Coppin State University Alumna Sabrina Tapp-Harper '96 Wins Democratic Nomination for Baltimore City Sheriff

BALTIMORE — Sabrina Tapp-Harper '96 has won the Democratic primary for Baltimore City Sheriff, positioning her to become the first Black woman to lead the office since it was established in 1845, pending the November general election.

A 1996 graduate of Coppin State University, Tapp-Harper earned her bachelor's degree in criminal justice before embarking on a more than 30-year career in Baltimore law enforcement. She rose from cadet to major in the Baltimore City Police Department before joining the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office, where she became the highest-ranking woman in the agency's history when she was appointed assistant sheriff in 2022.

"I am deeply honored by this recognition from my alma mater. Coppin State University helped prepare me for a lifetime of public service, and I am proud to join the remarkable cadre of pioneering women whose roots run deep at Coppin," said Tapp-Harper. "From the enduring legacy of Fanny Jackson Coppin to the historic leadership of Dr. Maria Thompson, I hope my journey encourages the next generation of Eagles to lead with courage, integrity, and a commitment to serving others.

"Tapp-Harper's journey from Coppin's criminal justice classrooms to the cusp of leading Baltimore City's Sheriff's Office is a powerful reflection of what a Coppin education makes possible. We could not be prouder of her dedication to public service and to the city she has spent her career protecting," said Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins, president of Coppin State University. "Her story embodies the excellence and resilience that define the Coppin Eagle community, and we look forward to celebrating this historic milestone alongside her."

Tapp-Harper has credited her time at Coppin with shaping her career, citing the university's rigorous academic standards as preparation for the demands of public service leadership.

If elected in November, Tapp-Harper will become the first Black woman to serve as Baltimore City Sheriff in the office's 181-year history.

Editor's Note: Dr. Maria Thompson served as the seventh president of Coppin State University from 2015 to 2019 and was the first woman appointed to the presidency in the university's history.