DC officer by day, champion boxer by night: The story of Tiara Brown

Fighting crime by day and her opponents at night, a DC police officer is making a name for herself in her precinct and in the ring.

Tiara Brown wakes up at 3 a.m. every morning and works out before putting on her police uniform and reporting for work by 6:30 a.m.

"I do a 10-hour work shift at the Sixth District Metropolitan Police Department then I head directly to the boxing gym where I spend my evening," Brown explained to FOX 5.

The officer is an undefeated champion boxer, who as an amateur won three gold medals at the USA Boxing National Championships and a gold medal at the 2012 Women's World Championships in China.

Her latest professional victory came against former world champion Dahiana Santana on Dec. 8 and now she has her sights set on a new title.

"I'm fighting for the IBF Intercontinental belt," Brown said. "When I win this belt, it's not just going to be an amazing moment for me, but for DC and my hometown back in Fort Myers, Florida."

While her career in the ring continues to take off, her career protecting the citizens of the District is flourishing as well. In March, she was named the 2019 Officer of the Year by the Metropolitan Police Department.

"For someone to call the police, they're obviously going through something, I like the fact that I'm helping that person out of whatever they are in," Brown described.

Brown's hard work both inside and outside the ring is what sets her apart from her opponents, her coach Marcus Patterson said.

"Anyone can have a good record. Anyone can have a good fight," Patterson detailed. "She has a great life. It's not just boxing that makes her unique, it's her whole life together that makes her unique."

Brown was all smiles and laughs during her interview with FOX 5, but when she steps under the ropes and into the ring, it's a completely different story.

"When the bell goes off, I do believe in inflicting as much pain as possible to my opponent," Brown said. "That's where I get the nickname 'The Dark Menace.' One of my old coaches said that I'm so happy and bubbly, but when the bell goes off and when it's fight day, it's like a dark cloud comes over me and I'm just a menace to whoever is in the ring with me."

Brown will put her perfect 7-0 professional record on the line when she faces Angel Gladney of South Carolina for the IBF Intercontinental belt on Saturday at the Entertainment & Sports Arena in the District.