Eleven new Allentown police officers were sworn-in this morning during a ceremony at the Scottish Rite Cathedral where the department also awarded badges to six certified officers and recognized eleven recently promoted officers.

Mayor Matt Tuerk and Police Chief Charles Roca presided as officers Samantha Carman, Paul D’Onofrio, Zachary Molinario, Anderson Glaude, Yisleidy Minaya, Pablo Vasquez, Chandler Wilson, Dalton DeRosa, Keegan Connelly, Allen Strohl, and Elias Roman took the oath of office.

Samantha Carman, Paul D’Onofrio, Zachary Molinario, Anderson Glaude, Yisleidy Minaya, and Allen Strohl, who completed their Act 120 certification, received their department badges during the ceremony.

“I want to welcome the new officers to the department and pledge my support as they take on the challenges of the job,” said Mayor Tuerk. “Public safety has been and will continue to be a top priority for my administration. Many of the quality-of-life issues in Allentown can be addressed by increasing the number of officers serving as caretakers for our community.”

Mayor Tuerk and Chief Roca also recognized the promotions of Thomas Anderson, Kyle Pammer, Daniel Gross, Christopher Diehl to the rank of captain; Andrew Moll to the rank of lieutenant; Christopher Stephenson, Melissa Gogel, Jorge Medero, David Layton, Stephen James, and Adam Sinton to the rank of sergeant.

Chief Roca said, “I would like to formally congratulate the newly promoted officers. I have worked closely with many of these professionals and look forward to the positive impact that they will have in their respective assignments. Additionally, I welcome our new officers to the department and am excited to see them become a part of the fabric of our community.”

Samantha Carman was hired in June 2021. She is a graduate from Connetquot High School in Boehemia, NY and holds an Associate Degree of Science in Criminal Justice from Suffolk Community Collect in Seldon, NJ. She obtained her Act 120 Certification through the Allentown Police Academy in December 2021.

Paul D’Onofrio was hired in August 2021. He is a graduate from Methacton Senior High School in Eagleville, PA. He attended Montgomery County Community College and obtained a Certificate from Joe Kubert School of Graphic Art in Dover, NJ. He obtained his Act 120 Certification through the Temple University Police Academy in August 2014. He was previously a Deputy Sheriff with the Lehigh County Sheriff’s Office as well as a part time police officer with the North Catasauqua Police Department.

Zachary Molinaro was hired in August 2021. He is a graduate from Hazelton Area High School and holds an Associate Degree in Applied Science Criminal Justice from Luzerne County Community College. He obtained his Act 120 Certification through the Lackawanna College Police Academy in December 2014. He was previously a Police Officer with the Hazelton Police Department.

Anderson Glaude was hired in October 2021. He is a graduate from Freedom High School in Orlando, FL and holds an Associate Degree of Science in Criminal Justice from Lackawanna College. He obtained his Act 120 Certification through the Lackawanna College Police Academy in November 2019. He was previously a Police Officer with the City of Harrisburg of Police.

Yisleidy Minaya was hired in November 2021. She is a graduate from Reading High School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Criminology from Millersville University. She obtained her Act 120 Certification through the Reading Police Academy in June 2017. She was previously a police officer with the Reading Police Department.

Pablo Vasquez was hired in November 2021. He is a graduate from the Roberto Clemente Charter School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Centenary University in Hackettstown, NJ. He is attending Basic Act 120 Training at the Allentown Police Academy.

Chandler Wilson was hired in November 2021. He is a graduate from Upper Perkiomen High School and attending Kutztown University. He is attending Basic Act 120 Training at the Allentown Police Academy.

Dalton DeRosa was hired in November 2021. He is a graduate from Northampton High School, attended the University of Phoenix, and is a U.S. Marine veteran. He is attending Basic Act 120 Training at the Allentown Police Academy.

Keegan Connelly was hired in November 2021. He is a graduate from the Allentown Central Catholic High School and holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Scranton. He is attending Basic Act 120 Training at the Allentown Police Academy.

Allen Strohl was hired in November 2021. He is a graduate from the Palmerton Area High School, holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Kutztown University, and is a U.S. Army veteran. He obtained his Act 120 Certification through Lackawanna Police Academy in July 2021. He was previously a part time police officer with the Nesquehoning Police Department.

Elias Roman was hired in November 2021. He is a graduate from the Farmingdale High School in Farmingdale, NY, attended Bloomsburg University, and is a U.S. Navy veteran. He is attending Basic Act 120 Training at the Allentown Police Academy.

