Her Story
About Pauline
Pauline Roberson serves as an Investigator with the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Sandersville, Georgia. With approximately 25 years of experience in law enforcement, including more than 10 years focused on investigations, she previously worked with the local police department before transitioning to the sheriff's office. Her educational background includes a master's degree in public administration from Walden University, a bachelor's degree in business administration majoring in supervision and management from Georgia Military College, and an associate's degree in criminal justice. Roberson initiated a GED program for women inmates at the sheriff's office around June of last year, securing funding through a local college. She is also an ordained minister, which she notes sometimes creates a personal challenge when balancing outreach with her law enforcement duties. Roberson attributes her success to her relationship with the Lord, which provides her strength. Her last chief encouraged her by saying she could do anything she put her mind to and would make a great chief due to her care for people and ability to build rapport. She advises young women entering the field to know their worth, be confident in what they bring to the table, and recognize that women are needed in these roles. Her core values center on family, religion, and treating others as she wishes to be treated. Looking ahead, she plans to retire in about four years and pursue teaching at the college level, emphasizing the importance of an open and diverse mindset in criminal justice.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Pauline
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would have to say the good Lord. My relationship with Him. Because I probably would have given up already. He gives us so much strength to keep on going.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I was given probably would be the fact that I can do anything. My last chief told me, 'Pauline, if you want to apply to be a chief anywhere, you would be a great chief, because even though I care for the people, I build rapport with the people, so just knowing that I could do anything that I put my head to. And that it was not a limit on where I could go.'
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Just knowing who they are, knowing who they are, and knowing that they bring worth to the table. Even though it's kind of like James Brown, they think it's a man's world, but it's really not. We need us women in these fields. And know what they bring to the table. Be confident in what you're bringing.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Because I'm a minister as well, it kinda makes me feel like I'm taken away from my outreach sometimes when I want to outreach, because I have to also sometimes lock them up. I feel like parts of my life contradict each other. One minute I'm ministering, and the next minute I got to lock you up, so that's kind of like the biggest challenge.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family, my religion. That's pretty much it. Making sure I treat people the way I want to be treated.
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