Lorna Atmore, who joined the Nassau County Police Department in 1995, became the newest three-star chief on the force on Thursday.

Chief Atmore is now the commander of the Support Division – one of the department’s biggest units which includes the 911 center, information technology and the upcoming police body camera program.

She says being on the force is “not just patrol.”

“I think people don't realize that and that there are so many different things you can do in this department,” she says.

With this new position, Chief Atmore is fifth in line for command of the department and joins several other African American officers in top leadership positions – including the chief of department and chief of detectives.

As a woman of color, Chief Atmore says she hopes she can inspire others to consider a career in law enforcement.

Chief Atmore says she decided to join the Nassau force after two of her relatives who worked as city officers convinced her to apply. She says the rest was history.

Atmore is the highest ranking woman of color in the department’s history to run the Support Division.