Thomas Anderson was hired in November 2001 and was assigned to the 2nd Platoon. He was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division in November 2007. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in January 2014 and assigned to the 1st Platoon. He was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division in May 2014 and was the supervisor of the Special Victims Unit. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in July 2021 and assigned to Captain of Detectives in the Criminal Investigations Division. Captain Anderson is also a member of the Lehigh County Computer Crimes Task Force, Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Philadelphia Area Electronic Crimes Task Force. Captain Anderson has received five Commendations: one for Bravery, one for Merit and three for Achievement.

Kyle Pammer was hired in March 2008 and was assigned to the 1st Platoon. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in April 2016 and assigned to the 3rd Platoon. He was assigned to the Police Academy in July 2017. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in July 2021 and assigned to the Captain of Community Outreach. He was assigned to Captain of Administration in December 2021. Captain Pammer has received eleven Commendations: three for Bravery, seven for Merit and one for Achievement.

Daniel Gross was hired in January 2002 and was assigned to the 1st Platoon. He was assigned to the Youth Division in November 2006. He was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division in June 2010. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in December 2019 and assigned to the 4th Platoon. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in December 2021 and assigned to Captain of Patrol Division. Captain Gross has received seven Commendations: one for Bravery, four for Merit and two for Achievement.

Christopher Diehl was hired in June 2003, graduated from the Allentown Police Academy, and was assigned to the 1st Platoon. He was assigned to the Vice & Intelligence Unit in June 2007 and then was assigned to the DEA Task Force in June 2011. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in April 2016 and assigned to the 4th Platoon. He was assigned to the Vice & Intelligence Unit as Detective Sergeant in August 2017. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in February 2022 and assigned to Captain of Training and Special Services. He was assigned to the Allentown Police Emergency Response Team in 2007 and currently serves as a Team Leader. Captain Diehl has received nine Commendations: one Purple Heart, one for Valor, two for Bravery, one for Achievement and three for Merit as well as the Chief’s award. He was the Allentown Police FOP Officer of the Year in 2016, Lehigh County Police Chiefs Association Officer of the Year in 2016 and the DEA Philadelphia Field Division Task Force Officer of the Year for 2015.

Andrew Moll was hired in December 2006 and assigned to the 1st Platoon. He was assigned to the 3rd Platoon in July 2007. He was assigned to the 4th Platoon in July 2009. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in April 2016 and was assigned to the 3rd Platoon. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in December 2021 and assigned to the 4th Platoon. He has been a member of the Emergency Response Team since 2012. Lieutenant Moll has received fourteen Commendations: five for Bravery, two for Heroism, three for Merit, and four for Achievement.

Christopher Stephenson was hired in March 2008 and assigned to 1st Platoon. He was assigned to the 4th Platoon in February 2009 and since was assigned to the Vice & Intelligence Unit, and 5th Platoon, returning to the 4th Platoon in January 2020. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in July 2021 and assigned to the 2nd Platoon. Sergeant Stephenson is a member of the Allentown Special Response Team and Lehigh County Gang Task Force. Sergeant Stephenson has received five Commendations: two for Bravery and three for Merit.

Melissa Gogel was hired in June 2003 and was assigned to the 1st Platoon. She was assigned to the Vice and Intelligence Unit in December 2004. She was assigned to various units since April 2005 and was assigned to the 3rd Platoon in September 2016. She was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in December 2021 and assigned to the 4th Platoon.

Jorge Medero was hired in June 2003 and assigned to the 1st Platoon. He was assigned to the 3rd Platoon in August 2005. He was assigned to the Vice & Intelligence Unit in September 2010. He was assigned to the 4th Platoon in July 2017. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in December 2021 and assigned to the 3rd Platoon. Sergeant Medero has received five Commendations: one for Heroism and four for Merit.

David Layton was hired in June 2003 and assigned to the 3rd Platoon. He was assigned to the Youth Division in June 2010. He was assigned to Court Liaison in November 2013. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in December 2021 and assigned to Police Administration. Sergeant Layton received three Commendations: one for Bravery and two for Merit.

Stephen James is a U.S. Marine veteran, was hired in March 2008 and was assigned to the 3rd Platoon. He was assigned to the Vice & Intelligence Unit in August 2017. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in February 2022 and assigned to the 4th Platoon. Sergeant James received seventeen Commendations: six for Bravery, one for Heroism, nine for Merit, and one for Achievement.

Adam Sinton was hired in August 2015 and was assigned to the 2nd Platoon. He was assigned to the 4th Platoon in January 2016. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in February 2022 and assigned to the 1st Platoon. Sergeant Sinton received eight Commendations: one for Bravery, one for Heroism, three for Merit, one for Achievement, and two for Life Saving.

Information provided to TVL by:
Genesis Ortega
Communications Manager
Office of the Mayor
http://www.AllentownPA.gov

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