(ATLANTA, Ga.) — You don’t often see Black women at the top in law enforcement, but that’s changing. Atlanta Public Schools police promoted its first woman to a captain position.

WSB-TV′s Tyisha Fernandes was in southwest Atlanta with how the captain believes this historic move will help young girls.

“I started with APS in 2018,” Captain Timya Robinson said.

Robinson made history with Atlanta Public Schools police as the first female sergeant.

She started off her career as a street cop for a local police agency and quickly realized, she needed to impact young people before they commit crimes.

“It was very rewarding to come over to the school police and work with the children and be able to have those sit-down conversations such as, “What do you plan on doing with your life?” You know you can make a difference. You can make a change now. Every day is a day for a change,” Robinson explained.

Robinson didn’t think about getting a higher rank than sergeant. She just led her team the best way she knew how.

“If you’re gonna be in charge, be in charge ya know?” Make sure that you are doing your best and being your best self and being the best example for those looking upon you,” Robinson said.

It was that positive approach that helped her get promoted to captain, and become the first black woman captain with APS police.

She remembers that historical moment.

“First thing I did was tell my daughters and they were jumping up and down rushing me saying OMG, mom you’re a boss! I said OK, now it’s real,” Robinson said.

Sgt. Daniel Lomax said Robinson deserves this.

“Leadership doesn’t have a gender. Leadership is about character and Capt. Robinson has that character and so it’s not hard to follow her,” Lomax said.

Carissa Jones runs a nonprofit called Every Girl Shines.

“Just seeing her in that position lets other young girls know that they can pursue a career in that area as well,” Jones said.

©2023 Cox Media Group