Joseph Gebert has had a fortunate career. To progress from a police dispatcher to police chief in 20 years is no small feat. To be able to retire after only three years in the Town of Cornwall Police Department’s top position is also serendipitous. Some may be shocked he’s vacating his position on September 23, but there’s a very good reason - he’s putting family first.

“My wife works full time [as the] athletic trainer in the Marlboro School District so her schedule is all over the place depending on what sport is in season,” Gebert said. “I have a daughter who is 13 and a son who is 10. My whole career has been trying to balance the two jobs and trying to find childcare. This will make it so much easier on us and her. She can focus on her career and I can focus on the kids’ needs.”

Gerbert doesn’t plan on being inactive for very long. He said he’ll take a couple weeks off before looking for another job in law enforcement, maybe as a part-time dispatcher or patrol officer.

Being chief has taken its toll, said Gebert, pointing out his day doesn’t end when he goes home in the evening. Sometimes he’ll field calls from residents or other officers. Going back on patrol would be a welcome change not only because he’ll be able to leave work at work once he goes home, but each day will bring something new and unexpected.

“You could have an eight-hour shift where you stop a few cars and nothing happens and that’s your shift, or you could have any number of experiences that day. It’s a different job each shift. You never know what you’re going to be doing. I’m pretty regimented in this job.”

A 2001 graduate of Cornwall High School, Gebert’s career as a first responder began as a volunteer with Highland Engine Company and Cornwall Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Four years later he was hired as dispatcher for the police department. During that time, the town backed his entry into the police academy as he worked towards becoming an officer.

Gebert had taken the civil service test and as a resident of Cornwall, the town was able to hire off the residency list. He received canvas letters from the Orange County Sheriff’s office, the Town of Chester, and other agencies, but he had aspirations of continuing his career in Cornwall.

From 2006 to 2012, Gebert served as a patrolman before being promoted to sergeant in December 2012, a position he held until being promoted to chief in February 2023.

As the sergeant with the least amount of seniority, Gebert was put on the overnight shift and while it worked for a while, being stuck there for 10 years was too long. When Todd Hazard announced his retirement as chief, Gebert was encouraged to apply for the position. He didn’t know what to expect from the job, but he knew it would take him off midnights.

Although his tenure has been short, Gebert accomplished much during his time as chief. He replaced the automated external defibrillator units and obtained a $65,000 technology grant to install dedicated wireless internet routers in each vehicle to improve reliability and a more stable Wi-Fi connection.

Over the last three years, Gebert has hired four part-time and five full-time officers, but the biggest achievement was getting a full-time detective back in the department, a position that had remained vacant for 19 years. Gebert said he wanted someone to be a point of contact in the event of a burglary or motor vehicle accident and to follow-up on investigations when a responding officer is off for three days.

Gebert knew Thomas Buttner growing up as a kid on Highland Avenue – he had joined the military and then moved up the ranks within the City of Newburgh Police Department. Due to budget cuts, Buttner was moved back to patrol, so he transferred to Peekskill before Gebert reached out. Buttner was hired as a patrolman until the detective position was created. Being experienced with firearms, Buttner was put through range instructor school and is now training officers with new service weapons.

Gebert attributes his career progression to perfect timing and being fortuitous enough to apply for positions as they opened up. As he starts the next chapter in his career, he hopes to obtain a new job just as quickly.