By Mary O’KEEFE

There is a new north area commander for the far north area of Glendale. Lt. Lola Abrahamian is introducing herself to local organizations and getting used to her new role.

Abrahamian took an unusual path to police work. For 14 years she had worked as a reproductive biologist.

“I worked as an embryologist in a Los Angeles lab,” she said.

She was the lab manager at Pacific Fertility Center in Los Angeles. But she came to a point when she realized she had gone as far as she wanted to in her career.

“I wanted a career change but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would [be in law enforcement],” she said.

Her family was a little surprised at the change from microbiology and chemistry to law enforcement.

Her first thought was law school but she knew she had to support herself while attending Glendale Community College.

“Someone said [I should] look into being a 911 dispatcher,” she said.

She was advised to speak to Chief Ron DePompa, who was then Capt. DePompa, at the Glendale Police Dept.

“He was kind enough to take time out of his schedule to speak to me,” she said.

DePompa suggested some administrative classes and made arrangements for her to go through the communications testing. Then she went on a ride along with Glendale P.D. and that was all it took.

“I knew this was what I wanted to do,” Abrahamian said.

Still cautious, she worked as a reserve officer for a while to make certain this somewhat radical shift in careers was really what she wanted.

And it was.

“I always tell everyone I consider myself lucky to have two careers I love,” she added.

Abrahamian said the best part of her job is the diversity, that she never knows what the day will bring.

She was raised in Glendale by a family that was very community-minded and proactive. She has built her life from that philanthropic foundation and sits on several boards including Glendale Healthy Kids.

She can relate to those who volunteer and serve their community and she is looking forward to meeting local leaders.

“I think one of the things I love so much about the area command is we are police officers going out [to the community] and being proactive,” she said.

Residents can meet Abrahamian on Aug. 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sparr Heights Community Center at 1613 Glencoe Way in Glendale 91208.

  Mary Okeefe