SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- On Wednesday, South Bend Police Department's Kayla Miller was promoted to the rank of Captain in the SBPD Detective Bureau, becoming the first woman to ever do so. 

Miller has over 20 years of experience as a police officer and will also serve as the Commander of SBPD's Hostage Crisis Negotiation Team. 

Miller spent time with the Indiana State Police and the Wabash County Sheriff's Office before joining the force in South Bend in 2012.

"Captain Miller's motivation to bring justice to victims is rooted in her own personal tragedy — her aunt was the victim of a homicide when Captain Miller was just five years old," the SBPD said.

Full statement from SBPD: 

South Bend, please join us in congratulating Kayla Miller on becoming the first female to achieve the rank of Captain in our Detective Bureau!

Captain Miller's promotion was acknowledged at this morning's Board of Public Safety meeting. A separate post will follow, detailing our second promotion of the day.

Captain Miller has more than 20 years of experience as a police officer. In addition to managing the Detective Bureau, Captain Miller also serves as the Commander of SBPD'S Hostage/Crisis Negotiation team and is the Coordinator of Michiana Crime Stoppers.

Captain Miller joined the South Bend Police Department in 2012 after beginning her law enforcement career at the Wabash County Sheriff's Department and Indiana State Excise Police.

She started at SBPD as a patrol officer but then transferred to the Detective Bureau, where she would eventually be promoted to Sergeant, followed by Lieutenant.

In 2018, she served as the lead detective in a mass shooting investigation, which led to two convictions and a 100-year prison sentence for one of the individuals convicted.

Captain Miller's motivation to bring justice to victims is rooted in her own personal tragedy — her aunt was the victim of a homicide when Captain Miller was just five years old.

Captain Miller's new badge was pinned on by her husband, SBPD Lieutenant Bryan Miller, effectively ending the brief period of two Lieutenant Millers on our department.

Congratulations to Captain Miller on her accomplishments!