A New York state police trooper is being promoted to captain, becoming the first African American woman to reach that rank in the long history of the state police.
During a promotions ceremony Monday, State Police Acting Superintendent Steven James went out of his way to congratulate Trenee Young for ascending to the rank of Captain, a first for an African American female in the more than 100-year history of the New York State Police.
"I am confident that this young trailblazer, young, Trenee Young. You will be marking history in your life and in ours."
The Bronx native is expected to be going into schools and talking to young people in an effort to recruit more female troopers. Governor Kathy Hochul has a goal to have women make up at least 30 percent of the state police recruiting classes by year 2030.