THOMASVILLE — Thomasville Police Department Sgt. Elisa Carter was working in other City of Thomasville positions 13 years ago — far removed from policing — when she was occasionally recruited by the police department. She always returned to her other positions.

The recruitment was because of Carter’s fluency in Spanish. She soon learned about a demand for a TPD officer with Spanish-speaking abilities.

Troy Rich, current TPD chief, who headed the department’s criminal investigations division at the time, asked Carter if she would be interested in joining TPD.

“It never was my dream. It was not on my radar,” Carter said. “Being a police officer was the last thing on my mind. I was the girliest of girls.”

However, she successfully completed police academy requirements in 2007, and joined TPD as a patrol officer.

Although she described her job as her passion, Carter’s husband and three children are her first priority.

Carter was born in Dallas, Texas, 38 years ago. At 5 years of age, her family moved to Mexico, where her parents were missionaries. Carter returned to the United States and settled in Thomasville 21 years ago.

Advancing from patrol officer to corporal, Carter has been promoted to sergeant, a supervisory role. Along with a lieutenant, she will oversee a police shift. She wants to mentor officers in the way police Lt. Chris Mullins mentored her.

“He always told me, ‘Prepare yourself, prepare yourself,’ ” Carter said. “Under his watch, I received several achievement awards, graduated from the Professional Management Program through Columbus State University, was promoted to corporal and selected to be a hostage negotiator on the SWAT team.”

A great leader inspires and allows you to be yourself and challenges you to become better, Carter said.

Through the years, many positions came and went, but Carter always refrained from applying for them because of her responsibilities as a wife and mother.

Her new duties include being in charge of a team — inclusive of men — and ensuring things go smoothly.

“I think that might be a little bit challenging — supervising these guys,” Carter said.

The chief said he has watched Carter grow and excel in every aspect of her job. 

“Carter is the epitome of a 21st century police officer,” Chief Rich said. “She has compassion, empathy, passion and attitude toward the community and the profession she serves. Carter also exceeds the enforcement aspect of her job.”

The officer, a member of the underwater rescue team, has been the top “drug buster” for the last three years, where she made many felony drug seizures and arrested suspects in the drug distribution trade.

“Carter’s personality to interact with people is second to none,’ Rich said. “When she has an encounter with someone, before they know it, she has just seized drugs, guns and they are in handcuffs. Sgt. Carter is going to be an outstanding supervisor, and I am happy to be part of her career development.”

Every four months, Carter will rotate from a 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. shift to 5:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

“I consider it a breath of fresh air to work nights every four months,” she said. 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820