Six officers join Cornell's police force

Raymond Schweiger
Jason Koski/University Photography
With the help of his daughter, Officer Raymond Schweiger receives his commission with the Cornell University Police in the Statler Ballroom Nov. 13.
Cathy Zoner and officers
Jason Koski/University Photography
Chief Cathy Zoner, left, oversees the commissioning of new Cornell University Police officers during the Nov. 13 ceremony.
Kevin Noterfonzo with his famil
Jason Koski/University Photography
Sgt. Kevin Noterfonzo with his family during the commissioning ceremony.

Six new Cornell University Police (CUP) officers were sworn in and two officers promoted – Sgt. Daniel Murphy to lieutenant and Officer Kevin Noterfonzo to sergeant – at the officer commissioning and swearing-in ceremony Nov. 13 in the Statler Ballroom.

Although the promotion and appointments had already been in effect, the event formally recognized the officers’ achievements and new responsibilities.

Among other duties, a lieutenant in the Cornell police force directs investigators and an investigations sergeant in pursuing reports of serious incidents on campus, coordinating protective details for visiting dignitaries, completing background checks and supporting students determined to be at risk, Chief Kathy Zoner said.

Murphy has received the Cornell University Police Medal of Merit and the Kiwanis Officer of the Month award, and he developed the Patrol Rifle Operator Program, Zoner said. He also helped lead the department’s successful reaccreditation in 2013 and has directed a sexual assault investigative task team, she said.

Introducing Noterfonzo, Zoner said the rank of sergeant is the first level of supervision in the Cornell police hierarchy: “A sergeant must know the officers, communicate with them frequently, foster their strengths, bolster their weaknesses and use that knowledge to grow each individual into a knowledgeable, well-trained, customer service-oriented law enforcement agent of the campus.”

Noterfonzo attended Corning (New York) Community College and Wilson Technical Community College in North Carolina. As a patrol officer, Noterfonzo obtained numerous police credentials and worked with his canine partner, Reggie. The duo received New York state certification as an explosive canine detection team.

Six new officers, chosen from among 250 applications, were hired this year – Justin Baum, Vanessa Bentley, Tim Camilli, Brandon Frisbie, Kyle Sandy and Raymond Schweiger. All six are New York natives.

Baum graduated in 2009 from Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in criminal justice and served the U.S. Army at Fort Drum before going to Afghanistan. There, he was a military police platoon leader before becoming captain. Baum was recognized with the U.S. Army Bronze Star Medal for service in Afghanistan and the U.S. Army Commendation Medal.

Bentley attended SUNY Albany, where she earned a bachelor’s in sociology and women’s studies, and a master’s  in criminal justice. Bentley graduated from the New York State Basic Police Course in 2013.

Frisbie attended Binghamton University, where he earned a bachelor’s in economics and an master’s in public administration. He was a security coordinator at Corning Inc. and is a graduate of the New York State Basic Police Course.

Sandy graduated from Hobart and William Smith College with a dual degree in psychology and American studies. He is a graduate of the New York State Basic Police Course and plans to complete graduate work in Cornell’s ILR School.

Schweiger earned a degree in criminal justice at Broome County Community College and is a 1990 graduate of the Southern Tier Law Enforcement Academy. He worked as a patrol officer for the Ithaca City Police Department for 23 years, was a team leader of three K-9 teams, served as a special investigator in narcotics and twice was named Kiwanis Officer of the Month.

Camilli earned bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and health sciences at SUNY Brockport. He is completing graduate work in nutrition through Western Michigan University.

Camilli performed contract work with the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Air Marshals, the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Defense before coming to the Cornell Police in 2005. In 2007, Camilli joined the Washington, D.C., Metro Police, returning to Cornell in 2013.

All CUP officers are commissioned by New York state to enforce and make arrests for violations of federal, state and local laws and are empowered by Cornell to enforce its Campus Code of Conduct. 

Media Contact

Joe Schwartz