Tanzanika Carter serves as Assistant Sheriff, the third highest-ranking position in the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office. She is the first African American female to hold this position. Before becoming Assistant Sheriff, she served with the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Police Department as Zone Commander for the Contra Costa County area. 

Assistant Sheriff Carter has 29 years of law enforcement experience. She has served in numerous capacities, including Field Training Officer, Detective, Hostage Negotiator, Chaplain Coordinator, Field Training Patrol Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Zone Commander. 

Assistant Sheriff Carter believes in 21st Century policing and advocates for procedural and equitable justice in the administration of justice. She assists with the Sheriff’s Office Racial Equity Plan, the Community Engagement Team, and the Recruitment Team. She also chairs the 30×30 Initiative Committee, striving to increase the representation of women in the Sheriff’s Office and to ensure policies and culture intentionally support the success of qualified women deputies throughout their careers.

Assistant Sheriff Carter holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies from California State University, Hayward (now known as East Bay), and a Master of Science Degree in Law Enforcement & Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego. 

She graduated from the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute #365 and the FBI National Academy, Session #282. She is also affiliated with numerous professional organizations, including the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, the California State Sheriffs’ Association, the FBI National Academy Associates, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. 

She is a lifetime member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and the vice president of the San Francisco Bay Area chapter. Tanzanika held the position of NOBLE National Chaplain for two terms and served about 4,000 members in that capacity. Currently, she is a member of the NOBLE Women Empowerment Committee, the NOBLE Sheriff’s Committee, and the NOBLE Corrections Committee.