Her police career ended when she permanently lost her sight after being injured by a prisoner.

Robinson was also an activist who founded the Sojourner Truth Home, a shelter for women and girls, while working on the force.

After retiring, Robinson continued her community activism, working with the NAACP, volunteering in shelters, and campaigning to desegregate schools and beaches.

[1][2] In 1916, when the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) was facing a shortage of officers after many enlisted to fight in World War I, Robinson was recruited to leave her community work to join LAPD as a volunteer.

[4][5] There were strict requirements for becoming a policewoman, such as being between age 30–44, being married, and holding a degree in education or nursing.

[2] Robinson was the first Black woman to be sworn into the LAPD, and one of the first African American policewomen in the country.

This was an early attempt at police reform, and one of the first times the LAPD sought to help the black community.

When there was a car crash on 18 September 1918, Robinson rescued two injured women and sent them to the hospital for treatment.

[9] In LA, Robinson was the first treasurer of the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) chapter.

[9][2] She also helped found the Sojourner Truth Home,[1] which focused on helping new black, female LA residents create strong connections in the city,[10] and volunteered with the Eastside Shelter for Women and Girls.