Christopher Cruz

Brooklyn Borough Trustee

Christopher Cruz

ABOUT Christopher Cruz

In 2008 Christopher Cruz began his career as a New York City Correction Officer. Over his 16 years of service, he worked at Anna M. Kross Center (AMKC) and the New York City Department of Correction Academy.

During his time at Anna M. Kross Center (AMKC), he worked with every classification of persons in custody. Most of his time at AMKC was spent working in Harts Island specialized clinic for the persons in custody with mental illness.

In 2014, he was assigned to the Correction Academy as a General Topics instructor where he developed and delivered curriculum on topics such as Use of Force, Chemical Agents and Defensive Tactics. Over the past decade, he has trained staff of all ranks, both uniform and non uniform, to bridge the gap between policy and practice.

In 2020 Cruz was elected as delegate to the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association (COBA) representing the NYC Department of Correction Academy. In his role, he represented and mentored the recruits and also served as a resource for the Correction Officers in the facilities.

In 2024 Cruz was elected as Brooklyn Borough Trustee to the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association (COBA).

JAILS SUPERVISION

Stephanie Taibi

Giovanna Velez

Mauricio Peterson

Vincent Pantoliano

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Glenn Morgan
1st Vice President
Herman Jiminian
2nd Vice President
Antoinette Anderson
3rd Vice President
Angel Castro
Treasurer
Daniel Monaco
Legislative Chairman
Lionel Cumberbatch
Financial Secretary
Kamaal Moore
Corresponding Secretary
Neil Renois
Recording Secretary
Edward Yates
Sergeant-At-Arms
Rodney McQueen
First City Wide Trustee
Christopher Cruz
Brooklyn Borough Trustee
Vanessa Quinones
Bronx Borough Trustee
Lateesha Harris
Manhattan Borough Trustee
Derrick Lascko
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