WASHINGTON -
In 1942, he began a 27-year career as a police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington.
In 1969, immediately after his retirement from the police force, he embarked on a 38-year career with the $135-million Police FCU working his way up from teller to assistant treasurer.
Last November, shortly after Cuozzo’s “latest” retirement, Police FCU dedicated the Anthony Cuozzo Training Room to the 96-year-old for his many years of service to the credit union. Cuozzo spoke to the Credit Union Journal recently from his home in Takoma Park, Md., just outside of Washington.
CUJ: What got you interested in working for the credit union after retiring from the police department?
Cuozzo: I joined the Metropolitan Police Department in 1942 and eventually started collecting dues for various organizations because back then we didn’t have any hospital or medical coverage.
Later, I started collecting dues for the credit union and eventually got on the board of directors. When I was about to retire (from MPD), they asked me not to be on the board of directors anymore and gave me job with the credit union. I went right to work for the credit union from the police department in 1969 and worked there for 38 years.
CUJ: What were some of the highlights of your career as a police officer?
Cuozzo: I was what they called an “inside man” because I could type. I was the station clerk responsible for assisting the captain. I remember once a fella came in at around midnight and said he wanted to be arrested. The sergeant told him he couldn’t arrest him because he didn’t do anything. So the fella picked up a cuspidor and threw it through the window and said, “now you can arrest me.”
CUJ: Did you learn anything as a police officer that you transferred to you job with the credit union?
Cuozzo: At that time, the credit union was staffed entirely with retired police officers. There were no computers back then, everything was done by hand. So I was used to that part and working with fellow police officers.
CUJ: How has the credit union grown in the time you worked there?
Cuozzo: Once the computers came, I didn’t know enough to work the front counter anymore, so they gave me a job in the back office. Danny Gregg (current Police FCU CEO) brought the credit union into the computer era. He changed the FOM about five years ago to bring civilian workers into the credit union to increase the membership. Now families, aunts, uncles, grandmothers, etc. could become members. (Reporter’s note: The FOM was also expanded and opened to officers in D.C., 3 counties in Maryland + 6 cities, 4 counties in VA. and 5 cities in VA.)
CUJ: So what’s next for you? Are you thinking about starting any more careers?
Cuozzo: I’m 96 years old so I’m not looking for any more careers. My legs and eyes are going bad. My ophthalmologist said I shouldn’t renew my driver’s license. I’m just going to stay home here in Takoma Park and relax. I worked 76 of my 96 years and don’t think I can handle any more careers.
