Kristal Turner-Childs is a brilliant, bold, and brave leader with an impressive 34-year career in law enforcement. She served 25 years as a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper, during which she became the first African American female Deputy Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. Notably, she was also the first African American female to command a troop and the second African American female to obtain the rank of Major in the history of the Pennsylvania State Police.
Before her distinguished career with the Pennsylvania State Police, Kristal accumulated nine years of experience as a correctional officer.
Kristal holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Elizabethtown College and a master’s degree from Central Penn College. She is also a graduate of the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command and the FBI National Academy.
Her dedication and excellence have been recognized with numerous awards, including an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Central Penn College, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC Athena Award, the NCBW Trailblazer Award, and the Greater Harrisburg YWCA Woman of Excellence Award.
Kristal has a passion for building confidence from the inside out and is known for her mantra of “passion with a purpose!” As a motivational speaker and community health advocate, she is committed to inspiring others and promoting well-being in her community.
