Dr. Na’Shayla Nelson is a military veteran who dedicated her life to public service. In 2007, she began her law enforcement career as a patrol officer. In subsequent years, she worked in every area of law enforcement, including an Investigator in Major Crimes, Community Policing, Patrol Sergeant, Special Investigations Sergeant, Major Crimes Sergeant, Field Operations Lieutenant, Criminal Investigations Division Lieutenant, Administrative Services Lieutenant, and most recently Chief of Police for the Maxton (NC) Police Department. Her assignments have included supervision of specialties including K-9, Fugitive Apprehension, Narcotic Suppression, Budgeting and Grant Writing, Training and Recruitment, and Emergency Communications, among other assignments.
The Dr. Chief is a graduate of the University of Richmond’s 47th Session PELS (Professional Executive Leadership School), North Carolina State University’s 90th Session of AOMP (Administrative Officers Management Program), FBI-LEEDA Trilogy, FBI-LEEDA e-Trilogy and New Chief/Deputy Chief School (VACP). She is also a General Instructor and holds other certifications.
Along with her professional certifications, Dr. Nelson holds a Bachelor of Science from Upper Iowa University and two Master’s Degrees. She has a Master of Public Policy and Administration with a Concentration in Disaster Management from American Military University and a Master of Philosophy from Walden University. She also has a Ph.D in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University. She is also an experienced lecturer, career coach, and moderator.
As police chief, she served as the municipality’s Nuisance and Abatement Manager, Emergency Operations Center Point of Contact for the locality. She also served on the Robeson Community College Board of Advisors for the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program North Carolina Chief of Police Association Training Committee, served as a youth mentor, and volunteered as a member of Continental Societies, Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority all while being an active member of National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) and is National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE), American Society for Public Administration, and other professional organizations.