Sergeant Melissa Thompson

Why did you become a police officer?

I became a police officer because I have always wanted to help people. I originally wanted to go into the medical field but I stumbled into law enforcement when I was in college. I did a ride along and applied to the police academy. My goal is to now provide guidance and mentorship to officers that will one day take my place in the department. 

What motivates you to succeed?  

My family motivates me to succeed. My husband is also in law enforcement so he is always my biggest cheerleader for promotions in the department.  I am also motivated by the fact that my department has invested in me by providing training. I feel that I must pay it forward and share the knowledge that I have received. 

What’s your most memorable moment on the job?

My most memorable moment would be from my time in patrol. I worked a really horrific traffic fatality. A vehicle had two brothers and one girlfriend. The girlfriend and one of the brothers were killed instantly. The sister of the two brothers had been traveling in a separate vehicle behind them and witnessed the entire accident. When I arrived she was hysterical and asked if I would just hold her hand. I held her hand until she went to the hospital to check on her surviving brother. Approximately five years later I was working an off duty job and a lady walked up to me. She had tears in her eyes and she asked if she could hug me. She told me she would never forget my face because I was the officer that held her hand after the accident. She told me her surviving brother had regained most of his mobility and was doing well in life.  

What challenges have you faced?

The most recent challenge has been dealing with all of the negativity surrounding law enforcement. As an African American female it’s a constant battle between the general public as well as my own family. I simply do the job to the best of my ability each day. I always try to have positive encounters with everyone that I come across. My hope is that the good will always outweigh the bad. 

What advice do you have for women considering a profession in policing?

My advice is to go for it! Sometimes we tend to doubt ourselves but we have more than what it takes to accomplish the task. Get you a tribe of strong ladies that will support you and provide mentorship. Always be willing to extend a helping hand to those that you see struggling.