Cobleskill Police Chief Richard Bialkowski has taken a job as head of the SUNY Cobleskill University Police.
Head of the Cobleskill PD since being named to replace Larry Travis in 2014, Chief Bialkowski will take over for Acting Chief Tom Rehberg as University Police Department Chief of Police and Director of Emergency Management on April 8.
Chief Bialkoswki said he sees a number of similarities between the two departments and is going to the college with the same goal: “Quality law enforcement and a good relationship with the community.”
Chief Bialkowski has been with the Cobleskill PD for the last 16 year and has worked in law enforcement for nearly 25 years.
In 2017, he graduated from the FBI National Academy and he’s a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, and FBI National Academy Associates.
He is a “Shine the Light” award recipient from Catholic Charities and has helped kick off local PD-community efforts including Shop With a Cop “Take Me Home”, in partnership with the Autism Society; and a revamped DARE for kids pre-K to second grade.
“Hopefully, we’ve made a difference,” he said. “We’ve tried a different way of doing and looking at things and I want to take that with me to the college. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished.”
At the college, Chief Bialkowsi will oversee a 10-person department and staff operating under the Office for Student Development.
“I am pleased Chief Bialkowski is joining the SUNY Cobleskill family,” said Anne Hopkins Gross, vice president for Student Development.
“He brings a wealth of experience from his role as the chief of the Village of Cobleskill Police, where he collaborated many times with the college and out University Police Department staff on initiatives and issues.”
Mayor Linda Holmes said Chief Bialkowski will be missed, but she supports anyone’s efforts to “better themselves.”
‘He’s done a great job in the community and we’re fortunate that at the college, he’ll still be part of it,” Mayor Holmes said.
Mayor Holmes said they’ve already been considering successors to Chief Bialkowski,
In particular, she said, they’re looking for someone with strong leadership skills who’s taken it upon himself to learn new skills.