Clifton Stanley Diaz

Clifton Stanley Diaz served in the United States Air Force from 1977 until 1983. He initially started as a Security Police Officer and was quickly promoted to Law Enforcement Specialist. He was stationed at Kelly Air Force Base in Texas, and then later transferred to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, before completing his service and being honorably discharged.

Mr. Diaz is a distinguished leader and has earned numerous awards, including: Air Force Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster; Outstanding Air Man of the Year Ribbon; Good Conduct Medal; Longevity Service Ribbon; and Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

A Renaissance man, Mr. Diaz has accomplished many achievements in various fields of employment, community service, and military service. He is well-known as an outstanding leader in Southeast Queens and is primarily recognized for his role as the Chairman of the Rochdale Village Co-op Board of Directors, and as President of the Rochdale Village Co-op Civic Association.

Mr. Diaz initiated many public safety improvements at Rochdale Village, the largest cooperative in Queens, and home to more than 25,000 people. These included implementing crime reduction and community relations strategies, securing safety items for the area, such as new NYPD police-type vehicles, police lights, sirens, the installation of security cameras, bulletproof vests, and having more police officers assigned to the area.

Even while suffering pain in his left leg from a past injury, Mr. Diaz successfully led the frontline for Rochdale Village during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing the training he received from the Air Force and National Guard. He put his skills to work handling widespread disasters and emergencies.

Mr. Diaz is a staunch advocate for his community and holds leadership roles including: Chairman of Community Board 12 Public Safety Committee; Queens District Attorney African American Advisory Council Member; United States Postal Advisory Board member; and Chairman of the Orientation Committee.

During his illustrious career, Mr. Diaz worked as a bus operator for the Metropolitan Transit Authority, a police officer for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Peace Officer/Inspector for the Taxi and Limousine Commission, Assistant Director of Public Safety at Queens College, and Internal Affairs Investigator at the then-New York City Department of Transportation. His education includes studies in political science, criminal justice, liberal arts, and social science.