Commander in March of 2022.

Colonel Allen is a 30-year veteran of the New York State Police, joining on March 30, 1992. He holds a bachelor’s degree in public justice from the State University of New York in Oswego.

Colonel Robert C. Gregory serves as Deputy Superintendent – Administration. In December 2022, he was appointed Assistant Deputy Superintendent of Administration. He served as the Assistant Deputy Superintendent of the Professional Standards Bureau for four years prior to his assignment to Administration, with a brief assignment to Employee Relations. He has been a Member of the New York State Police Executive Committee since May 2020. Colonel Gregory has held supervisory positions primarily in the Hudson Valley and New York City, including assignments to the Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Colonel Robert C. Gregory joined the New York State Police in 1990 and earned a bachelor's degree in English and Media Studies from Fordham University, and a master's degree in criminal justice from SUNY Albany.         

Colonel George K. Nohai serves as the Deputy Superintendent for Employee Relations.  In this capacity, he works with the Office of Employee Relations in collective bargaining negotiations and consultations with unions representing Division employees, directs State Police Academy operations and training, Headquarters personnel and hiring sections, and oversees our Recruitment, Affirmative Action and Employee Assistance Programs. 

Colonel Nohai has previously served as the Assistant Deputy Superintendent - Administration, Assistant Deputy Superintendent - Chief of Staff, Staff Inspector - Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Staff Inspector -Professional Standards Bureau, Major of the Special Investigations Unit, Captain - Joint Terrorism Task Force, and spent the start of his career in various ranks in Troop K, L, NYC, and SIU.

Colonel Nohai earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Marist College, Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Management Science from SUNY Cortland, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Colonel Daniel J. Cooney oversees the New York State Police Professional Standards Bureau, which is responsible for internal affairs and inspectional operations within the agency. 

Colonel Cooney is a 34-year veteran of the State Police, having held positions in both the Uniform Force and Bureau of Criminal Investigation, including seven years as Assistant Deputy Superintendent for Counter Terrorism & Intelligence.    

Lt. Colonel Richard L. Mazzone was appointed Assistant Deputy Superintendent in November 2020. In this capacity, Lt. Colonel Mazzone is responsible for overseeing the Uniform Force of the State Police which consists of Uniform Troopers and Supervisors in each of the eleven Troops as well as Aviation, Division Traffic Services and Special Operations (i.e., Special Operations Response Team, Mobile Field Unit, Underwater Recovery Team, Bomb Disposal Unit, Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team and Canine Unit).

Lt. Colonel Mazzone has over 24-years of service dedicated to the New York State Police having served in various assignments within the Uniform Force, Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Professional Standards Bureau.  He received his bachelor’s degree from Empire State College, is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and served in the United States Marine Corps. Lt. Colonel Mazzone currently resides in the Hudson Valley area with his wife and two children.

Lt. Colonel James E. Barnes, Assistant Deputy Superintendent, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, December 2019 – Present. Lt. Colonel Barnes is responsible for supervising the performance of statewide BCI operations which is the non-uniformed investigative branch of the New York State Police which is primarily responsible for felony and certain misdemeanor level criminal investigations. 

Lt. Colonel Barnes served as the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Superintendent prior to his current position. Lt. Colonel Barnes is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Quantico Virginia.

Lt. Colonel Jennifer H. Gottstine was appointed to the position of Assistant Deputy Superintendent of Employee Relations in March 2022.  She has been a member of the New York State Police for over 30 years.

In her role, Lt. Colonel Gottstine assists in overseeing the Office of Human Resources, which is responsible for member and civilian hiring, benefits, and payroll. Under her purview, Lt. Colonel Gottstine has oversight of both operational and training matters related to the New York State Police Academy, as well as State Police recruitment, Affirmative Action, the Employee Assistance Program and overseeing promotional and entrance examinations.

Lt. Colonel Darrin S. Pitkin currently serves as Assistant Deputy Superintendent assigned to the Professional Standards Bureau, overseeing personnel complaint investigations and internal audits for the State Police in the Central and Northern Regions. In addition, Lt. Colonel Pitkin also supervises the random drug testing program and handles all duties associated with the administration of the program for an agency of 5,000 plus employees.

Lt. Colonel Pitkin received his bachelor’s degree in economics and sociology/criminal justice from SUNY Potsdam in Potsdam, NY, and his master’s degree in Public Administration from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY.  Lt. Colonel Pitkin is also a graduate of the 202nd Session of the FBI National Academy.

Lt. Colonel R. Christopher West was promoted in March 2022 to his current position of Assistant Deputy Superintendent – Chief of Staff.  In April 2009, he was promoted to Lieutenant in the Special Operations section where he served as the Lieutenant in charge of the Special Operations Response Team. In July of 2017, Lt. Colonel West was promoted to Captain and assigned to the Professional Standards Bureau, where he remained until in October 2017, when he was assigned as Zone Commander in Troop G Zone 4 (SP Capital).  Lt. Colonel West was promoted May of 2020 to Major  – Troop Commander of Troop G, where he served until his most recent promotion.

Lt. Colonel West is a 32-year veteran of the Division of State Police and has been a Commissioned Officer since April 2009. He joined the Division of State Police on October 1, 1990 and is a graduate of Wagner College and holds a bachelors degree in sociology.     

Lt. Colonel Gregory S. Thomas serves as Assistant Deputy Superintendent assigned to the Professional Standards Bureau, overseeing personnel investigations and audit functions for the Division of State Police.  He covers the Southern and Western regions of the state.  Lt. Colonel Thomas joined the State Police in January 1996.  Throughout his career he has served in various ranks and assignments in both the uniform force as well as in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.  Lt. Colonel Thomas holds a Masters Degree in Public Policy and a Bachelors in Political Science.  He is originally from Buffalo, NY.

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew J. Crowe holds the position of Assistant Deputy Superintendent – Office of Counter Terrorism.  In this position he has oversight of the state’s Fusion Center – The New York State Intelligence Center (NYSIC), Counter Terrorism and Intelligence Units, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Lieutenant Colonel Crowe has over 24-years of service with the NYSP and has served in various positions in the Uniform Force, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and Professional Standards Bureau (PSB). He is a graduate of St. Lawrence University, the Naval Post Graduate School Fusion Center Leader Program, and attended the Rockefeller College at University of Albany - Homeland Security Graduate Program. 

John M. Czajka serves as Division Counsel where he manages the Office of Counsel, which is responsible for advising the Superintendent and members of the New York State Police on all legal matters. Under his direction, the Office of Division Counsel, among other priorities, provides guidance on legislation and regulations, disciplinary proceedings, contract negotiations, and all aspects of litigation.

Mr. Czajka has been in practice for over 18 years, the majority of which in various capacities in government service including time as a former Assistant District Attorney, Assistant Counsel in the Executive Chamber, and Deputy Commissioner and Counsel at the Division of Criminal Justice Services. He received his B.A. from Union College, M.B.A. from the Graduate College of Union University, and J.D. from Albany Law School.