Monica Ephraim is set to become the first Black woman colonel in the Richmond County Marshal’s Office. Her promotion follows 22 years in law enforcement and public service.
Ephraim currently serves as a lieutenant in the agency’s Community Services and Training Division. She will officially receive her new rank during a September promotion ceremony.
The promotion will place Ephraim among the senior leaders of the Richmond County Marshal’s Office. It also marks a first for Black women within the agency.
Her career has included policing, investigations, training, and community engagement. Along the way, her work has earned recognition across the Augusta community.
Monica Ephraim’s Historic Promotion Comes After 22 Years
Ephraim’s promotion reflects more than two decades of service in Georgia law enforcement. Her career has taken her through several agencies across the state.
Before joining the Richmond County Marshal’s Office, she worked for the Albany Police Department. She later served with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
Ephraim also worked with the Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. Those roles gave her experience across different parts of the justice system.
Black Woman Colonel Will Join Richmond County Leadership
Ephraim’s new position will give her a place among the Marshal’s Office senior leadership. Her promotion also carries broader significance for Black women in law enforcement.
Women remain underrepresented across law enforcement leadership nationwide. The latest available federal personnel data shows a significant gender gap.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, women represented about 14% of full-time sworn officers. Women also held about 11% of first-line supervisor roles at local police departments in 2020.
Women Remain Underrepresented in Law Enforcement Leadership
The numbers become smaller at higher levels of leadership. The FBI has cited estimates showing women make up roughly 12% of sworn officers nationwide.
However, women account for only about 3% of police leaders, according to figures cited by the FBI. These figures highlight the challenges women face while advancing within policing.
Ephraim’s promotion therefore comes within a profession where women remain a minority. Her new rank will add another Black woman to senior law enforcement leadership.
Monica Ephraim Has Earned Recognition for Community Service
Ephraim’s work has also received recognition beyond her upcoming promotion. She was recently named the Richmond County Marshal’s Office Administration Deputy of the Year.
She was also recognized as a 2026 Augusta National Hometown Hero. The honor recognizes individuals who have made meaningful contributions to the Augusta community.
Her experience in community engagement has been part of her professional journey. She currently works within the agency’s Community Services and Training Division.
Ephraim’s Career Spans Policing, Investigations and Public Service
Ephraim’s professional path has included several areas of law enforcement. Her experience includes policing, investigations, training, and community-focused work.
That range of experience has shaped her career across Georgia. It also comes before her move into one of the Marshal’s Office’s senior ranks.
Her upcoming promotion will formally recognize her advancement within the agency. The September ceremony will mark the official start of her tenure as a colonel.
What Monica Ephraim’s Promotion Means for Black Women
Ephraim’s promotion creates a new milestone within the Richmond County Marshal’s Office. She will be the agency’s first Black woman to hold the rank of colonel.
Her career also offers an example of long-term advancement through public service. She has spent more than two decades working across Georgia’s law enforcement system.
For Black women considering careers in public safety, her rise offers a visible example of leadership. Her story also highlights the importance of representation within law enforcement agencies.
Ephraim will formally receive her new rank during the September promotion ceremony. Until then, she remains a lieutenant in the Marshal’s Office.
