Abington Police Honor Longtime Officer Mary Carminati’s Retirement, Welcome New Officer Diaz

Mary Carminati, a 37-year veteran of the Abington Township Police Department, is retiring.

Chief Patrick Molloy shared Carminati’s long list of accomplishments in the note below:

On behalf of all the men and women of the Abington Township Police Department, I want to express my sincerest gratitude to Mary Carminati for her 37 years of dedicated service to the department and the community.

Mary joined the Abington Township Police Department in 1986 as a crossing guard and parking enforcement officer. From the very beginning, Mary was a team player. Mary was always ready to take on more responsibilities. Often, these duties included making administrative and supervisory decisions such as processing payroll, giving presentations to schools, and coordinating special events such as the 24-Hour Relay Challenge. In the spring of 1999, Mary graciously took over as Animal Control Officer in the absence of Robert Lamphere, who was on extended sick leave.

Her dedication and exemplary work ethic did not go unnoticed. In September 1999, Chief Kelly appointed Mary to the position of Community Services Supervisor. As the Community Services Supervisor, Mary was responsible for supervising border guards, community service officers, and helping to coordinate and plan community policing programs such as the Homework Assistance Program. Mary also played a key role in implementing the department’s Police Sports League, the Youth Assistance Panel, the Children in Safety Seats (KISS) program, the Dog Walking and Watching program, and the Citizen and Police Together Family Fund.

Throughout her career, Mary has received numerous awards for perfect attendance and numerous accolades from Abington community organizations for her service, such as Willow Grove NAACP, Citizens and Police Together, Abington Police Athletic League, Abington Youth Aid Panels, and many others. None of these programs would be possible without Mary’s positive attitude and willingness to help wherever she could. Whether it was finding sponsors for an event, baking one of her amazing apple or pound cakes, delivering ashes on Ash Wednesday, collecting uniforms or awards, no task was too big or too small for this woman with a heart the size of Abington. We will never forget her willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty for the Department and the community.

May God bless Mary with health and happiness in this next chapter of her life. We all know that family means everything to Mary, so we wish her all the best as she finally has a full-time job spending time with Rick, her children, and her grandchildren.

In related news, Andres Diaz is welcomed as the department’s new officer. He was sworn in last week by the Honorable Judge Kessler, the department said.

Diaz was born in Monticello, New York. He graduated from Monticello High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice from CUNY John Jay University.

He served eight years with the New York Police Department and has been a member of the Army National Guard since 2009.

“We congratulate Officer Diaz on this new chapter and wish him the best in a safe and successful career with our company,” the department said in a post.

For the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s Daily Buzz newsletter here.

Photos: ATPD