Captain Michelle Naughton made history as Norfolk Police Department’s first African-American woman to be appointed police captain in 222 years.

As a New York State native, Naughton moved to her mother’s hometown of Norfolk, VA to start a new life as a single mother of three children.

Naughton became an officer in 2002 and promoted to Sergeant quickly followed by Lieutenant in 2015. The promotions were a result of hard work and the building of a good reputation amongst the community as well as her peers.

Naughton currently spends her time outside of the police department as a co-host on a local radio show and teaching literacy throughout the community.