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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Jemison native Latoya White took a gamble on herself moving to New York shortly after school in the early 2000s, and she has now well established herself in the New Rochelle Police Department including winning a recent award with the department.

White was awarded the 2024 Civilian Employee of the Year award by the department at its annual Memorial & Awards Ceremony on May 14 that recognized its most outstanding officers. White, a community service officer, was recognized for her calm demeanor and ability to multitask in a position that has required her to travel different avenues.

“During this annual ceremony we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, and celebrate those who serve the department with distinction,” Robert Gazzola, Police Commissioner of the New Rochelle Police, said. “Their courage and commitment deserve our respect and gratitude.”

White grew up in Jemison and finished up school in 1998 before going to Alabama A&M University for a few years. While growing up, she visited family in New York during the summers and fell in love with the area. After a few years at A&M, White took the jump in 2001 and made her way to New Rochelle, New York to fulfill her dreams.

“I always knew I wanted to live in New York, and when the opportunity presented itself for me to leave Alabama, I took hold of it and did not let go until I made my own way in New Rochelle,” White said.

White used her background in finance to get into banking when she arrived in New York and worked with multiple banks as a teller. After a while, she needed something new, and she decided to explore the field of law enforcement.

“I was intrigued by policing and just working in that field,” White said. “I was interested and I thought I would try it and see what happens, and what happened is where we are right now.”

White was appointed to the department on March 21, 2016 and she currently works in the third tour communications unit where she has become a key team member. Her position as a community service officer is a bit different from a traditional police officer that would patrol, make traffic stops or make arrests. White works mainly in the communications unit, which is like a dispatcher, but with a bit more that goes into the job. She has received advanced training in emergency police dispatching, dispatch response to critical incidents and she plays a vital role in training new officers that are appointed to the department. She has trained and mentored new community service and police officers while taking a lead in maintaining and improving the communications room and facilities at the department, demonstrating her commitment to enhancing efficiency and creating a better work environment.

“CSO White is recognized for her positivity and professionalism, which promote positive interactions with the public and colleagues,” a handout at the ceremony said. “Her dedication is reflected in her perfect attendance over the past four years. She actively engages in community events where she teaches the public and children how to make proper 911 calls and provide essential information during emergencies.”

White feels like the part of her personality that says ‘What do you need, and how can I help?’ is what shines through the most on a daily basis at NRPD. Her peers have taken notice of that and know they can count on her to know when something is off, even when they do not make it readily known.

“I take pride in what I do. I am able to authentically give my personal gifts to the community and the public as far as helping, assisting and teaching,” White said. “It is rewarding, and I really like it. There are a lot of different facets that I have not gotten into yet, but god willing, I have another 20 years to go.”