NEWBERRY — Allison Moore knew she wanted a career in law enforcement when she was in high school because she wanted to be part of something bigger and she wanted to make a difference.
Now, with more than two decades of law enforcement experience under her belt, the lieutenant is in charge of all criminal investigations for the Newberry Police Department, a position she has had since August when she was promoted.
Police Chief Roy McClurkin said Moore, a Newberry County native, is very deserving of the position.
“She is a very dedicated, loyal, and dependable employee. She is a talented team member of the department. She works hard and is always professional,” McClurkin. “I am very proud of her. I have all the trust and confidence that she can handle any situation.”
Moore brings more than two decades of experience with her to investigations, she started her law enforcement career in the Low Country, straight out of the Academy.
Moore graduated from Charleston Southern University in December 1995 with a major in criminal justice and a minor in psychology. On Jan. 8, 1996 she started the Academy in Columbia.
“On March 1, 1996 I graduated from the Academy. It was eight weeks back then, now it is 12. I was trained in laws, defense tactics, firearms, driving, practical problems,” Moore said.
After graduating, Moore began working for the Mt. Pleasant Police Department. Moore was in Mt. Pleasant for a year and nine months then left to return to the Midlands.
“I then went to the Clinton Police Department. I wanted to come back and work in my community and be around my folks, and that was in 1997,” Moore said.
Moore was with the Clinton Police Department for 10 years, starting as a patrolman. She was a detective briefly and then was back on the road as a sergeant.
“I worked for Clinton for 10 years and the only reason I left there is because they transitioned themselves into a Public Safety Department,” she said. “This is where firefighters became police officers and vice versa. I knew that firefighting was not for me, so I had to leave. I began working in Newberry in 2006, and I love it here in Newberry.”
Moore started out as a patrolman, and in April 2012 she was promoted to sergeant in the Juvenile/Crime Prevention section of the Investigative Division. Two years later she was moved into investigations.
Moore said that she found juvenile cases more challenging because of the maturity level involved.
In her new position as lead investigator, Moore will act as the General Session Court liaison and will investigate various crimes such as burglary, murders and sexual assaults.
Moore said she loves law enforcement and loves investigations.
“Investigation is kind of like a puzzle, you have pieces that you have to put together,” she said.
Moore is the first female officer to hold the lead investigator position, but feels she has earned the respect of the men around her.
As an officer, Moore said the all-day rollercoaster ride is the most challenging part of the job.
“One minute you are dealing with a very minor issue, then the next you are dealing with a huge major problem,” she said. “The most rewarding is being able to help someone.”
Personal Side
The 42-year-old Moore was born in Greenwood to Gerald and Jean Johnson and she grew up in Kinards. She went to Joanna Woodson Elementary School in Laurens County, but her mother worked in Laurens County District 56, which allowed her to go to school in that county.
She graduated in 1992 from Clinton High School. While in high school Moore decided she would go into law enforcement.
“Law enforcement is definitely a calling, and I realized that I wanted to be a part of something bigger with hopes of making a difference,” she said.
Moore is married to Richie Moore, who works for the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office. She has a stepchild, Meggan.
