ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. — Stoneville Police Chief Frank Moore made history as the first Black person to earn that title nearly 15 years ago. 

Moore is from Stoneville, and said he always wanted to be a police officer to help people and make a difference in his community. 

“The police are not just the police. They are counselors and public works workers. They are firemen, paramedics and EMTs. They have to do it all.,” Moore said. 

He joined the force in 1985 and went on to work for highway patrol and the local sheriff's department before returning to Stoneville in 2008. A year later, Moore got promoted to chief.

“I was the first [person of color] to hold that position here, and I was pleased that I was given the opportunity,” he said. 

Growing up, Moore said he looked up to Black role models in his school, church and law enforcement. 

Now he is excited to be that example of Black representation in policing and leadership.

“Those kids of color that grew up and felt like they weren’t able to get things, now they have someone to look up to,” Moore explained. 

About 69% of full-time sworn officers in local police departments are white, and nearly 30% are Black or Hispanic, according to a 2020 report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics at the Department of Justice.