Lynsie Nacole Smith’s motivation to become an officer is rooted in how she saw police as heroes when she was a child. Now, for almost 12 years, she worn a badge with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

Smith says she grew up in an unstable home with domestic violence issues. Her mother would give Smith and her younger brother the telephone at night so they could call police if they felt their mom was in danger.

While in the U.S. Army, Smith served with the military police and then earned a criminal justice degree after completing her enlistment. Upon graduation, she joined her current department.

For Smith, now a sergeant, the largest challenge as an officer has been accepting that you can’t make someone want to help themselves.

“This challenge has affected me in situations of narcotics overdose, domestic violence, mental health episodes and many others,” Smith says. “My job as a police officer is to be the best resource of information and representation I can by advising victims of their many options available while being empathetic and trustworthy.”

Among her different roles within her department, the Nashville sergeant says her favorite assignment has been working as a community coordinator, which is her current role. She connects visitors, residents, and stakeholders with all of the resources they need to experience a safe and peaceful Nashville. She also leads trainings within the community on nightlife safety and active killer topics.

While she sees major felony arrests, investigations, savings lives, mentoring a fellow officer, and other aspects of her career as key achievements, those don’t top her list.

“My greatest achievement in law enforcement has been showing my twin daughters that you can do anything you put your mind to doing. They have seen the long hours, trauma struggles, injuries from altercations, and dedication to duty it takes to progress in the world of law enforcement,” explains Smith.

Smith earned her master’s degree in public service management and hopes to use her education, experience, and networking skills to be a better supervisor. She hopes to attain further promotions and would like to become the commander of her current precinct.