NCPD names first Black woman as chief of support

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For the first time in Nassau Police Department history, a Black woman has been promoted to the position of chief of support.

Lorna Atmore, a 25-year member of NCPD, was promoted to the chief of support position on Feb. 25. She succeeds Chief Ronald Walsh, who recently left to serve as Long Beach police commissioner. 

Atmore is now commander of the Support Division, one of the department’s largest units that includes the 911 center, information technology and the upcoming police body camera program. With the new position, Atmore is fifth in line for command of the department.

NCPD Commissioner Patrick Ryder tweeted about Atmore’s historic promotion on Feb. 25. “Today a piece of history was made in the Nassau County Police Department,” Ryder wrote. “Two-star Chief Lorna Atmore was promoted to three-star chief of support. She is the first African-American woman to serve in this position.”

Before her promotion, Atmore worked as an officer and eventually sergeant in the 3rd Precinct. She also led the Detective Squad in the 7th Precinct and was later promoted to captain, inspector and deputy commanding officer in the 4th Precinct, before being promoted to deputy chief of the support division.

An expanded story on Atmore will appear in the March 11 issue.