Lionel Cumberbatch

Financial Secretary

Lionel Cumberbatch

About Lionel Cumberbatch

Officer Cumberbatch started his career as a New York City Correction Officer in August 1987, earning him 33 years of service. During that time, he has prided himself in having the back of his brother and sister Officers by standing shoulder to shoulder with them in the toughest situations. He is a dedicated front line officer who has nothing but respect for his fellow officers standing next to him at roll call.

Officer Cumberbatch spent 20 years as an Intake Officer at EMTC, where he earned the admiration of his peers for his professionalism, courtesy and effective approach to resolving difficult problems. He strongly believes that Correction Officers are the unsung heroes who get the job done every day under very stressful, intense, and dangerous conditions.

After giving so much of himself over the last three decades to his fellow officers as far as guidance, time, advice and support, Officer Cumberbatch is just getting started. He spent the past 7 years serving as a delegate, which confirmed for him that he can improve the lives of his fellow officers in the Department. This includes enhancing officer safety, eliminating unfair discipline, increasing benefits, and ending the attacks officers face– not only by inmates, but the very department he and his fellow officers work for.

The years Officer Cumberbatch has spent on the front lines have ingrained in him a heightened sense of family and community. He understands what it means to leave the facility safely everyday to get home to his family, after working with his extended family on the job. He also has gained a vast knowledge of the judicial system, and knows what it takes to play an effective role in that system.

Officer Cumberbatch has never stopped learning, developing or looking for ways to improve the lives of his brother and sister officers, with whom he proudly serves. He understands the plight of those who wear the uniform, and is committed to using his talents, skills, and communication abilities to make life better for the rank and file. He looks forward to serving as your next Financial Secretary, and is beyond ready for the challenges ahead.

JAILS SUPERVISION

Joseph R. Hehl
Kamaal Moore
Lateesha Harris
Melinda Martinez
Jamar McMorris

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Glenn Morgan
1st Vice President
Keisha Williams
2nd Vice President
Ashaki Antoine
3rd Vice President
Angel Castro
Treasurer
Herman Jiminian
Legislative Chairman
Lionel Cumberbatch
Financial Secretary
Antoinette Anderson
Corresponding Secretary
Neil Renois
Recording Secretary
Felix Sanchez
Sergeant-At-Arms
Charles J. Wingate
First City Wide Trustee
Edward Yates
Brooklyn Borough Trustee
Matthew Romano
Bronx Borough Trustee
Maurice Smith
Manhattan Borough Trustee
Amado Rico
Queens Borough Trustee

LETTER FROM BENNY BOSCIO
President

Welcome to the official website of The Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association (COBA). COBA is the second-largest law enforcement union in the City of New York. Our members are New York City Correction Officers, also known as New York City’s Boldest, who supervise the second-largest municipal jail system in the nation. COBA is committed to advocating for safer working conditions, wage increases, and excellent benefits for all our members.

Our website was designed to provide helpful information on the latest issues impacting our members and their families. You can also find our official union publications, news clips, and learn about upcoming events.

FOLLOW US

STATEMENT FROM COBA PRESIDENT BENNY BOSCIO ON THE FEDERAL MONITOR'S SPECIAL REPORT RELEASED ON MAY 26, 2023

“After being appointed nearly 8 yrs ago and receiving some $20 million in consulting fees by NYC taxpayers, the latest Federal Monitor’s biased and one-sided “special report” is no different than the nearly 36 reports that came before it.

If the Monitor is interested in cherry picking data in a two week period, why then does he exclude the brazen assaults on our officers committed by repeat violent offenders in that same period? Or why does he exclude the numbers of inmates whose lives have been saved thanks to Correction Officers? The reality is that the Federal Monitor and his team have strayed very far from their original mission and this new report conveniently excludes key data showing any progress that is being made to combat jail violence, which is largely the result of the dedication and hard work of our officers serving on the frontlines.

These reports now serve only to provide politically-driven talking points for the City Council and the Board of Correction so they can continue to second guess and scapegoat our members, instead of providing oversight over the monitoring team and asking them what have they really accomplished in eight years to make our jails safer? It’s time for the Monitoring team to go!’

Benny Boscio
COBA President