At 5:30 p.m. the Boardman Police Department swore in it's first African American police officer.

Kaneesha Ellen Tensley, on top of being sworn in as an officer, recently ranked as a specialist in the Army Reserve and will soon graduate from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship.

Tensley is also a proud mother, and has one son. Her family says that this historic milestone not only highlights Tensley's accomplishments, but also serves as an inspiration to the community.

"Kaneesha from the start has been a great applicant. We do a thorough investigation. She's going to be a great police officer." Boardman Chief of Police Todd Werth said.