In a historic milestone for Nashville’s local Kurdish community, Nopel Stella, a Kurdish woman, has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Metro Nashville Police Department. In her new role, she will oversee the domestic violence division.

Stella expressed gratitude to her family and the broader Kurdish community for their support throughout her career. “My family has always taught me the importance of helping people in need,” she told Kurdistan Chronicle. “As the oldest sibling and someone who grew up helping care for a disabled brother, looking out for others became a natural part of who I am.”

Stella added that these core values shape how she lives, leads, and serves, noting their deep connection to her Kurdish heritage. “Knowing what our people and our nation have endured — displacement, hardship, sacrifice, and generations of struggle — has taught me that strength is not only about surviving difficult circumstances, but also about continuing to show generosity, compassion, and care for others.”

Stella’s decision to pursue a career in law enforcement is deeply personal. Having survived domestic violence during her first marriage, she transformed her personal hardship into professional motivation. “I wanted to prove to myself and hopefully show other women who have been in similar situations that your circumstances do not have to define your future,” she said.

Stella moved to Nashville with her family in September 1991, joining what has become the largest Kurdish community in the United States. She began her career with the Metro Nashville Police Department in 2017, earning a promotion to Sergeant in 2022 before reaching the rank of Lieutenant in 2026.

Beyond her duties on the force, Stella actively engages in local community advocacy. She served on the board of the Kurdish Diaspora Center for a year and continues to participate in the Tennessee Kurdish Community Council.

“I have witnessed our community grow and succeed since coming to the U.S.,” Stella said. “I want to represent the Kurdish community with pride and strengthen the relationship between our community and law enforcement.”

She also emphasized her desire to inspire younger generations within the diaspora.

“I want younger Kurds to see that serving others and stepping into leadership is possible,” she stated. “Our generation carries the sacrifices of our parents and grandparents, but we also carry the responsibility to build something stronger for the generations that follow.”

Nashville is home to the largest Kurdish community in the United States; Stella’s promotion coincides with local celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first wave of Kurdish immigrants to the country.