With over 16 years of experience in serving communities, Captain Aprille Moore is passionate about public safety and building a beloved community. When she’s not on duty as Unit Commander for Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, she regularly volunteers with Black Girls RUN!, Jack and Jill of America, Junior League of Dekalb County, youthSpark, and most recently InCommunity - serving as a 2022 Hands On Atlanta Civic Fellow.
Learn more about Aprille, her passion for serving others and how you can join her efforts in building Atlanta’s beloved community.
What impact areas or pressing needs facing Atlanta do you care about most? Why?
The impact area that I care about most is public safety. As a 16 year law enforcement veteran I have seen a regression in community-police relations over the 8-10 years. We have all watched the news in horror at interactions between officers and citizens and been horrified, while other incidents have drawn criticism from allies and opponents. People request officers to be dispatched because they need help—help for a wide-range of things that honestly require specific interventions from other professions.
However, officers are often ill-equipped to manage the social issues they are encountering and often resort to alternatives that fail the public muster. Those social issues can be substance abuse, mental health, social inequality, economic disparities, access to healthcare, access to education and too many more to name. Although there is a need for agencies to have more personnel deployed, that has to be balanced against the need for more training to ensure officers are better equipped to express empathy and guide citizens to resources instead of negative legal outcomes. There are also groups that believe there is no need for law enforcement, but we know that is not the answer.
“We often look for the grand moments to serve as our inspiration, but I have found that no matter how big or small the volunteer task may be the impact is still felt by the organization you are serving. This was a gentle reminder to me that showing up is still the most important task in every volunteer effort I engage in.””
If we create genuine opportunities for law enforcement to build community alliances, in time we will see the unwavering become malleable to the concept. I am a part of this beloved community and work diligently to be a part of equipping officers to build it. I am invested in this issue because my profession has now become a passion. Women make-up less than 13% of law enforcement nationwide, yet there are several studies that women are having “a profound impact on the culture of policing” because they are less likely to use excessive force, skilled at addressing violence against women and sex crimes among more benefits. I know representation matters working in male-dominated profession and I want to inspire more young women to join the ranks of this noble profession. I am also a lifelong resident of the metropolitan Atlanta area raising two sons. The social issues that our community experiences touches my family as well. I take each day at work to make a positive impact on someone because I have personally witnessed the lasting affirmative impression.
What do you love most about the organization you volunteer with? Why do you volunteer with them?
What I love most about the organization that I volunteer with is the creative ways they involve the community in supporting the individuals they support. Individuals with disabilities are unique and often misunderstood. However, InCommunity creates experiences that truly makes them feel a part of the community they live in. For seven years I served as a full-time caregiver for an individual with a developmental disability. Volunteering with InCommunity is a way to honor him and continue to provide much needed support to this unique group of individuals.
Can you share a memorable highlight or moment you've experienced that might motivate others to volunteer?
In January for MLK Day of Service, I lead a service project with InCommunity at one of their day centers. The mission for this particular project was to re-organize the storage closet. Though we were few in number we were able to organize the closet and discard several items that were no longer usable. This was not a large event with lots of bells and whistles. However, InCommunity was extremely grateful for the assistance. We often look for the grand moments to serve as our inspiration, but I have found that no matter how big or small the volunteer task may be the impact is still felt by the organization you are serving. This was a gentle reminder to me that showing up is still the most important task in every volunteer effort I engage in.
Volunteering in April? Share where, when and if others can join you or how they can get involved.
InCommunity Gala Loews Atlanta Hotel 1065 Peachtree St NE Atlanta, GA 30309 Yes, we can certainly use volunteers the day before in the morning to assist with set-up and volunteers all day on April 23rd to assist with various volunteer tasks.
Inspired by Aprille’s story?
Help us engage and highlight incredible efforts like hers, by making a donation to Hands On Atlanta. It takes hard work AND financial support to tackle Atlanta’s most pressing needs. When you let our hands be yours, every $1 invested turns into $6 of economic impact! Donate now and help ensure a more civically engaged and equitable Atlanta.
![COX_jpg_color[1].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5939441b1e5b6c8ab18e524f/1585575053403-97BXOUA7L0450WDM09Y5/COX_jpg_color%5B1%5D.jpg)
