The Selma Times-Journal

Det. Mamie Hale didn’t know why Selma Police Chief Jimmy Martin wanted to see her Tuesday, but she wasn’t entirely happy about it.

Martin had given her a police report and asked to talk to her about it.

Martin walked into the waiting area in front of his office and sternly asked her to come in.

When she walked into the office, a crowd of people beamed at her.

Tear immediately sprang into the 52-year-old’s eyes.

Martin smiled.

Mamie was overwhelmed by the attention and promotion.

Although she may have not been aware of it, public relations officials with the SPD said that Mamie was the first woman to make the rank of sergeant in the department’s history.

Hale started working with the SPD on April 1, 1991. She’s been working her way up the ranks of the police force ever since.

Martin said that Mamie took the sergeants exam about a year-and-a-half ago.

Based on her score on the test, Mamie was slated to be made sergeant as soon as a position came over.

Yesterday was the first day Mamie – known, by her coworkers as &8220;baby sister&8221; or &8220;ba’sis,&8221; didn’t know what to say.

Later, after she was sworn in by City Judge Christmas Green, she congratulated Martin on getting one over on her.