Abington Police Department honors retirement of longtime Officer Mary Carminati and welcomes new Officer Diaz

Mary Carminati, who has worked with the Abington Township Police Department for 37 years, is retiring.

Chief Patrick Molloy compiled the long list of Carminati’s accomplishments in the following memo:

On behalf of all the men and women of the Abington Township Police Department, I would like to express my sincere 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 school crossing guard and park ranger. From the beginning, Mary was a team player. Mary was always willing to take on more responsibility. Often these duties included administrative and supervisory decisions such as processing payroll, giving presentations at schools, and coordinating special events such as the 24-Hour Relay Challenge. In the spring of 1999, Mary graciously filled in as Animal Control Officer during the absence of Robert Lamphere, who was on extended medical leave.

Her dedication and exemplary work ethic did not go unnoticed. In September 1999, Chief Kelly appointed Mary as Community Service Officer Supervisor. As Community Service Officer Supervisor, Mary was responsible for supervising school crossing guards and community service officers and assisted in coordinating and planning community policing programs such as the Homework Help Program. Mary was also instrumental in the implementation of the department’s Police Athletic League, Youth Aid Panel, Kids in Safety Seats (KISS), the Dog Walk and Watch program, and the Citizen and Police Together fund for families in need.

Throughout her career, Mary has received several awards for her consistent attendance and numerous recognitions from Abington community organizations for her willingness to help, such as Willow Grove NAACP, Citizens and Police Together, Abington Police Athletic League, Abington Youth Aid Panels and more. None of these programs would have been possible without Mary’s positive attitude and willingness to help. Whether it was finding sponsors for an event, baking one of her amazing apple or pound pies, distributing ashes on Ash Wednesday, picking up uniforms or admission fees, no task was too big or too small for the woman with a heart as big as Abington. We will never forget how willing she was to give her all to the department and the community.

May God grant Mary health and happiness in this next chapter of her life. We all know that family means everything to Mary, so we wish her the best as she finally gets to work full time and spend time with Rick, her children and grandchildren.

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

Diaz is a native of Monticello, NY. He graduated from Monticello High School and then earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice from CUNY John Jay University.

He served eight years with the New York City 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 all the best for a safe and successful career with us,” the department said in a post.

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

Photos: ATPD