Violet Hill Whyte (November 18, 1897 – 1980) was a teacher, the first African-American to be appointed an officer of the Baltimore Police Department in Maryland, and a community activist.

[1] She was appointed in December 1937 by Commissioner William P. Lawson, and served for 30 years, reaching the rank of lieutenant.

[2][3] In addition, she participated on numerous community boards and commissions, working to improve the lives of women and children especially in Baltimore.

Her father was university educated and an ordained minister of the African Methodist Episcopal Church,[4] the first independent black denomination in the United States.

– Violet Hill White[6]Whyte was appointed to the northwest district at Pennsylvania Avenue and Dolphin Street by Commissioner William P. Lawson.

She also served on the following Boards and Commissions: The Governor's Commission to Study Problems of Illegitimacy; cd Called to Testify on National Television on "Kefauver Congressional Committee on U. S. Narcotic Violations"; Secretary to the Board of Directors of Provident Hospital; Secretary to the Board of Managers of Boys' Village of Maryland; Member of the Speakers Bureau of the National Women's Christian Temperance Union; Governor's Commission – A Study "Juvenile Delinquency and Adult Penal Conditions"; Board Member – Maryland Safety Council; and Organizer and Chairperson – Holiday Institutional Committee.

[5] In addition to her police work, Whyte was an active volunteer: She collected clothing for prison inmates and made holiday baskets for the needy.