First black woman to reach the rank of captain in the Charleston Police Department and leave her mark

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) – Lowcountry history is being made at the Charleston Police Department, but the person at the center of the award says she just wants her work to speak for itself.

Captain Tonatte Mitchell has accomplished much during her 28 years with the Charleston Police Department.

“In 1998, I got my first promotion to Private First Class, then I moved up to Corporal, our first command position, and then I was promoted to Sergeant and then Lieutenant.”

And in April, she was promoted to captain, marking the first time a black woman has held that position with the Charleston Police Department.

“It didn’t sink in yet. But I was humbled. I was grateful to be chosen as the first African-American, black captain — as a female captain — but that wasn’t all. It was just an example to the community and to women who look like me to show that it’s possible no matter where you start,” Mitchell said.

For Mitchell, it all started in Charleston. She says she grew up in Robert Mills Manor, a low-income public housing development. She graduated from Burke High School and then went on to study criminal justice at Benedict College. Mitchell is now involved in the very community where she grew up.

“It’s an honor and I’m humbled to do this. I always knew I could give back to the community. I didn’t know what or where to start, but this was always in my heart. So coming back home makes it even more beautiful,” she said.

For Mitchell, however, the role of first responder is nothing new. She remembers that her grandfather, Harry B. Smith, served as a police officer in Charleston. He eventually transferred to help establish the North Charleston Police Department. Mitchell’s father was a firefighter.

“So law enforcement has always been close to my heart,” Mitchell said.

Following her self-proclaimed calling, Mitchell is now making department history in a profession dominated by white men. A 2020 U.S. Department of Justice report found that 11.6% of full-time police officers in local departments were Black. That being said, 13.5% of officers were women. Mitchell acknowledges there is more work to be done when it comes to diverse representation in law enforcement.

“We know this is a problem. There is no denying that there is a problem, but we go into the communities and I am always out in the communities to make myself known and we will visit the local schools and colleges. We are recruiting the minority population that is missing in this department,” she said.

In addition to her awards, Mitchell is also an active youth leader, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and her church. She says she cares about community.

“My team and I were able to open two community centers here. One here in Gadsden Green, which is about five minutes away, and the other in Robert Mills Manor, where I grew up. This allows us to provide resources for adults while also providing a safe environment for the children,” Mitchell said.

She also encourages others to follow their calling.

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