Correction Officer Lateesha Harris began her career in February 2006 at the Otis Bantum Correctional Facility, driven by a desire to make a difference. Early in her career, she honed her skills as a Correction Officer and recognized that the challenges of her profession extended beyond managing individuals in custody. This realization led her to educate herself on the governing rules and regulations, empowering her to unite her colleagues and vigorously advocate for fair treatment.

In 2011, Harris transferred to the Bronx Criminal Court of Justice, where she continued to stand against poor management practices and learned the intricacies of court procedures. Her advocacy efforts grew, and she consistently fought against unfair treatment to protect herself and others. This journey brought her to the Vernon C. Bain Center Facility (VCBC) in 2015.

Initially hesitant, Harris eventually ran for a delegate position after observing positive changes in COBA leadership that aligned with her vision in 2020. Her candidacy received broad support, and she won the delegate position at VCBC in 2021. During her tenure, Harris navigated some of the most challenging times in the department’s history, including frequent management changes and the impacts of COVID-19. She focused her efforts on preventing job losses and ensuring fair treatment for all officers.

With a success rate of 82% in hearings, Harris has been effective in advocating for minimal discipline and has vigorously defended the rights of her fellow officers. Her activism has extended to City Hall and the Board of Corrections, where she has campaigned for policy changes to address assaults on staff and sexual harassment.

As she continues her role as a board member, Harris remains committed to advocating for fair treatment and the well-being of all officers, utilizing her extensive experiences and the support of the COBA board to effect meaningful change for the membership.