Brendan J. Lyons reports in the Times Union that Gov. Kathy Hochul's appointment, Steven G. James, started as superintendent of the State Police on Jan. 31, and immediately replaced many of the agency's top leaders. Lt. Col. Christopher R. West, an assistant deputy superintendent, was named first deputy superintendent. James also appointed seven new deputy superintendents, including in the professional standards bureau, field command, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, employee relations, and counter-terrorism unit. He cleared out Col. Daniel J. Cooney, a deputy superintendent of field command; Col. Robert C. Gregory, who had been deputy superintendent for administration; Col. George K. Nohai, deputy superintendent of employee relations; and Lt. Col. Jennifer H. Gottstine, an assistant superintendent of employee relations to make way for the new hires. Hochul said of her appointment, “This will be our opportunity to lead a new generation.... There’s very few who have the experience Steven brings to this (job).” Read the full story in the Times Union.