The Brownsville Police Department promoted its first-ever female lieutenant during a Friday ceremony.

Edna-Mae Mata has been with the department since 2012. She started as a dispatcher and became an officer in 2017.

"It's an accomplishment that I've been working towards for a long time," Lt. Mata said.

Mata is one of three lieutenants who were promoted during the ceremony.

"It is an honor to break those barriers, and I'm hoping there's more females to follow," Mata said. "I am the example that it can be done."