Matthew Cresta
Matt Cresta, Detective
Lower Merion Police Department (Retired)

Career Highlights
  • Lower Merion Officer of the Year
  • ASIS Officer of the Year
  • LMPD Heroism Award
  • LMPD Unit Citation (3)
  • Outside Agency Recognition Award
  • DEA Investigative Recognition Award
  • Lower Merion Officer of the Quarter
  • U.S. Army Commendation Medal
  • Southwest Asia Service Ribbon
  • U.S. Army Achievement Medal (2)
  • Humanitarian Service Medal
Matt Cresta was a sworn law enforcement officer for over twenty years. After serving as an Infantryman (Surveillance) with the 101st
Airborne Division and 8th Infantry Division, he was hired by the Lower Merion Police Department, where he spent sixteen years. While with the LMPD, he had extended assignments in the Patrol Division, Special Investigations Unit (Narcotics), Special Operations Unit and Emergency Response Team (E.R.T.). He was also a sworn Special Detective with the Montgomery County Drug Task Force. In 2011 Matt joined the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, Criminal Investigations Division as a Major Case Detective. 

While assigned to the S.I.U. Matt was attached to the County’s Narcotics Task Force, where he managed and participated in
numerous street and mid-level narcotics investigations throughout the county in both urban and suburban environments. Matt worked in an undercover (U.C.) capacity during 'buy/bust' and extended multi- purchase investigations. Matt Cresta was subsequently sworn onto the D.E.A.'s Regional Diversion Investigations Task Force, where he used his expertise in Physical Surveillance to further investigations of organized prescription/narcotics burglary groups operating in the Northeast United States. Matt also served on several state and local task-forces responsible for gathering intelligence and conducting surveillance of organized groups operating up and down the east coast. Matt’s hard work and accomplishments earned him recognition from his own agency and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

While assigned to the E.R.T. (SWAT), Matt supervised the tactical preparation, entry, and arrests of all targets associated with mid-level
narcotics investigations and high-risk warrants. He has participated in operations ranging from building clearing to hostage rescue.

During his career, Matt attended countless law enforcement schools and training. He has been recognized by the Common Pleas Court as a subject matter expert in several disciplines. In 2014, he was nationally certified as a Hazardous Device (Bomb) Technician (F.B.I.). As a bomb tech, Matt assisted in rendering safe explosive devices to include those used in fortified 'drug' houses.

Matt possesses an associate degree in Criminal Justice and a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management. He is an Adjunct
Professor of Law and Justice at Harcum College and a Master Instructor in multiple disciplines. In 2015 Detective Cresta retired from
police work and entered the private sector in the electronic surveillance field and continues to teach law enforcement officers
across the country.
Share by: