SHOUT OUT: Carmen Martino, the first woman to head a county detective bureau in New Jersey history, was sworn in today as chief of detectives for the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
Martino, 48, is used to breaking ground, having begun her career nearly 25 years ago as the first Latina female detective on the county’s narcotics task force.
She was also the first female certified firearms instructor and first female captain in the BCPO.
BCPO Chief of Detectives Carmen Martino, Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli (CVP PHOTOS: Robert Kugler)
“It’s an honor to be the first female chief, and I will do my very best to serve the people of Bergen County,” she said before being sworn in today at the county Law and Public Safety Institute in Mahwah. “This is a great agency to work for, and I’m happy to have been given this opportunity by the prosecutor.”
She replaces Steven Cucciniello, who is retiring after 4½ years in the position — and 27 years with the department.
“With over twenty-four years of law enforcement experience in criminal investigations, Carmen Martino has the first-hand knowledge and skills to ably lead our team of investigators,” Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said.
Martino has worked in just about every unit, including homicide, sex crimes, organized crime and narcotics.
Her law enforcement career began in July 1990 and involved investigations of major crimes in New Jersey and New York.
Martino was promoted to sergeant in October 2003, to lieutenant in April 2005 and to captain in October 2009.
CLIFFVIEW PILOT PHOTOS: Robert Kugler
Pictured: Pipes and Drums of Bergen County, Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez